It seems we’ve had a reprieve in the implementation of the US tariffs until April 2nd, but the Canadian retaliatory tariffs have remained in place – and will expand in April as well.

CWWA’s Climate Change Committee meets quarterly as a full committee to discuss projects across Canada and to share knowledge and advice but between these meetings we have been actively working on other activities. The Risk Assessment Sub-Committee recently published the first publication in the Climate Change Knowledge Series, which will build into a series of documents providing guidance on climate risk assessments to municipalities. The document can be found online here. In addition, the Conference Sub-Committee has started work in advance of receiving the abstracts for this year’s NWWC and has been soliciting ideas for curated sessions at the conference. Recent smaller side activities have including meeting with staff from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada on future collaboration, discussing any feedback on the latest federal infrastructure report card in relation to climate considerations amongst water utilities, and expanding membership of the committee.

CWWA is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with the UtilityPULSE group. As their name suggests, they take the pulse of the utility sector. For many years, they have honed their surveying and reporting methods in the electrical utility sector, providing valuable insight to their utility leaders. Now they have partnered with the CWWA to offer these stakeholder engagement tools with our water and wastewater sector. 

Over the past year, malicious actors have targeted vulnerabilities in edge devices to compromise organizations around the world. The Canadian Centre for Cyber Security has released a joint publication on the Security Considerations for Edge Devices for Canadian Critical Infrastructure Partners. We are issuing this publication to encourage swift action on recommended measures that organizations’ IT professionals can take to protect networks.

Health Canada has released a draft guideline for Arsenic in Drinking Water. This guideline technical document outlines the evaluation of the available information on arsenic with the intent of updating the guideline value for arsenic in drinking water. The purpose of this consultation is to solicit comments on the proposed guideline, on the approach used for its development, and on the potential impacts of implementing it.

 

This document proposes a MAC of 0.005 mg/L (5 µg/L) based on a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies showing evidence of lung cancer from arsenic in drinking water. Lowering the proposed MAC from 10 µg/L to 5 µg/L would lower the estimated excess lifetime risk of lung cancer (above the Canadian background level) from 7 to 3.5 cases in one thousand people.

 

CWWA's Drinking Water Quality Committee will be reviewing the document and submitting comments if there are any concerns.

Stakeholder Engagement - This is the first in a series of articles prepared by UtilityPULSE as part of a strategic partnership with the CWWA

 

Perception drives reality. In today’s complex water and wastewater landscape, your stakeholders' beliefs — whether accurate or not — directly impact trust, satisfaction, and support. Without actively seeking to understand these perceptions, organizations risk navigating blind spots that could result in costly missteps. Recognizing these blind spots is the first step to addressing them and building a stronger future.

The Prince Edward Island government has published a checklist for property owners or developers in Prince Edward Island. It provides a checklist to help identify potential wetlands on a property before development. Key steps include checking wetland maps, looking for signs of water, water-loving plants, and wet soils. If wetland indicators are present, contacting environmental authorities is advised.

ES&E Magazine

 

EPA leads largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup in agency history The EPA is leading the largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup in its history in Los Angeles County, having surveyed 6,022 properties and removed 80 electric vehicles and energy storage systems. With over 1,300 personnel, the agency is forming 60 teams to clear hazardous materials from over 13,000 residential and 250 commercial sites. Coordination with various stakeholders is underway to expedite the process, including technical assistance for water system restoration. The operation, which began on January 28, has cleared 75% of affected properties in under three weeks. Despite this, soil testing by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers post-cleanup is not planned.

Energy Safety Canada

 

A worker drowned while collecting a water sample from a lined water storage reservoir, highlighting the risks of working alone near water sources. Companies are urged to implement controls such as prohibiting solitary work near water, evaluating reservoirs for safety features, and determining necessary personal protective equipment. Workers should be aware of the hazards, have access restrictions, and follow safety protocols, including emergency response plans. The incident serves as a reminder to assess risks, especially when conditions change, and to consider open water sources as potential confined spaces requiring permits and

monitored entry.

 

Water Canada

 

Texas Tribune

 

The state’s water supply faces numerous threats. And by one estimate, the state’s municipal supply will not meet demand by 2030 if there’s a severe drought and no water solutions are implemented.

Sask Today

 

Studies done by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have shed light on the health risks of drinking asbestos from AC water pipes.

 

Back in 2003, the government of Sask. announced the Communities of Tomorrow partnership, which was a five-year, $30 million investment to "develop, demonstrate and commercialize technologies and management practices for sustainable communities," according to the government's website.

 

Commentary: CWWA produced a fact sheet on asbestor water pipes, posted on our website. While it is well known that inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to cancer, ingesting asbestos in drinking water does not pose a significant risk. 

Join hosts Susan Gardner and Ann Mitchell for a candid conversation with Grant Ainsley — a former journalist turned PR expert — who reveals the challenges and opportunities of communicating with the media. Discover strategies to overcome media jitters and control your narrative. Tune in as he explains how proper preparation, soundbite mastery, and confidence can transform every media interview into a success story.