My URL & References

Water Lovers, for your information...

The URL addresses for the links I have created on my blogs are:

http://www.awwa.org/index.cfm?showLogin=N

http://www.canadians.org/

http://www.eco.ca/

http://www.oacett.org/page.asp?P_ID=98

http://www.owotc.com/

http://www.owwa.com/hm/

http://www.owwco.ca/eng.htm

http://www.wcwc.ca/en/

http://xcgtraining.com/ecom.asp

References:

http://www.awwa.org/index.cfm?showLogin=N

The American Water Works Association is the leading authority in North America, in the area of water treatment. They oversee our provincial association, the Ontario Water Works Association. Their website is a vast storehouse of information, and membership options, including affordable student memberships. In fact, AWWA refers to themselves as “The Authoritative Resource on Safe Water” (AWWA, 2010). AWWA is 125 years old, and is recognized by the US Congress, in issues of water policy and public health; and launched the Water Research Foundation. The organization boasts more than 57,000 members in 43 sections, and in 100 countries outside of North America. The Home Page contains a lot of information, with specific link categories across the top of the page. It is well organized, and relatively easy to navigate. The only drawback for Canadian members is that most of the training and resources provided by AWWA are not recognized in Canada.


Council of Canadians celebrates UN General Assembly recognition of human right to water(2010). The Council of Canadians. Accessed July 28th, from http://www.canadians.org/media/water/2010/28-Jul-10.html.

http://www.canadians.org/media/water/2010/28-Jul-10.html

The Council of Canadians was created in 1985, with the goal of promoting social, economic, and environmental justice. This year they are celebrating their 25th anniversary. Over the years, the organization has contributed positively to many important issues. Membership is an option on the site. Although many of their contributions have been positive, their methods, and motives appear to be excessively socialist; therefore website users should be aware of the agenda and overwhelming bias of the site. That does not mean that the site should be dismissed. The link I have listed above takes the navigator to a press release from the Council of Canadians, on a very important issue; that of a basic human right- access clean drinking water and sanitation.

This group was also instrumental in permanently shutting down Site 41 in Barrie. Site 41 was designated for a new landfill facility, but was being constructed over one of the most pristine aquifers in Ontario, if not Canada. Links on the site appear to work, but the site is very busy, and challenging to navigate, partly due to the vast number of links.

Entry-Level Drinking Water Operator Course (OIT).(2010). Walkerton Clean Water Centre. Accessed July 30th, 2010, from http://www.wcwc.ca/en/training/entrylevel.asp?_mid_=1168.

http://www.wcwc.ca/en/training/entrylevel.asp?_mid_=1168

The webpage provides information regarding the Entry Level Drinking Water Course, which is offered by the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. There are four main links that take users to:

• Fact Sheet. This sheet is supplied by the Province of Ontario, and summarizes the topics covered in the   course, and how to register for the course.

• Registration Guide. Provided by the WCWC, and addresses the different stages of the course, and frequently asked questions.

• Application form. This includes contact information, and payment.

• Course Schedule. Provides different locations and dates for training.

The page is easy to navigate, and contains links on the right hand side, to all of the different topics covered on the site. All of the links work. Information is presented in a clear and logical manner. This training centre is very credible, with an excellent reputation. It was created after the Walkerton Tragedy, to address the issue of training, development, and certification of water operators; to prevent further tragedies.

http://www.owwa.com/hm/

The Ontario Water Works Association is a branch of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Their vision is to be the “leading resource dedicated to safe, sufficient, and sustainable water from source to tap”. Founded in 1916, the Association has undergone a number of changes through the years, and in 1971, was split into different chapters, including the Ontario division. OWWA’s goal is to provide leadership in water management, through education, innovation, science and technology, and by actively participating in the development of government policies.

The site contains a number of links including tradeshows, community activities, member services, and job postings. In their library link, navigators can find information on the Walkerton Inquiry, which was a defining moment in time, for the province of Ontario. From this tragedy, and subsequent report and recommendations, came the regulations that are in place today. As always, these are always evolving. The site is easy to navigate, and the pages are not overwhelming in terms of content. Credible and respected, the Ontario Water Works Association is a valuable resource for future and current water operators.

Just how important are Professional Associations and Memberships?

Test Well

Never underestimate the importance of memberships, Water Lovers!




The benefits of membership are invaluable, especially when you are just starting out in your career. They can be an invaluable source of training, information, and future job contacts. I, myself, belong to two organizations. The first one is called the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA), which is administered through the American branch; known as the American Water Works Association (AWWA); the link is: AWWA. Many of the standards for water treatment, in Canada, have been adopted from AWWA standards. The link is: OWWA.


The second site is not specifically related to water, but will be of interest to you if you are planning to acquire at least two years of post secondary education; as two years of education in your chosen field is the minimum required, to be considered for membership. The process of certification has many steps. The organization is called OACETT, and it stands for the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. The link is: OACETT. It allows practitioners in various fields to obtain their CET designation; which stands for Certified Engineering Technologist (OACETT, 2010). It is a professional membership that is recognized in Canada, and required by more municipalities every year. An extra benefit is the fact that they offer student memberships at a great price! And remember, memberships in professional associations are usually a tax deduction, on your income tax return.

Many different organizations and associations are in existence, and it is up to you, to decide which ones will benefit you and your career.


I highly recommend becoming familiar with what employers in your chosen field are looking for, in a potential employee. Research job postings now, and make a list of employers you are interested in working for in the future. Even though you are not ready to apply now, READ THE POSTINGS-look for educational requirements, training, etc. This way, when you are ready to graduate and begin your job search, you will be ahead of the game, and ahead of many other students who never thought to do this. Many postings also include salaries, which will give you an idea of how much you will make, as you progress through the different class levels.

Should access to clean water be declared a basic human right? The UN says “YES!” (Barlow, 2010).

Greetings, Water Lovers!


I’ve decided to start with a slight u-turn in this blog, water lovers, to discuss the issue of clean water around the world. We are very fortunate to live in Canada, where we have access to safe drinking water, a necessity of life. Many in poorer countries are not as “lucky”. On July 28 of this year, the United Nations voted in favour of recognizing clean, safe water, and sanitation, as basic human rights. The resolution, put forward by Bolivia, passed with 124 states voting yes, and 42 abstaining. Canada abstained from the vote. Regardless of our non-participation, the human right to water and sanitation is now formally and explicitly recognized in international law. It took over a decade of hard work by dedicated individuals and organizations to achieve this victory, and it is only the beginning. Information can be found at this link: Council of Canadians.The Council of Canadians has been involved in many different projects, not just water, and was instrumental in helping shut down the now infamous SITE 41 in Barrie (Council of Canadians, 2010).

Switching gears, it is time to talk about the different training options available in the water industry. It can be very confusing, so I will share a few tips with you. The first training organization you should become familiar with is the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, which was created after the Walkerton tragedy. The link is WCWC. If you are unfamiliar with the events of Walkerton, I suggest you conduct a little research, as many of  the regulations and acts that exist today, were created after this awful event. This centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario. In addition, there are several private training facilities, which are frequently utilized by municipalities. The first is called the OWOTC, the Ontario Water Operators Training Centre, and the link is OWOTC. The course calendar divides training into different categories, including distribution, treatment, waste water, etc., at various locations throughout Ontario. Fees vary.

The other company is called XCG Training and Operations. They offer a wider variety of training courses, and more locations than the OWOTC. Again fees vary, and can be in excess of $1000.00. The link is XCG.


Very Important Note:

If you are planning to work in Water Treatment, Distribution, or both, you must obtain your Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Certificate. It consists of two parts, a self study, and one week of classroom training. Various locations are available. The cost is $1300.00, and includes the self study manual. The course is available exclusively through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, and the link is Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Certificate ( WCWC, 2010). Topics covered in the course are listed below:


1.  􀂃 Protecting the health of the public

2.  􀂃 Regulations governing water quality

3.  􀂃 Water related math and drawings

4.  􀂃 Water characteristics and sources

5.  􀂃 Disinfection

6.  􀂃 Treatment

7.  􀂃 Sampling

8.  􀂃 Equipment

9.  􀂃 Well operators

10.􀂃 Distribution

11.􀂃 Safety

For further informationFor further information on registering for the course, contact:


Corinne Louther
Walkerton Clean Water Centre
Phone number: 519-881-2003 or toll-free at 1-866-515-0550
E-mail: clouther@wcwc.ca


Alternately, if you are enrolled in an Environmental Technology program, it may be offered as part of the Water/Wastewater Course, as it is at Georgian College (Georgian College, 2010). Once you obtain your diploma, you must send it, along with your transcript, to the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. They will then issue to you, your Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Certificate. But you must check, to make sure the course you attend, is accredited by the Centre. A list of colleges can be found on their website.

Thanks for reading...

Water Operator Licensing-A Beginners Guide

There are four distinct categories of licensing in the province of Ontario, and they are:

1. Water Treatment Subsystem
2. Water Distribution/Distribution and Supply Subsystem
3. Wastewater Treatment Facility
4. Wasterwater Collection Facility

Within each of these categories, there are four classes of licensing, referred to as Class 1-Class 4 (OWWCO, 2010).


Step 1 involves deciding which of the four categories above you would like to pursue. My advice to you is to write all four, just as I did. The cost of the exam is $30.00, regardless if you write one of them, or all four. The program is administered by the OWWCO-Ontario Water Wastewater Certification office, and the link is: OWWCO.


To obtain your OIT licensing, the province of Ontario insists on the following:

• You must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma(OSSD) or equivalent
• Pass the exam
• Pay the exam fee of $30.00

In addition, you need to purchase the OIT Examination Study Guide, for $45.00 (OWWCO, 2010). The exam schedule is found on the  website, located on the far right side of the page, in a rectangular box marked  Examination Schedule. The information for the self study guide is: Examination Study Guide.

The picture on the right hand side of the screen
is a sample of my OIT License for Distribution.

"Heads Up" Water Lovers!

Unfortunately, a passion for water and the environment is not enough to guarantee your success in the water industry. An aptitude in certain subjects is also necessary. Your background should include at least an elementary understanding of physics, biology, chemistry, and technical math (ECO, 2010). I highly recommend attending a community college for at least one year, preferably two or three. Today, most employers are looking for candidates with at least two years of post secondary education in the environmental field.

 I, myself, am a third year student in the Environmental Technology program at Georgian College. Although the subjects I mentioned earlier may seem rudimentary, an advanced understanding of them will be required to progress through the different class levels in water, being Class 1-Class 4. As a third year student in Environmental Technology, with 4 Operator in Training Certificates, and my Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Certificate, I can confidently say that my background in Environmental Technology has given me a marked advantage. I am able to quickly understand the many complex scientific aspects of water treatment. Something to consider. Until next time...

Firefighters on the Muskoka River

ATTENTION WATER LOVERS!

Welcome!

Some Tools of the Trade

 Are you passionate about the environment? Would you like to make a difference? Consider a career in the challenging and rewarding field of water, as a Certified Operator. Through my blogs I will share tips and insights I have learned on the road to certification. Employment opportunities in this industry are good, and demand for certified operators is expected to increase in coming years.


Topics to be discussed in future blogs include:

1. Aptitude for the Water Industry.
2. Beginners Guide to Licensing.
3. Government and private training options.
4. Importance of Professional Associations and Memberships.

And so, let the journey begin...