A Message from the OMWA Board of Directors
Dear Valued OMWA Members
The OMWA is proud of its work over the decades and has sustained a strong and engaged membership. We have a very active volunteer board, and we continue to maintain our reputation as a trusted advisor to the provincial government and a valued voice for more than 180 Municipalities and Public Drinking Water Authorities.
The input we have received from members over the years has been invaluable, and we would particularly like to thank the many members who have provided positive feedback on the work we have been doing to help them during the pandemic.
While we appear to be easing into a new normal, there has never been a more important time than now that we continue to work together to address the issues facing our industry. Whether it is the challenges resulting from the pandemic or other critical issues such as lead in drinking water, it is imperative that we continue to provide the collective experience and expertise from across the province to help our members manage these challenges effectively.
To support this, we continue to be an effective and respected advisor to decision-makers, developing briefing papers, creating policy statements and distributing educational material to government ministries and agencies. Our reports have led to changes to government policies and procedures.
Public expectations of municipalities have never been higher and it is crucial that we continue to help educate and promote the safety, quality, reliability and sustainability of drinking water in Ontario.
The OMWA believes transparency is essential when it come to our municipal water systems. We also believe it is essential in our own work. Our Annual General Meetings highlight the work we have accomplished and present our audited statements on how member fees are utilized. If you were unable to attend this year’s AGM and wish to see the presentation, please let us know and we can forward it to you.
We encourage you to reach out to any Board member if you have any questions, concerns or needs. We are always here to help in our joint efforts to protect our most precious resource – water.
OMWA Board of Directors
Special Announcement
Upcoming Events
Video: Remembering and Never Forgetting the Walkerton E. coli Tragedy
Video from the May 28 webinar is available for download here (MP4 format):
Download video (594mb)
Presenters:
- The Honourable Dennis O’Connor, formerly the Associate Chief Justice of Ontario and was appointed to oversee the inquiry into the Walkerton tragedy
- James Smith, was Ontario’s First Chief Drinking Water Inspector, and as Assistant Deputy Minister, established the Drinking Water Management Division with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change
- Carl Kuhnke, was appointed the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre in 2017
- Ed Houghton, Executive Director of the Ontario Municipal Water Association
Webinar: Detecting & Monitoring Covid-19 Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE)
Detecting & Monitoring Covid-19 Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE)
You are invited to attend this interesting and exciting complimentary webinar, hosted by the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA).
WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 2020 – 11:00 A.M.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Anyone responsible for the municipal water/wastewater services and who is interested in being involved in an exciting research project that can help your community through early detection and monitoring of wastewater for COVID-19. If you want to make a difference and participate in pilot-scale testing within your wastewater facilities to determine the feasibility of detecting OVID-19 signatures.