Part 3: Preparing for Ontario Consultation on a More Stringent Drinking Water Standard for Lead
Overview
The OMWA is hosting a 3 part webinar series on the impacts of lead.
The final Part 3 explores new technologies for controlling lead service line impacts and examines future policy options, to develop effective strategies and approaches in advance of future provincial consultation opportunities on a more stringent standard.
Webinar Host:
Kathy Vassilakos, Member of Stratford City Council; Vice President, OMWA
Kathy Vassilakos is a member of the OMWA board as an elected official. She has been a Stratford City Councillor since 2014 and is the current Chair of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee. She is a member of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee, Social Research and Planning Council, and Huron Perth Public Health Board. Kathy has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto and has worked in biotechnology as a project leader and consultant.
Webinar Speakers:
Geoff Britnell
North American Business Development Manager, FER-PAL
Geoff joined FER-PAL in May of 2012 and is currently the North American Business Development Manager. His main duties for FER-PAL are to develop as well oversee the execution of preparing sales campaigns across Canada as well as the Mid-Western United States. Geoff is active in government relations as well as the development of marketing materials and sponsorship activities for the company. While at FER-PAL, Geoff has helped the company to grow rehabilitating over 6-million meters of watermains in over 80 municipalities. He is also active in the trenchless technology industry as an active member of the AWWA, APWA and Centre for Advancement of Trenchless Technologies.
Theresa A. McClenaghan
Executive Director and Counsel, CELA (Canadian Environmental Law Association)
Appointed as Executive Director of CELA in November 2007, Theresa McClenaghan holds an LL.B. (1984) and a B.Sc. (Geol.) from Western (2020) and an LL.M. in constitutional law from Osgoode (1999) as well as a diploma in Environmental Health from McMaster (1999). Focussing on environmental health and environmental safety, particularly in the areas of energy and water, Theresa has practised public interest environmental law both in private practice and then at CELA. In 2006-07, Theresa was senior water policy advisor to the Ontario Minister of the Environment where she was responsible for overseeing the passage of the Clean Water Act, and implementation of the remaining Walkerton Inquiry recommendations. Theresa is co-author of the three-volume annotated Ontario Water Law. Theresa has represented CELA on the Low Income Energy Network steering committee since its foundation over ten years ago and is a Board member of the Canadian Water Network.
Jim Smith,
OMWA Director, Professional Engineer
Jim Smith is a Professional Engineer who has been active in the field of drinking water management and in the development of air, water and soil standards for the protection of the environment and human health. Jim’s career spanned over 30 years with the Ontario Government in which he held a range of science policy positions including Director, Standards Development Branch, Ontario’s First Chief Drinking Water Inspector, and as Assistant Deputy Minister, established the Drinking Water Management Division. His work and the work of his division in the field of drinking water management has been recognized through a number of awards. Most recently Jim held the position of Chair, Ontario Drinking Water Advisory Council from 2015 to 2020. Jim holds a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s University and an MBA from the University of Toronto.
Mike Mortimer,
OMWA President, Regional Hub Manager for Ontario Clean Water Agency
Mike has worked for over 18 years in the municipal sector and is currently Regional Hub Manager with the Ontario Clean Water Agency. Throughout his years in distribution, Mike has understood the challenges of lead services and coming up with consistent, long term solutions to address the issue. Mike graduated form Western University in 1997 with a BSc in Environmental Biology and holds Class 4 certification in both Water Treatment and Water Distribution and Supply.
