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Nick Benkovich given George Warren Fuller Award

Niagara Falls, ON, May 1, 2018: Nick Benkovich was named as the winner of the George Warren Fuller award, presented by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) at Ontario’s Water Convention, in Niagara Falls, today.

George Warren Fuller Awards are presented annually by the American Water Works Association to the sections’ respective selected members for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, the brilliant diplomatic talent, and the constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller. The recipients of the George Warren Fuller Awards are selected by the individual sections of the Association from among their own members to recognize publicly the contribution toward the advancement of water works practice.

Sudbury-born Nick Benkovich retired from his long-time position as Director of Water & Wastewater Services for the City of Greater Sudbury at the end of December, 2017. He also stepped down from his position as director on the Ontario Municipal Water Association board at that time. He had been on the board since 2004, and served as its president in 2008.
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Call for submissions

The Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) is looking for articles for our next installment of (Water)3, coming this spring.

The topic is Water 101: What Every Municipal Politician Should Know.

Whether they are an incumbent member of municipal council running again, or a candidate seeking election for the first time, we want to be the source for education about municipal drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems that politicians can easily access and refer to. We want to help politicians to be fully and accurately informed about municipal water issues even before they file their papers. And not just about drinking water systems: we want to know how you teach them about your wastewater and stormwater facilities and management, too.
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OMWA launches revamped website

The Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) is pleased to announce a new look and new functionality for its website. It incorporates both the previous website’s content and the new (Water)3 posts in a WordPress standard platform.

We hope that this new look makes it easier for visitors to find the information and data you need. If you encounter problems or have questions about access, please contact us.

 

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President’s message for Pipeline, Spring 2018 issue

This year will Ontario will have two important elections: a provincial election in June, and a municipal election in October. We have the opportunity to bring our issues, our concerns and our comments to candidates ahead of these elections, to make sure the importance of water is recognized in their campaigns.

We must be prepared for change: expect new faces will appear in the legislature; possibly we’ll see new ministers, new aides, new deputies, and even perhaps a new government in power. Water agencies and associations will once again need to quickly establish relations with Queen’s Park, make or renew contacts, put ourselves in the forefront as advocates to be engaged when the next government comes to legislation and policy-making.

We face the possibility similar upheavals in the municipal sector: new councillors, new mayors, new directions. Both lower-tier and regional governments will be affected. And even when incumbents are returned, we should expect changes in position, in responsibilities and committee appointments.

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OMWA Premiere Water Symposium Attracts International Attention

Ontario Municipal Water Association President’s Message: “OMWA Premiere Water Symposium Attracts International Attention”

“Delivering water 24 hours a day, seven days a week without interruption is a basic necessity for public health.”  

Quoted by Water Director, Paula Keyhoe of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, featured in an article by WaterTAP, and a recent Speaker at World Water Tech North America 2017.

As an elected official dealing with municipal water systems, and their oversight responsibility, these words resonate intensely. We value and rely on the security and benefits of our public water systems for our constituents and the health of our communities, throughout our province.

While hosting the Premiere Ontario Municipal Water Symposium in partnership with Water Tap, Ontario Water Innovation Week, and World Water Tech North America this past October 30-Nov. 3, I contemplated York Region’s “ONE WATER ACTION PLAN 2017” and this particularly statement,

“The full value of “One Water” can be unlocked “only” through partnerships”.

Partnerships that are forged by mutual “interest, goals and respect.”

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OMWA board of directors and executive committee, 2017

OMWA’s new board of directors

The Board of Directors of the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) are pleased to announce that at their Annual General Meeting held May 9, 2017 in Niagara Falls, the following slate of Directors was approved.

Political Directors

  • Rosemary K MacLennan               Municipality of Trent Hills
  • Mark Howson                                      Sault Ste. Marie PUC
  • Peter Chilibeck                                   Lakefront Utility Services Inc. (Cobourg)
  • Lynn Dollin                                            Town of Innisfil
  • Doug Lawrance                                  Town of Sioux Lookout
  • Andy Bruziewicz                                 City of Sarnia
  • Patrick Merlihan                                 Township of Woolwich

Management Directors

  • Andrew Henry                                  Lake Huron and Elgin Area Water
  • Nick Benkovich                               City of Greater Sudbury (retired, 2018)
  • Jim Keech                                           Utilities Kingston
  • Amy Martin                                       City of Guelph
  • John Thompson                              City of Barrie
  • Susan MacFarlane                          Lambton Area Water Supply System

Also at the Annual General Meeting, Andrew Henry, who has been the OMWA President for the past three years, announced that he would be stepping down and will become our Past President.

Following the 2017 AGM the OMWA Board held a Meeting of the Directors and the following changes to board’s executive were made:

  • President Andrew Henry (Manager, Lake Huron & Elgin Area Primary Water Supply Systems, London) stepped down after serving three years, and is now Past President;
  • Vice President Rosemary Kelleher-MacLennan (Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Trent Hills) was elected President;
  • Vice President Peter Chilibeck (Chair, Lakefront Utilities, Cobourg) is now Chairman of the Board;
  • Board members John Thompson (manager of Water, Wastewater and Environmental Operations, City of Barrie) and Doug Lawrance (Mayor, Municipality of Sioux Lookout) were elected Vice-Presidents.

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Developing and writing effective standard operating procedures

Part one: About SOPs

Ken MacDonnellBy Ken MacDonnell, P. Eng.
Professor, Fleming College

Over the years, and especially since the Walkerton tragedy, there has been a general shift for municipalities and other public entities to operate with a clear set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Whether it be as a requirement to conform to DWQMS, a compliance requirement for your ECA, the result from a visit from a Ministry of Labour / Ministry of Environment and Climate Change inspector, or you were ahead of the curve and understood that SOPs were a part of a Best Management Practice, the fact is that SOPs are here to stay.

The most critical component in the above title is the development and writing of effective SOPs. In order for SOPs to be effective they should:

  • Clearly define the purpose of the SOP (i.e. why is the task required);
  • Identify all tools and equipment required to perform the SOP;
  • Provide easy and concise instructions to complete the task.

Finally, the SOP must take into consideration and identify all possible hazards and safety precautions required to complete the tasks associated with the SOP safely.

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