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Industry News

Region of Peel Demonstrates Commitment to Clean Renewable Energy

The Region of Peel recently helped complete a micro-hydro turbine project at OCWA-operated Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant, an innovative one-of-a-kind Ontario solution that will help reduce the facility's electricity requirements. Read More

"Bio-Bus" in U.K. Running on Biomethane Gas

 

Dubbed the "Poo Bus," the 40-seat eco-friendly vehicle can travel up to 300 km on one tank of gas, generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste. 

Dubbed the "Poo Bus," the 40-seat eco-friendly vehicle can travel up to 300 km on one tank of gas, generated through the treatment of sewage and food waste. Read More

Meanwhile right here in Ontario, the city of Hamilton has been using biogas from wastewater treatment plant digesters to generate electricity and heat since 2006. More recently it began producing biomethane and injecting it into the Union Gas grid, with the first injection in November 2012. Hamilton received an infrastructure grant (shared federal, provincial and municipal funds) to expand the capacity and biogas output of the plant, upgrade the gas to biomethane, and compress and inject it into the gas system. Other municipalities are also tapping into biogas and even the Toronto Zoo has adopted biogas cogeneration, transforming its mountains of manure produced by the zoo's 'residents' into usable electricity and fertilizer - "Poo Zoo!" Read more

 

 

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Upcoming Events

OWWA/WEAO Joint Seminar - Climate Change Adaptation

February 11

Vaughan (Toronto GTA)

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AFOA Canada National Conference

February 17-19

Winnipeg

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2015 OGRA/ROMA Combined Conference

February 22-25

Toronto

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Canadian Water Network - Connecting Water Resources 2015

March 10-12

Ottawa

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Waterline Winter 2014

welcome
Welcome Message From OCWA's President and CEO
 

Welcome to our latest edition of Waterline.

It's been a busy few months at OCWA and we are pleased to share some of our accomplishments with you. Highlighted in this issue is our work conducting 88 energy management reviews for municipal clients, identifying significant energy savings opportunities that could lead to overall reductions in the cost of running their facilities. The strong link between water/wastewater and energy (water/energy nexus) provides significant opportunities for the water industry as a whole.  By undertaking these energy reviews and working with clients and companies providing new and innovative technologies, we are identifying and implementing leading solutions that will impact the way we use energy in water and wastewater systems.

We've also made great progress on a number of community education and awareness initiatives.  Along with our partner the Clean Water Foundation - and with support from the Region of Peel and  the Regional Municipality of York - we successfully launched the I Don't Flush public awareness campaign to encourage the proper disposal of unused medications. Hopefully you've had an opportunity to view the public service announcement now playing on various television networks across Ontario. Working with operators and teachers across the province, we've also piloted our OneWater Education Program for grade 8 students in several of our client communities.

Other highlights of this edition of Waterline include our sponsorship of the recent World Water Tech North America conference in Toronto and our OCWA Jets team representing Ontario in the Operations Challenge at the WEFTEC conference in New Orleans.

On behalf of all of us here at OCWA, we wish you all the best for a happy, healthy - and safe - holiday season! We welcome your feedback and hope you enjoy this edition of Waterline. 


 Rob Andrews
President and CEO, OCWA

FlushOCWA Helping Ontarians Say I Don't Flush!

Public awareness campaign asks public to return unused medications to pharmacies

 

Urging consumers to take a closer look at their water use habits, the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) and the Clean Water Foundation (CWF) - in conjunction with York Region, the Region of Peel and the Health Product Stewardship Association - launched the I Don't Flush public awareness campaign October 14. Using various social media sites and a public service announcement (PSA), the campaign asks the public to return their unused/unwanted medications back to the pharmacy as opposed to flushing them down the toilet or drain, or throwing them in the garbage.

ET Canada's Rick Campanelli Participates in the I Don't Flush Campaign
TSN's Cabbie Richards Says "I Don't Flush"

Since launch, the public service announcement has been shared with hundreds of thousands of people through twitter, and via broadcast and print on CTV News, Water Canada and on Rogers Cable 10.

 

Please visit www.idontflush.ca for more information or be sure to like the campaign on Facebook and join the conversation on twitter (@Idontflushnews) at #idontflush. View the PSA on our YouTube channel:(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgD7obhbbFc).

  

energyMunicipalities Taking Advantage of Energy Savings

OCWA's Energy Initiative is on a roll! Since March 2013, OCWA - through a partnership with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) - has assisted 100 municipal clients with energy services and the assessment, identification and implementation of various energy conservation measures.

 

OCWA is committed to supporting clients by introducing innovative technologies to their pumping systems and treatment processes and to securing funding through the OPA conservation fund. OCWA has been working closely with OPA and most of the Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) - both gas and electric in the province - to connect our clients with the saveONenergy and gas programs.

 

OCWA's energy team is pleased to work with communities across Ontario, including Region of Waterloo, City of London, St. Marys, Stratford, Kawartha Lakes, Wasaga Beach, Saugeen Shores, Haldimand, Brockton, Muskoka and Central Elgin. If you would like to take advantage of energy savings in your municipality, please contact one of OCWA's energy specialists, Indra Maharjan at imaharjan@ocwa.com.

 

waterTechOCWA Sponsors Technology Showcase at World Water Tech North America
OCWA Sponsors the Technology Showcase Programme at World Water Tech North America Conference in Toronto

OCWA was pleased to support last month's World Water Tech North America conference, held at MaRS Discovery District in Toronto. OCWA's President and CEO moderated a session Enabling change: Developing a Regulatory Framework to Encourage and Incentivize the Adoption of New Technologies, leading a discussion on the pros and cons of regulation as a driver for innovation.

 

OCWA was also proud to be the sponsor for the Technology Showcase portion of the programme. Approximately 175 attendees heard from eight technology companies presenting their innovative products and services. The group had an opportunity to hear feedback from a panel made up of industry professionals, including John Thompson, Director of Environmental Services, City of Barrie; Eric Apps, co-founder of Aluvion, a legal solutions company; and OCWA's own Nick Reid, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

. 

 

 OCWA Jets Proud to Represent Canada at WEFTEC New Orleans
The OCWA Jets (from left): Richard Junkin, Carly McLennan, Marcel Misuraca, Jason Mank, Tom Nicol

 

The OCWA Jets descended on New Orleans for the Operations Challenge at the annual WEFTEC conference, held September 29 to October 1. The Ops Challenge teams were competing in five events including collection systems, laboratory, process control, maintenance, and safety.

The Jets, competing in division one, placed seventh overall, with over 40 teams total competing. Placing fourth in the maintenance event, they also took home a 'Spirit Award' for great team effort and enthusiasm!  Well done OCWA Jets!

inthecommunityOCWA in the Community

 

OCWA Helps Grade 8 Students Learn the Value of Water

Pilots OCWA OneWater Educational Program in several communities across Ontario

 

OCWA Operator Bob Leblanc Delivers OneWaterTM Program in Almonte.

Over the past few months, OCWA has been piloting a new education program geared at grade 8 students in Ontario. Working in several communities, including Wasaga Beach, Almonte, Amherstburg, Stratford and Petrolia, OCWA operators have been working with educators in the classrooms to introduce the new OCWA OneWaterTM program, providing hands-on demonstrations and activities that follow the set-out Ontario science curriculum for water issues.

So far the feedback from both educators and students has been extremely positive and OCWA looks forward to continuing to roll out the program to additional communities in 2015.

 

Grade 9 Students Spend the Day at OCWA During Take Our Kids to Work Day!

Program promotes importance of education, skills development and training

 
On November 5, OCWA hosted Take Our Kids to Work Day, a national program that encourages grade nine students to spend the day at the workplace of a parent, guardian, family friend or volunteer host. Students were treated to several presentations on water and wastewater, including a Health and Safety Awareness presentation for Young Workers, a microscopic view of 'what's in our wastewater', a presentation on 'water in the world' and a tour of the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant. The students also spent part of their day job shadowing their parent/host.

OCWA proudly supports the Take Our Kids to Work Day initiative; this program presents an opportunity for OCWA to demonstrate our support for youth career exploration, while demonstrating our strength as an employer of choice. Please visit
OCWA's Facebook page for more photos.

Fundraising BBQ at South Peel Facility Raises $16,750 for GlobalMedic

The third annual GlobalMedic BBQ was held in October at the Clarkson WWTP in Mississauga. This event - held for OCWA and Peel Region staff - was once again a tremendous success, raising $16,750 for this Canadian charity that provides safe drinking water to communities in crisis around the world.

OCWA has raised over $100,000 for GlobalMedic since we began supporting this worthwhile charity in 2012. Staff have also volunteered time to assemble water purification units - simple bucket filtration systems that can supply families with clean drinking water for a year. Visit www.globalmedic.ca for more information or to make a donation!

Foleyet Water Treatment Plant Open House

OCWA Operators invite public to see how clean water is delivered to the community

The Foleyet Water Treatment Plant held an open house the afternoon and early evening of October 15 to demonstrate the water treatment process. Interested community members, including local school children and educators, kept OCWA Senior Operator Chad Byce on his toes with all their interesting questions!

OCWA Operator Chad Byce and OCWA Business Development Manager Julie Culverhouse Welcomed the Foleyet Community

 

 

 


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