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Industry
Industry News

Isadore Day Elected Ontario Regional Chief for the Chiefs of Ontario

Congratulations to Isadore Day who was recently elected as Ontario Regional Chief for the Chiefs of Ontario. As Regional Chief, Day is the new representative at the Assembly of First Nations for Ontario's 133 First Nations communities. In this capacity, he is mandated to deal with the federal and provincial governments on certain issues relevant to First Nations within Ontario. Born in Elliot Lake, Day was elected as chief of Serpent River First Nation in 2005. Read an interview with Chief Day (courtesy CBC News)

 

Canadian and U.S. Leaders Sign Great Lakes Agreement
Leaders met in Quebec City to pledge a combined effort to reduce phosphorus inputs to the western waters of Lake Erie by 40 percent over the next 10 years, with an interim goal of a 20-percent reduction by 2020. More (courtesy of Water Canada)

 

Ocean Thermal Energy to Heat First Nation Town

The Government of British Columbia announced on June 9 that it will contribute $400,000 through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund to finance a pioneering clean energy project that will harness ocean thermal energy to heat Spirit Bay, a new Sci'anew (Cheanuh) Beecher Bay Band development. More (courtesy Water Canada)

 

WEAO and MOECC Partner in Student Design Competition 

The Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change are pleased to once again partner on the 8th annual WEAO Student Design Competitions (SDC). The groups have joined forces because of a mutual interest in sustainable infrastructure - creating competitions centered on resource recovery at municipal wastewater plants. The SDCs are intended to promote "real world" design experience for students interested in pursuing a career in water and wastewater engineering and sciences. More Information

 

 

 

events
Upcoming Events

American Public Works Association

August 30-September 2

Phoenix AZ

More Information

 

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

Aug. 16-19, 2015

Niagara Falls, ON

More Information

 

WEFTEC

September 26-30, 2015

Chicago, IL

More Information

 

World Water Tech North America

October 6-8, 2015

Toronto, ON

More Information

 

Waterline Summer 2015

 

sowcOCWA and SOWC Collaborate to Support Water Innovation in Ontario 

OCWA is pleased to announce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC). This MOU will support the research, development and demonstration of water technologies in Ontario, something both of our organizations are passionate about. With a goal of maximizing opportunities for the demonstration and adoption of innovative technologies and approaches, the collaboration will support the needs and interests of our clients and all stakeholders in the Ontario water sector. READ MORE

 

 

techOCWA Sponsors Technology Showcase at World Water Tech North America

Annual conference to be held October 6-8 in Toronto

Last year's expert panel at the OCWA-sponsored Technology Showcase during the World Water Tech North America Summit

OCWA is delighted to once again be the Technology Showcase Sponsor at the upcoming 2015 World Water-Tech North America Summit. The summit, being held in Toronto from October 6-8, will focus on city resilience and the future for advanced technologies in strengthening urban water networks.

 

Bringing together speakers from municipalities, private utilities, corporate investors, engineering giants and emerging technology companies, discussions will include new paths to finance and developing smart, connected infrastructure and closed-loop resource recovery systems. MORE INFO & REGISTRATION DISCOUNT 

 

 

summit

Pan-American Climate Statement Signed in Ontario During Climate Summit of the Americas

During the Climate Summit of the Americas, which took place in Toronto from July 7-9, Ontario and 22 other states and regions signed the first-ever Pan-American action statement on climate change. The Climate Action Statement signing, led by Premier Kathleen Wynne, includes commitments to support carbon pricing, ensure public reporting, take action in key sectors and meet existing greenhouse gas reduction agreements. Signatories included representatives from states and regions across the Americas, including Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Canada. READ MORE

  

algae Summer is Here... and so is Return of Blue-Green Algae

  With warm weather finally upon us, people across Ontario are enjoying their time outdoors, both on land and in our many lakes and rivers. Unfortunately - in some parts of the province - this warming of the lakes also contributes to the presence of cyanobacteria - more commonly referred to as blue-green algae. This bacteria forms naturally in lakes, rivers and wetlands under the right environmental conditions, which include warm, shallow water combined with lots of sunlight and nutrients.

 

When a large number of these bacteria form, it's called a bloom. These blooms can release toxins into the water that can pose a health risk to humans and animals during recreational use. Communities affected by the presence of blue-green algae formations may also notice changes to the odour and taste of their drinking water. READ MORE

 

 

 

OCWA's Hands-On Wastewater Training Ontario Draws Operators Across Ontario 

Participants take part in wastewater training during OCWA's second annual HOWW TO session in Wasaga Beach
 

Facilitated by industry experts, OCWA provided hands-on training for over 50 wastewater professionals during a two-day workshop held at the Wasaga Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. From June 16-17, the second annual Hands-On Wastewater Training Ontario (HOWW TO) session took operators through nine training modules from Basic Spill Management and Laboratory Analysis to Emergency Response.

 

In addition to superior hands-on training, participants were able to network and learn from each other's experience. In a post-event survey, participants unanimously agreed the training was well worth the time and would recommend the workshop to others in the industry. 
 

We look forward to seeing you at next year's HOWW TO session! More information will be available closer to the date.

 

 

 

communityOCWA in the Community

 

onewaterOCWA Successfully Pilots OneWater Education Program

Appreciation ceremonies were recently held in several communities across Ontario to thank teachers and students for participating in the OCWA OneWater Education Program pilot. The Program - born in 2014 out of a desire to strengthen and formalize OCWA's commitment to water literacy - offers materials for grade 8 students, where teachers were already focusing on water issues as part of the set-out curriculum. Our operators in the eight pilot communities worked with the teachers in the classroom to provide a unique hands-on learning experience for students. OCWA looks forward to expanding to further client communities in the 2015-2016 school year.

City of Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson and OCWA Operator Sean Beech present a OneWater appreciation plaque to St. Ambrose School

St. Noel Chabanel School representatives (at right) are presented with their OneWater plaque for their participation in the Wasaga Beach pilot. From left: Karen Lorente, OCWA Sr. Operations Manager; Robin Kind, OCWA General Counsel; Mayor Brian Smith of Wasaga Beach; Brad Hoover, OCWA Operations Manager

 

Essex Hub Removes 81 Pounds of Trash During the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up!

OCWA staff pose with their collected trash!

On May 13th, staff from our Essex Hub took to the shores of Colchester Beach & Marina to successfully remove 81 pounds of trash! The group was taking part in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, one of several OCWA hubs who participate in this initiative over the year. Way to go team!

 

 

Water, Water, Everywhere! OCWA Supports Children's Water Literacy


Young students learn how to be 'water smart' at the Peel Children's Water Festival

Students get hands-on with the water treatment model at the Peel Children's Water Festival

With spring comes OCWA's participation in children's water festivals and visits from the OCWA Water Education Trailer. We are happy to continue to support these kinds of water literacy opportunities for younger students. Our staff did a fantastic job sharing their knowledge of water and wastewater and how it gets treated... and also how we should treat our water sources to sustain them for future use!  

 

The OCWA Water Education Trailer recently visited a number of schools in the Essex area, while OCWA staff across the province set up information booths and games at numerous water festivals, including the Peel Children's Water Festival, The Essex Children's Water Festival and other events in Upper Thames, City of Brantford and Huron Perth.

 

From the level of interest and questions being asked, we are anticipating some future water operators in the crowd!

 


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Ontario Clean Water Agency
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1 Yonge Street, Suite 1700
Toronto, M5E 1E5