USING DATA TO ADDRESS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE VULNERABILITIES 

Municipal assets and public services are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, placing local leaders at the frontlines of risk reduction and adaptation. However, it can be difficult for municipalities and utilities to identify accurately their risk to climate change due to a lack of data. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has developed a case study series to help municipalities adapt their water, wastewater, stormwater and other infrastructure to climate impacts and improve data collection methods to support water infrastructure planning.

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Federation of Canadian Municipalities

NEWLY LAUNCHED SATELLITE SEEKS WORLDWIDE WATERWAY VISIBILITY

Scientists will soon gain access to millions of additional datapoints about Earth’s lakes, rivers, and oceans thanks to a new satellite mission co-launched by the US and French space agencies in December 2022. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite will orbit Earth for approximately three years. This mission will gather high-resolution data about annual fluctuations in ocean depths as well as the height of large lakes and rivers. From these measurements, scientists will be able to derive key metrics to understand the effects of climate change and the processes that drive flooding. Currently, this data originates mainly from water-level and tidal gauges — infrastructure that does not currently exist in the majority of Earth’s surface waters and coastlines, let alone in the deepest reaches of the ocean.

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WEF Stormwater Report

TOXIC TOILET PAPER AND ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ FOUND IN ENDANGERED KILLER WHALES 

A chemical used in the production of toilet paper and ‘forever chemicals’ has been found in the bodies of orcas in BC, including the endangered southern resident killer whales. The Institute for the Ocean and Fisheries at UBC, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientists analyzed tissue samples from six southern resident killer whales and six Bigg’s whales stranded along the coast of BC from 2006 to 2018. The chemical 4-nonylphenol (4NP) is a compound listed as a toxic substance in Canada and can interact with the nervous system and influence cognitive function. 4NP is often used in pulp and paper processing, as well as in soap, detergents and textile processing. It can leak into the ocean via sewage treatment plants and industrial runoffs, where it is ingested by smaller organisms and moves up the food chain to reach top predators such as killer whales. It’s known as a ‘contaminant of emerging concern’ or CEC, which refers to pollutants found in the environment but are not well-studied or regulated.

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Water Canada 

CITY OF VERNON RELEASES RECLAIMED WATER THROUGH IRRIGATION PROGRAM

The City of Vernon recently released high-quality reclaimed water into Lake Okanagan. At present, Vernon’s Water Reclamation Centre (VWRC) receives and treats approximately 13 million litres of influent every day, which is mostly domestic and commercial in nature, but also includes industrial wastewater. Following an advanced reclamation process, including the use of primary, secondary and tertiary levels of treatment, most of the reclaimed water (more than 98 per cent) is piped to MacKay Reservoir. Reclaimed water from the reservoir is used to irrigate local golf courses, ball diamonds, soccer pitches, agricultural land used for grazing and hay production, two seed orchards, a seedling nursery and other tree plantations. The irrigation programs are permitted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and allow the city to reuse valuable water resources and provide a unique service to landowners in the North Okanagan region. 

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Vernon Morning Star 

LAST CALL FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS! 

There is still time to submit presentation ideas and abstracts for the 2023 BCWWA Annual Conference! We continue to accept submissions until Monday, January 23. 

Don’t miss your chance to present your research, projects and expertise at BC’s premier water and wastewater event! We are looking for presentations that reflect and relate to our conference theme: Thriving Together Through Turbulent Waters. We want to hear about how our water community and professionals have continued to persevere, adapt and overcome while keeping up in a turbulent world of worldwide procurement issues, climate change, cybersecurity threats and ongoing challenges. 

Submit your presentation abstract here.  

Interested in contributing to education sessions in other ways? Apply to be a moderator! The BCWWA is looking for industry professionals to help facilitate technically relevant educational sessions at the upcoming Annual Conference in Penticton, BC. 

SUPPORT STUDENT SUCCESS

As we start to prepare our student teams for the upcoming BCWWA Student Design Competition in the spring, there is still time to become a sponsor! This unique business opportunity highlights your brand while supporting postsecondary students entering the competition and applying their academic skills to real-world projects in the water and wastewater sector. Your support helps make these annual competitions happen and for the winning team to compete internationally at the Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC). 

See our sponsorship brochure for available opportunities. Level 1 sponsors receive the résumés of all student competitors and the opportunity to be an advisor or a judge in the 2023 competition. 

Contact Angelene Fellows at [email protected] for more information. 

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE 2022 BCWWA MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

Each year, we distribute a membership survey to collect valuable feedback and opinions about the BCWWA to ensure our organization continues to provide value to you: our members.  

Filling out the survey is quick and easy. It should only take about 15 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. Participants can also enter a draw at the end of the survey to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards. 

Check your email inbox for a link to the survey! 

NEW YEAR, NEW WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Volunteering with the BCWWA is a terrific way to develop leadership skills and expand your professional network of water professionals and contacts. Members are invited to bring their industry experiences and knowledge to ongoing initiatives at the BCWWA, including conference planning committees, focus groups and moderator and peer reviewer opportunities. 

OPEN VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:



• Community Moderator, BC Small Water Systems Community Network (multiple positions available) 
• Member, 2023 Stormwater Conference Planning Committee (multiple positions available)  
• Member, 2023 Yukon Conference Planning Committee (multiple positions available) 
• Member, Website Functionality Focus Group (multiple positions available) 
• Moderator, 2023 Annual Conference Education Program (multiple positions available) 
• Peer Reviewer, BCWWA Education Program (multiple positions available) 

JOIN US FOR THE BLUE DRINKS NETWORKING EVENT!

Join BCWWA’s Young Professionals Committee and the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) BC Branch for Blue Drinks, an informal gathering of water professionals on January 24, 5-7 pm. 

The event invites water practitioners, academics, entrepreneurs, not-for-profit employees and others from across the water sector to meet for a night of discussion and networking at Parallel 49 Brewing Company.   

 

Blue Drinks is hosted by the Canadian Water Resources Association BC Branch, BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA), North American Stream Hydrographers, and IWA Young Water Professionals Canada. 

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