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Looking to 2026, I would like to reaffirm OCWA’s commitment to delivering reliable, safe, and high-quality services to the communities we serve. As we continue to navigate the evolving trade and economic landscape together, we remain ready to support you.

This dedication is evident in the work our team does every day – and in the stories featured in this issue of Waterline. Highlights include a recap of our fall Water Talks webinars, which focused on strategies for managing water distribution and sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure; recognition of colleagues through the OCWAmarine Awards; and coverage of OCWA’s participation in Ontario’s Cyber Security Summit. The issue also includes an update on our OneWater® Education Program, which is well underway with Grade 8 students engaging in hands-on water science and stewardship workshops this fall, as well as our Women in Water event, which fostered important conversations about equity, health, and professional growth in our industry. You will also read about the recent gathering of the OCWA First Nations Advisory Circle, which I was honoured to attend.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Your feedback is invaluable as it drives OCWA’s growth and strategies to be able to enhance our services and solutions to better support you. On behalf of everyone at OCWA, I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season and all the best in the year ahead.

~ Iman Hashemi, President & CEO

Watch a year-end message from Iman here

OCWA Water Talks: Piping Up About Pipes

Highlights from Our Fall Webinar Series

Every year, OCWA hosts Water Talks – a free webinar series where OCWA and guest subject matter experts share practical advice on managing municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It’s a chance to dig into real-world challenges and learn strategies that you can put to work in your own operations.

We closed out our 2025 Talks by “Piping Up About Pipes.” This webinar mini-series zeroed in on managing water distribution and sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure with confidence. OCWA subject matter experts offered practical strategies and best practices to help system owners reduce risk, plan ahead, and keep systems running reliably. Thank you to everyone who joined us and brought thoughtful questions to the discussion.

Here’s a look back at what we covered:

Taking the Worry Out of Distribution Piping – Best Practices for your Watermains

Presenter: Sonya Semanuik, P.Eng., PMP, ENV SP

Sonya’s session took a close look at the realities of managing municipal water distribution systems, especially in the wake of high-profile main breaks like Calgary’s in 2024.

She broke down the factors that contribute to system failures, including aging infrastructure and the challenges of tracking underground assets. The discussion covered practical steps for risk reduction, such as regular valve exercising, field verification, and the use of GIS mapping to improve emergency response and maintenance planning.

Participants gained a clearer understanding of the risks associated with buried infrastructure and the importance of proactive maintenance. Sonya shared best practices for condition assessment, data collection, and record keeping, offering strategies municipalities can use to improve asset reliability and plan for repairs. Real-world examples from Ontario communities provided practical context for these operational challenges.

Managing the Flow: Strategies for Success in Sanitary & Storm Sewer Infrastructure

Presenter: Carla Coveart, P.Eng.

Carla’s session offered a strategic overview of managing sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure, with practical guidance for industry professionals working in both urban and rural settings. The presentation walked through the essentials of building and maintaining a digital asset inventory and addressed common challenges faced in sewer management. 

Carla provided guidance on specialized field techniques, including flow monitoring and inflow and infiltration investigations. She also demonstrated rehabilitation planning and condition assessment strategies for both municipal infrastructure and private property assets.

Planning for the 2026 Water Talks series is underway, and we would like to hear from you. What topics or challenges in water, wastewater and stormwater would you like us to cover? Please get in touch with us at ocwa@ocwa.com. Your suggestions help us keep the series relevant and useful.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us in 2025. See you next year for more OCWA Water Talks!

OCWAmarine Award recipients with President & CEO Iman Hashemi.
Front row from left: Kerry Tuyen, Tim Woolner, Lynette Nicholson, Aimée Hennessy, Lisa Babel, Julie Mather, Spencer Friend, Iman Hashemi. Back row from left: Dale Dillen, Zach Gossmann, Edward Smith, Mike James, Ty Smith, Rawle Roopchand.

Earlier this fall, OCWA celebrated the recipients of the 2025 OCWAmarine Awards – our formal recognition program where colleagues nominate one another to recognize outstanding accomplishments and contributions to our shared goals. Categories include Leadership, Health, Safety & Wellness, Quality or Client Service, and Innovation & Sustainability.

These awards showcase how employees bring OCWA’s values to life every day. They also reflect the dedication and expertise behind the services our clients rely on. Congratulations to the following teams and individuals who were OCWAmarine recipients this year:



Leadership

Lynette Nicholson, General Manager, Kawartha Trent Region; Zach Gossmann, Maintenance Foreperson, Essex Region; Spencer Friend, Operations Supervisor, Kawartha Trent Region

Health, Safety & Wellness

Sanofi Team (Sanofi Wastewater Treatment & Recovery Plant, Toronto); Kawartha Trent Region Team

Quality or Client Service

Aimée Hennessy, Business Development Manager, Eastern and Trent Regions; Edward Smith, Lab Technician, Kawartha Trent Region

Innovation & Sustainability

Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Team (Innovation & Infrastructure Solutions); Union Water Staff, Essex Region (Union Water Supply System)

On October 7 and 8, OCWA participated in the 2025 Cyber Security Summit hosted by the Ontario government’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence and the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement.

The summit brought together leaders from across the public and private sectors to share insights, foster collaboration, and strengthen Ontario’s digital resilience. Around 400 participants attended in person, with hundreds more joining virtually.

From left: Joshua Shapiro, Global Director for Threat Intelligence, CrowdStrike; Eric Dorman, VP of Information Technology, OCWA; 
Deborah Clark-Forster, Senior Account Executive, Cybersecurity, Ministry of 
Economic Development, Job Creation & Trade.

OCWA contributed to key discussions, with President & CEO Iman Hashemi speaking on the “Cross-Sector Collaboration in Cyber Security” panel and Vice President of Information Technology Eric Dorman joining the “Cyber Threat Intelligence and Global Tensions” panel.

The summit provided OCWA with a valuable opportunity to engage as a trusted water and wastewater partner in addressing cyber security challenges. Agency staff from multiple departments also attended, building OCWA’s knowledge and capacity regarding cyber security.

At OCWA, we take cyber security very seriously. We use third-party audits to assess and mitigate potential cyber security vulnerabilities, and have developed stringent security protocols to protect the Agency’s network, operational and other data, and data centre assets. This includes testing the effectiveness of the Agency’s data recovery plans for key enterprise-wide applications, and regularly updating them as required.

Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) recently published its drinking water system Best Management Practices (BMPs), which aim to assist in the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water. These practices outline processes to optimize efficiencies within a drinking water or quality management system and provide information to aid in future planning. 

While implementing all 24 BMPs is not mandatory, operating authorities for municipal residential drinking water systems are required to consider them at least once every 36 months as part of Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS).

OCWA is actively reviewing these BMPs and incorporating relevant practices into our operational plans to optimize performance for our clients.

For full details on the BMPs, please refer to Drinking Water System Best Management Practices on the MECP website.

If you have questions or would like to talk about what these changes mean for your system, please reach out to your local OCWA representative or email ocwa@ocwa.com.

Pictured at the Six Nations Water Treatment Plant, from left: Johanna Kirkbride, Regional Manager, First Nations Regional Hub; Phil Tangie, Advisory Circle member; Chad Byce, Senior Operations Manager, First Nations Regional Hub; Mili Sharma, Business Analyst; Catherine Flannery, Marketing Specialist; Stephanie Barnes, Asset Maintenance Specialist, First Nations Regional Hub; Bob Watts, Advisory Circle Chair; Alex Loft, Six Nations WTP operations; Richard Junkin, VP Operations; Wilhelm Rinas, General Counsel; Joshua Claus, Six Nations WTP operations; Iman Hashemi, President and CEO.

OCWA’s First Nations Advisory Circle recently gathered in-person for an opportunity to listen, learn and build relationships beyond the virtual setting.

The gathering brought together two members of the First Nations Advisory Circle – Chair Bob Watts (Six Nations of the Grand River) and Phil Tangie (Michipicoten First Nation) – along with OCWA colleagues who regularly support the Advisory Circle’s work.

The gathering took place in Six Nations Grand River Territory and included a traditional ceremony to support our shared work. The group also enjoyed a tour of the Six Nations Water Treatment Plant, arranged by Mr. Watts, as an opportunity to learn more about the community’s approach to water treatment.

The First Nations Advisory Circle is comprised of Indigenous individuals who represent diverse backgrounds, experiences, and communities. Its purpose is to provide advice and recommendations that help OCWA better understand the challenges First Nations face – not only in water and wastewater treatment, but also in the context of their unique experiences, culture, and history. This collaboration ensures OCWA’s work reflects respect, partnership, and shared responsibility.

As part of OCWA’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Blueprint, OCWA has committed to building a diverse workplace where we celebrate differences, remove barriers and promote equity and accountability. This year, one of our key focus areas is supporting women through conversation, growth, and development.

On November 18, OCWA hosted its Women in Water virtual event, an opportunity for employees to come together and talk about women’s health, equity, and experiences in the workplace and across our industry. Guest speakers offered insights on women’s health and equity at work, and participants discussed practical steps to foster allyship and support.

Special thanks to Elaine Gilliland, Director of Water & Wastewater Operations at the Region of Peel, for sharing her lived experience as a female leader in the water industry, and for discussing inclusive hiring practices, women’s empowerment, and how we can collectively improve the working life of women in the water industry.



Women in Water is just one way OCWA is supporting women through conversation, growth and development. Earlier this year, we hosted a leadership conference for our women leaders, and soon we will be launching a mentorship circle to help women build connections and opportunities across the Agency.

A group of eager Grade 9 students tour the Arthur P. Kennedy Water Treatment Plant in Mississauga to learn about the water treatment process.

On November 5, OCWA welcomed Grade 9 students for Take Our Kids to Work Day, a program that gives young people a glimpse into the working world. Joined by parents, family members and friends, the students spent the day exploring the world of water and wastewater treatment and learning about OCWA’s role in keeping water safe and clean in communities across Ontario.



OCWA is proud to support learning opportunities like this, and we hope the students left with a deeper appreciation for water, the environment and the people who protect it every day.

Embracing the Spirit of the Season

OCWA teams across Ontario are embracing the spirit of the season by giving back and joining local celebrations. From participating in Santa Claus parades to holding toy and winter clothing drives, employees are finding meaningful ways to support their communities during the holidays.

Building Water Literacy Through Our OneWater® Education Program

OCWA’s OneWater Education Program is back for the 2025–26 school year, bringing water literacy to Grade 8 classrooms in client communities across Ontario.

Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, students learn about the water cycle, water and wastewater treatment processes, and why smart choices about what goes down the drain matter. Guided by OCWA’s water and wastewater professionals, the program helps students understand how these systems work and what they can do to protect them – empowering the next generation to make informed decisions about water stewardship.

This fall, more than 600 students participated in OneWater workshops, bringing our total to more than 6,500 students since the program began in 2014.

Teachers have shared enthusiastic feedback about the program’s impact. Here’s what one educator had to say: “My class thoroughly enjoyed this hands-on demonstration. Students were engaged in meaningful, curriculum-focused science labs and had the chance to speak directly with the people who keep our water safe. They came away with a deeper understanding of our water system and a call to act as water stewards in our local area.”

Thank you to our dedicated OneWater volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment and to our host schools for welcoming us into their classrooms! Looking ahead, we are excited to bring OneWater to even more schools in winter and spring 2026, continuing to inspire the next generation of water stewards.

New Year, New Opportunities to Connect

These events are a great opportunity to share ideas, discuss challenges and explore solutions that support strong water, wastewater and stormwater services. We look forward to conversations about asset management and funding, regulatory compliance, innovative approaches to stormwater and wastewater operations, climate adaptation and resilience – anything that matters to your community.

If you spot the OCWA booth at an event, drop by and say hello to the team! We would love to hear what’s on your mind.

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