Spring 2025 Watermark Magazine: One Water, One Future

Duane Strayer promoted to Vice President, Urban Infrastructure

Martin Jobke, P.Eng., President & CEO of the Associated Engineering group of companies, is pleased to announce that Duane Strayer, P.Eng., has been appointed as Vice President, Urban Infrastructure.

Duane has over 26 years of experience at Associated Engineering, encompassing infrastructure projects across Western Canada. He has led the delivery of projects ranging from master plans to design, construction, and commissioning of water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, specializing in trenchless technologies. In his new role, Duane will provide advice and support to our clients and staff across Canada. Duane also serves as Chair of our Technical Development Council.

Associated Engineering is a proudly Canadian, employee-owned company. We are passionate about building vibrant, healthy, and resilient communities that support economic growth. That is why sustainability is part of every project we undertake, and how we operate our business.

Pioneers For 50 Years

As the pioneer of CIPP, Insituform® has been at the forefront of renewing critical infrastructure with unmatched engineering, innovation, and technical services for 50 years. Our essential services and proven trenchless solutions protect critical pipelines and deliver peace of mind to customers and communities.

With a half-century of trenchless installation expertise, the people, purpose, and products of Insituform have stood the test of time, and we are committed to meeting the challenges of the changing pipeline rehabilitation industry ahead. To learn more about how our best-in-class trenchless solutions can elevate your underground pipeline system, call 1-866-982-0257 or visit insituform.com.

Over 55 Years of Integrity in Building Excellence.

For over 55 years, Maple Reinders has provided reliable and dependable solutions to municipalities for the construction, operations, maintenance and optimization of water and wastewater treatment and conveyance infrastructure. We’ve brought our expertise in design, project management and value engineering to over 100 water projects across Canada. We can build excellence together.

Sarah Pratt

of Communication, Outreach and Engagement

Watermark inquiries should be sent to: spratt@bcwwa.org

Articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the BCWWA.

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NEGIN TOUSI

BCWWA President

INNOVATE, COLLABORATE, ELEVATE

I’m excited to share this message as we prepare for the BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Victoria, April 27–29, 2025. This year’s theme, ‘One Water, One Future,’ highlights the interconnectedness of our water systems and communities and the opportunity to shape their future together.

Our education program features sessions on First Nations collaborations, wastewater treatment, energy optimization, workforce development and public engagement – key topics in addressing climate resilience, population growth and aging infrastructure. We’re also thrilled to welcome keynote speaker Geoff Green, an educator, social entrepreneur, and Order of Canada recipient, whose insights on environmental stewardship will inspire us in navigating the future of water sustainability.

One of the most anticipated events returning to the conference this year is the Operator Challenge. This exciting competition allows BC and Yukon’s top water and wastewater operators to showcase their skills in a fun and collegial environment. Teams will take part in the Pipe Repair Challenge and the ‘Test the Waters’ trivia event. In the spirit of good fun, the BCWWA Board will also be fielding a team for the trivia challenge – though we will leave the pipe repair to the experts!

Building on the excitement of last year’s ‘Best of the Best’ BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test, we’re bringing the competition back with a twist! Due to overwhelming interest from a diverse range of utilities – from large metropolitan systems to small vineyard treatment facilities – we’re introducing multiple competition categories this year.

While in Victoria, the BCWWA Board and our volunteers are eager to connect with elected officials and decision-makers. Advocacy is a key pillar of our 2025–2027 strategic plan, and this year’s conference, set in the heart of provincial decision-making, offers a prime opportunity to amplify our voice. With shifting political landscapes in Canada and the US, industry impacts remain uncertain, making it more important than ever to make our voices heard and provide decision-makers with informed insights from across BC and Yukon.

As we approach the Annual Conference, our flagship event of the year, I want to take a moment to highlight a few of the accomplishments of the past year:

In 2024, we had the privilege of serving 4,552 members, with over 400 actively engaged in BCWWA Communities of Practice and Groups. Our annual conference in Whistler welcomed more than 1,250 attendees, and we returned to beautiful Whitehorse for an unprecedented double-header workshop following the success of the 2023 conference. Throughout the year, we delivered 99 classes, providing high-quality education to 1,275 students. Additionally, in collaboration with industry partners, we developed and conducted 13 customized training sessions, addressing key gaps and ensuring specialized learning opportunities where they were needed most.

THIS YEAR’S THEME, ‘ONE WATER, ONE FUTURE,’ HIGHLIGHTS THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF OUR WATER SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE TOGETHER.

One significant and collaborative development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the BC Section of the AWWA and four other Canadian sections regarding reciprocity and intellectual property for Cross Connection Control (CCC) Certification in Canada. This agreement strengthens our efforts to ensure high standards in backflow prevention training and certification nationwide.

As we approach our AGM, we want to thank outgoing board members Mike Homenuke and Samira Harris for their dedication. Mike served five years on the Board, serving in all officer roles, including President. Samira spent three years, with one year as the Secretary Treasurer, and played a key role in revitalizing and growing the Leadership Council. Their leadership and commitment have been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate their service. At the AGM in April, we will also welcome two new directors to the Board, who will help guide BCWWA into the future.

As we gather in Victoria, let us take this opportunity to celebrate our shared achievements, engage in meaningful discussions, and work together toward a resilient and sustainable water future. I look forward to seeing you all there!

LEE COONFER BCWWA CEO

ONE WATER: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

In the last issue of Watermark, I spoke of a rising tide lifting all boats as an analogy for the value of an association to an industry sector or interest group. The reason behind my use of an analogy is this: If the BCWWA does its job to support its members, we help place this organization as a true ‘voice of record’ for the sector and position the BCWWA as a subject matter expert on behalf of the water sector in broader conversations about the One Water sector.

THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO ENGAGE AND SPARK DISCUSSION THAN AT THE BCWWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE, WHERE OVER 1,000 DELEGATES AND ATTENDEES FROM ACROSS BC AND YUKON’S WATER SECTOR AND BEYOND WILL COME TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE.

BCWWA NEWS

2025 STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION TEAMS VISIT COQUITLAM WATERSHED SITE

In November 2024, teams participating in the 2025 Student Design Competition met in Coquitlam for a site tour of the Nelson Creek Watershed. For this year’s competition, the BCWWA has partnered with the City of Coquitlam to present an exciting project to assess the feasibility of different green and grey infrastructure to improve stormwater runoff quality within the Nelson Creek Watershed, which is downstream of Blue Mountain Park. Teams met with city staff to tour the Hoy Creek Hatchery and park sites to understand the technical and design needs of the project and ask questions.

Thank You to the SDC Sponsors:

CUPE municipal workers provide safe, reliable and public water and wastewater services to communities across British Columbia.

EMERGING BC OPERATOR ATTENDS BCWWA YP SUMMIT AWARD

In efforts to connect young industry professionals with growth opportunities, the BCWWA has selected Luke Magnall as the 2025 YP Summit Award recipient to attend the WEF/AWWA Young Professionals (YP) Summit in Dallas, Texas, earlier in February. Luke Magnall is an operator-in -training, working on various water systems throughout the west Kootenay region of British Columbia since moving there three years ago. This year, he started to work in the field of water and wastewater treatment to provide services to multiple systems in the area, particularly local communities served by independent small water systems. Luke will be sharing his experiences from the Summit with Watermark readers in an upcoming issue!

THANK YOU, CO-OP TEAM MEMBERS!

It is always a pleasure to welcome new team members hailing from co-op programs at local post-secondary institutions. Meet the co-op students who have joined us in the past couple of months to strengthen marketing and communication initiatives for our conference and member services. Jas Mangat joins BCWWA in the Marketing & Communication Co-op role and is a marketing major at Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. Mika Melles is continuing in a part-time role with the communications team and is also an SFU marketing major. Elsa Qiu is the Marketing & Communication Co-op student supporting the small water systems program and is a communication major at SFU.

Like water itself, innovation flows through every challenge and shapes new possibilities. For over 90 years, Carollo has pioneered breakthroughs in water technology – from resilient infrastructure protecting growing communities to groundbreaking solutions safeguarding public health and ecosystems. At Carollo, innovation isn’t just about what’s new – it’s about what’s necessary. Every advancement, every improvement, and every solution flows from a single purpose: shaping a future where water enriches every community it touches.

BCWWA EVENTS CALENDAR

Please note that this calendar is for informational purposes only and may be subject to change. Please contact the event host directly for further information.

2025 DATES

May 6–9, 2025

May 14–15, 2025

May 25–29, 2025

May 27–29, 2025

June 8–11, 2025

June 18–20, 2025

July 15–18, 2025

September 14–17, 2025

Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology Baltimore, MD

Canadian Water Network Blue Cities 2025 Mississauga, ON

CWRA 2025 National Conference Penticton, BC

SWAN 2025 Conference Berlin, Germany

AWWA ACE25 Denver, CO

IWA–YWP Canada Conference 2025 Edmonton, AB

WEF/WEAT Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference 2025 Houston, TX

AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference & Exposition Orlando, FL

September 27 – October 1, 2025WEFTEC 2025 Chicago, IL

October 7–9, 2025

October 20–22, 2025

November 2–5, 2025

November 18–19, 2025

AWWA WaterSmart Innovations Reno, NV

WCWWA Canadian Residuals & Biosolids Conference Winnipeg, MB

CWWA National Water and Wastewater Conference 2025 Victoria, BC

SCADA & OT Conference & Trade Show New Westminster, BC

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THE WATERLINE

The latest water industry news, brought to you by the BCWWA

PREPARING FOR PFAS: THE NEXT CHAPTER OF WATER REGULATION IN CANADA

In August 2024, Health Canada finalized its objective value threshold for 25 types of PFAS in municipal drinking water. The action turns on a new objective of 30 nanograms per litre (ng/L), a threshold introduced and consulted on in draft form since early 2023. However, it was not confirmed by Health Canada until August 2024. Municipalities can now test for all 25 listed PFAS, and when added together, they shouldn’t exceed that number. BCWWA past president and BC market lead for Carollo, Stephen Horsman, spoke with ES&E about BCWWA’s PFAS Task Force and what local governments in BC are doing to prepare their utilities and get ahead of PFAS concerns.

Source: Environmental Science & Engineering, November 29, 2024

CITY OF VANCOUVER TO CONSIDER REQUIRING WATER METERS FOR EXISTING HOMES

A new member motion proposed by Vancouver city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung of the ABC party directs City staff to explore reducing water usage and increasing the installation of water meters, including for existing single-family houses, multi-family houses, mixed-use strata and commercial buildings. According to Kirby-Yung, reducing water usage among households and businesses could slow down the municipal government’s pace of continually expanding water infrastructure capacity. Additionally, it could decrease the volume of bulk water the municipal government purchases from the Metro Vancouver Regional District, with the City’s water systems designed to handle 2.5 times more than the baseline/normal usage.

Source: Daily Hive, January 18, 2025

MEET AWWA WATER CHAMPION: KEITH KOHUT

In January 2024, AWWA published a recognition piece on Keith Kohut, a drinking water project manager and process mechanical engineer with Association Engineering based in North Vancouver. Keith is an AWWA George Warren Fuller award recipient who has contributed to their 2030 Strategic Plan and governance think tank as part of the Water 2050 initiative. He is also a long-time supporter of the BCWWA, serving on its Board of Directors and currently the CAC member-at-large.

Source: American Water Works Association, January 23, 2025

VANCOUVER COUNCIL APPROVES DIRECTIONS FOR THE HEALTHY WATERS PLAN

City of Vancouver Council unanimously approved the key directions for the Healthy Waters Plan that will guide long-range sewage and rainwater management in Vancouver. The recommendations include a shift for the City to help manage the pace and financial impacts of sewer infrastructure investments, achieve better water quality outcomes and help address climate change impacts like flooding. The Healthy Waters Plan aims to ramp up efforts on the elimination of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) through a more targeted and strategic approach to sewer separation. The plan also recommends the expansion of green rainwater infrastructure (GRI) and natural areas to remove pollutants from rainwater runoff and help communities adapt to a changing climate.

Source: City of Vancouver, February 4, 2025

A NEW WAVE OF ACTION:

What Premier Eby’s Mandate Letters Mean for BC’s Water Sector

October 2024’s BC general election saw the swearing-in of 27 cabinet ministers to lead BC’s high-profile ministries. As we begin what is already a politically charged year, Premier David Eby delivered mandate letters to his new cabinet earlier in January 2025.

Premier David Eby.

Province of British Columbia Mandate letters outline the specific priorities each ministry is responsible for with some boilerplate instructions about what challenges the government collectively aims to tackle. For the Premier, this means:

• Growing the economy to create good jobs across BC

• Reducing costs for families

• Strengthening health care

• Making our neighbourhoods and communities safer

These letters outline succinctly the highlevel commitments and policy direction the government intends to take and what actionable steps will meet these commitments. They arrive at a time when the focus on growing the BC economy and protecting vital public services is at the forefront.

But what do these mandate letters mean for BC’s water sector?

As the sector responsible for delivering highquality drinking water and maintaining water systems, we play a front-line role in ensuring water supply and wastewater management for British Columbians. We understand that this work as part of the ‘One Water’ sector which extends water management beyond the water cycle to encompass all water users, from commercial, agricultural, industrial and consumer uses to infrastructure investment and environmental sustainability. The release of these mandate letters underlines the touchpoints between our sector and the government and where the BCWWA

is a conduit for propelling this relationship. Here are some of the touchpoints within specific ministries relevant to the water sector:

MINISTRY OF WATER, LAND AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

This ministry works with other natural resource sector ministries and is responsible for the effective development of water, land and marine use policy and planning. Priorities include working with First Nations to develop a new vision for water, land and resource management and leading the BC Drought Information Portal. The BCWWA is pleased to see that contributions and provision of subjectmatter experts to the ‘Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment’ workshops that took place in July 2024 and recommendations from its 2023 ‘Are Our Water Systems at Risk? Assessing the Financial Sustainability of BC’s Municipal Water Systems’ report have helped shape the priorities of Minister Neil’s portfolio.

with Premier Eby.

credit: Province of British Columbia

Minister Neill’s mandate letter prioritizes “work with communities affected by drought, or expected water shortages, to support community-based priority setting between industrial, agricultural, residential and environmental uses for water. Ensure better coordination between water regulators and local communities in advance of drought to support effective response during an emergency.”

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

An outcome of the 2024 election was the merging of two ministries into the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. The BCWWA welcomes this convergence of key priorities as the province works to provide affordable, safe and appropriate

housing and support local governments in building healthy and vibrant communities. We see these priorities as deeply intertwined, and we look forward to working with Minister Kahlon on how the water sector can support local governments and housing initiatives by improving and expanding critical water infrastructure assets while addressing water conservation and environmental protection.

In the Minister’s mandate letter, Premier Eby prioritizes “work(ing) with local governments to achieve housing targets and address concerns related to infrastructure.”

OFFICE OF THE PREMIER

Beyond our interactions with specific ministries, we also acknowledge our commitment to keeping the Premier updated on relevant information regarding the sector. The Office of the Premier is the point of contact for ensuring that Premier Eby is privy to our industry perspective and provided with fact-based information and subject matter expertise. We look forward to building this relationship and engaging the Premier on matters relevant to BC’s water sector.

The released mandate letters are a direct line to the top priorities and overall policy direction of the Premier and his cabinet. We hope this review serves as a resource in understanding the specific ministries that connect with the water sector, what chief concerns are held by British Columbians and how they may be actioned on their elected officials. But more so, how BCWWA intends to connect our members with the work of the BC’s provincial government.

To learn about BC Cabinet mandate letters, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/ governments/organizational-structure/ cabinet/cabinet-ministers.

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL UPDATE

Connecting Our One Water Sector

In November 2024, the co-leads and co-chairs of BCWWA’s committees and communities, along with the Board of Directors, met in Richmond, BC, for the annual meeting of the Leadership Council. The Leadership Council is an enriching and productive day dedicated to cross collaboration and connection across the committees and communities that serve and unify BCWWA’s membership.

Presently, the BCWWA hosts seven active communities of practice, including one group, that work to connect members who hold a particular technical knowledge or interest in a specific area of the water sector. This includes cross connection control, drinking water, green infrastructure, SCADA & IT, source control, wastewater management and young professionals.

Committees perform a specialized function at the BCWWA and are utilized to advise the organization and prepare feedback on the regulations, policies and guidelines impacting the water sector. Committees have been created for conference planning, student design competition, reconciliation work and young professional development. Technical advisory committees support cross connection control

programming, drinking water and SCADA and operational technologies (OT) subject matter.

The Leadership Council is always a ripe opportunity for the BCWWA to hear directly from its committee and community leaders on ways to enhance our networks, best serve our membership and inform BCWWA’s strategic direction. The day included a review of BCWWA’s new Strategic Plan, updates on committee and community activities over the year and many discussions on how to optimize our new priorities and activities to best support member networks.

We also heard from two special guests, Greg Lyle from Innovative Research Group Inc. and Brian Bedford from the BC Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. Greg Lyle, a public policy and public opinion expert with over 30 years of communications and opinion research experience, spoke with members about the current state of BC’s political landscape following BC’s provincial election and the role industry experts play within the changing public opinion landscape. This was followed by a presentation from Brian Bedford, executive director at the Ministry with a focus on infrastructure funding for local government and First Nations, who spoke to

members on how to effectively engage with the government on areas of mutual priority. As the BC government welcomes a new cabinet, how industry leaders engage with elected officials and provide resources and information to support the decision-making process is a key first step. As a voice for BC and the Yukon’s water sector, we look forward to continuing to engage BCWWA members with elected officials on the issues and topics concerning a healthy and sustainable water environment.

How to get involved

BCWWA membership is more than just a service; it is an opportunity to join a network of over 4,500 water professionals who share your interests and experiences. Whether you are interested in joining a community of practice to expand your network and exchange best practices with peers or take on a leadership role by joining the Board of Directors – there are many ways to get involved, make the most of your membership and contribute meaningfully to the work of the sector. To learn more, visit our “Get Involved” page on the BCWWA website to learn more: bcwwa.org/site/membership/join/ bcwwa?nav=sidebar.

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Putting Learning into Practice: Young Professionals Symposium Returns to

BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show

By Andrew Sheroubi and Satej Kulkarni

In the lead-up to the 2025 BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Victoria, BC, the Young Professionals (YP) Symposium returns to our Education Program. Andrew Sheroubi and Satej Kulkarni share what YPs can expect from the symposium this year.

Can you provide an overview of the YP Symposium this year, including key events or focus areas?

We are using disaster recovery scenarios, mostly ones common to BC, to showcase the One Water theme. Attendees will participate in an interactive activity using problem-based learning to identify how to build the resiliency of a fictional community in BC six months after the disaster happens. We plan on having representatives from different BCWWA committees, groups and communities of practice to engage with the attendees. The goal is to understand the connectedness of our sector and the different groups within it as well as how they work together and impact the community.

What are some key challenges or opportunities that YP members encounter during the symposium?

The aim is to introduce challenges that YPs may not have encountered in their professional journey. We do this by introducing activities and bringing a panel of senior or experienced individuals who share their

experiences or challenges faced and what was done to overcome or mitigate those challenges. The idea is to inspire YPs to think beyond the task at hand and think of the overall project outcomes and challenges that apply in their professional life.

How does the YP Symposium contribute to the professional development of attendees?

YP Symposium aims to challenge YPs by exposing them to problems or challenges they may not have encountered in their professional careers yet. The idea is to drive home the point that work (at least in the water and wastewater sector) involves more than just technical design and we aim to inspire holistic thinking about the desired outcomes as a whole rather than just focusing on the task at hand.

What is the process for selecting YP members for sponsorship to attend the AWWA conference, and what role does the symposium play in that?

For the YP AWWA Conference, people can apply for sponsorship. While the symposium does not directly play a role, involvement in the BCWWA symposium or YP Committee, in general, helps people applying make a strong case for why they should be sponsored.

ONE WATER, ONE TEAM CANADA:

Fostering Digital Innovation and Collaboration for Unified Water Management

BY DR. SARIN RAJ POKHREL

Water is one of the most precious and finite resources on our planet. It is essential for maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems and serves multiple purposes, including domestic, industrial, commercial, agricultural and recreational uses. However, with the growing impacts of climate change, managing our pristine water resources has become more urgent than ever. Globally, Canada is one of the most water-rich countries, holding approximately 7% of the world’s renewable freshwater supply. Yet, despite this abundance, Canada has faced a growing number of challenges in recent years, with wildfires, droughts and flooding becoming more frequent and severe.

In 2024, the Jasper Wildfire scorched vast stretches of forest, while just a year earlier, the Okanagan Valley witnessed one of its most devastating fires, leaving entire communities reeling. In 2020, an ice jam on the Athabasca River led to severe flooding in Fort McMurray, displacing residents and causing widespread damage. The 2013 Calgary floods, one of the costliest natural disasters in Canadian history, wreaked havoc across southern Alberta. Beyond these large-scale

disasters, municipalities across the country are grappling with ongoing water management challenges. Aging infrastructure, water loss from leaks and rising urban water demands put increasing pressure on local water systems and are common problems for many Canadian municipalities, while smaller municipalities often face even greater hurdles – limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. In 2024, both Montreal and Calgary faced major water main breaks that disrupted daily life, underscoring the vulnerabilities in aging urban infrastructure. Montreal’s water main burst in August led to extensive flooding, while Calgary’s June incident with its largest feeder main triggered emergency water restrictions and a city-wide fire ban, highlighting the urgent need for proactive maintenance and resilience planning. From watershed-scale disruptions to local water supply concerns, these challenges emphasize the urgent need for a more resilient and integrated approach to water management.

For decades, water management has been approached through a fragmented, siloed system. Various levels of government, federal, provincial

and municipal, each hold distinct and separate responsibilities for water governance. This disconnected approach limits the effectiveness of water management, creating gaps in policies, regulations, and conservation efforts. This is where the concept of One Water comes into play. Over the past decade, the term has gained momentum among water experts, policymakers and researchers. While definitions vary, at its core, One Water represents an integrated approach to managing all aspects of water – drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and watershed health –as a single, interconnected system. Rather than viewing water in isolated categories, One Water promotes holistic and collaborative management, bringing together all stakeholders. To illustrate this interconnection, consider a simple cycle: The clean drinking water we consume eventually becomes wastewater, which is flushed through drains and sent to treatment plants. Once treated, the effluent is released into rivers, where later it may contribute to hydroelectric power generation. Similarly, rainfall that falls on urban surfaces becomes stormwater runoff, carrying pollutants into waterways that serve as drinking water sources.

Cities with combined sewer systems or even separate may experience overflows during heavy rainfall, leading to untreated sewage being released into natural waterways. These examples highlight why a comprehensive and integrated approach to water management is essential.

So far, we explored the urgent challenges facing Canada’s water resources and the promise of the One Water approach as a solution. But the

biggest question remains, how do we make it happen? While the vision is clear, translating it into real-world action requires a combination of funding, strategic planning, public engagement and technological advancement. A resilient water future depends on strong financial investment. Our aging infrastructure needs critical upgrades, and without proper funding, communities will continue to face water-related issues and system failures.

But generating revenue for these improvements requires more than just raising water rates; it demands transparency and public trust. People need to understand why they are paying a certain price for water. If water pricing is explained clearly, detailing how funds are used for treatment, distribution, conservation and long-term resilience, public support will follow. Transparency ensures that people see the value in these investments, leading to greater acceptance and a stronger collective commitment to water sustainability.

No two cities face the same water challenges. Each municipality must tailor its water strategies based on local conditions, priorities and needs. Take the Okanagan Valley, for instance – one of the driest regions in Canada, where over 50% of water use is attributed to agriculture. Here, using high-quality drinking water for irrigation in vineyards and golf courses is inefficient. Instead, treating and reusing wastewater for irrigation would provide a sustainable alternative, reducing the pressure on drinking water supplies. Contrast this with Vancouver, a city that receives significant rainfall throughout the year. The priority here is investing in green infrastructure and low impact development (LID) strategies. Expanding rain gardens, bioswales and permeable pavements can help manage stormwater effectively, reduce contaminants in runoff and protect vital water sources. While every city can benefit from a combination of these strategies, defining priorities ensures that investments are made where they will have the greatest impact. This is why collaboration, public engagement, and knowledge sharing are pivotal. Water solutions are most effective when communities are actively involved in shaping policies and projects that align with their needs. In today’s digital era, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming industries worldwide, and water management is no exception. Advanced predictive models can now forecast river flows, detect early signs of droughts or floods and optimize water distribution. However, to fully integrate AI into decision-making, we need a stronger bridge between academic research and practical implementation. Universities and research institutions have made significant contributions to the scientific understanding of water systems and proposed novel methodologies to manage water resources. However, their expertise and groundbreaking research often remain confined to academic journals instead of being translated into tools that can be used in the real-world setup. The challenge lies not just in developing AI models but in operationalizing them, ensuring that real-world decision-makers can access, understand and apply these innovations effectively. In addition,

data sharing among municipalities, provinces and private sectors must be strengthened. A robust water benchmarking tool could help track performance, identify best practices and allow different regions to learn from each other’s successes and challenges. Open and accessible data will empower communities to make smarter, evidence-based decisions. This approach can be a starting point for many municipalities across a region and once a systematic database is developed, it must be leveraged to the wider regions. We need to be united today more than ever with a ‘Team Canada’ approach across all sectors with a focus on how essential water is to all.

A sustainable water future requires more than just advanced technology. It also demands a new generation of skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between theory and practice. This starts with reforming undergraduate education in water-related fields. Many university programs focus heavily on theoretical knowledge, which is essential to understanding fundamental concepts, but practical learning opportunities are often unintentionally sidelined. Imagine if a thirdyear environmental engineering student was not just taught how a water treatment plant operates in a textbook, but was required to visit one, analyze its processes, and see how at the operational level water treatment plants works and what different challenges they face. Building young professionals’ confidence is key to a safe, supportive workplace where they feel encouraged, not intimidated. An inclusive workplace should empower them to share ideas freely while honing their technical skills through diverse projects. Fresh perspectives from new talent should be encouraged, as the combination of experienced professionals sharing their knowledge and innovative ideas from young minds is crucial for bringing innovations in water management. By investing in applied education, continuous skill development, and real-world exposure, we not only strengthen the workforce but also ensure that future water leaders are equipped with both scientific expertise and practical problemsolving skills.

The path to making One Water a reality is not a single step but a collective journey – one that requires financial commitment, regional adaptation, technological innovation, applied research, and workforce transformation. By fostering public trust, prioritizing local needs, leveraging AI, and enhancing education, we can move from fragmented water management toward an integrated, resilient, reliable, and sustainable water system. The challenges ahead are undeniable, but so is the potential for change. If we act now, we can protect our water,

strengthen our communities, and build a future where every drop counts.

AUTHOR’S BIO

Sarin Raj Pokhrel holds both a master’s degree and PhD in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia. With over eight years of experience, Dr. Pokhrel has contributed to a wide range of academic, municipal and provincial water projects across North America. His expertise includes

performance assessment and benchmarking, water resource planning, design and construction, data-driven, hydraulic and hydrologic modelling, flood mapping and collaboration with various academic, industry, and municipal stakeholders. Currently, Dr. Pokhrel serves as a Transboundary Water Quantity Specialist (Engineering Services 2) at the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas. Note: It is important to note that the insights and knowledge shared in this article are based on Dr. Pokhrel’s personal experiences and expertise, particularly his focus on the ‘One Water’ approach during his PhD.

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CHRIS BABER , City of Vancouver

Vancouver’s Healthy Waters Plan is Moving the Needle in BC

Shaping One Water: Shaping One Water:

This year’s conference theme is ‘One Water, One Future.’ Per the conference organizing committee, ‘One Water’ has been used throughout the years to describe how water management is inherently integrated and interconnected to the communities, environment and systems it serves. One Water also presents the transformative shift in how we think and understand our water sector now and into the future. This is the time to move the needle on how we protect and adapt our water systems. The future starts now!

Key questions for this year’s conference include:

• How do we come together to address the issues and challenges critical to this sector, such as water protection and conservation, aging infrastructure demands, growing populations, climate change, workforce concerns, emerging contaminants and more?

• How are we bridging the water sector’s collective knowledge and advancement with spiritual, cultural and ancestral connections to this life source?

One Water projects are becoming increasingly common locally in BC. One example of a community that is already moving the needle on these questions is the City of Vancouver through the development of their Healthy Waters Plan. Using a One Water approach, this plan will guide long-range investments, policies, and programs to address pollution from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and urban rainwater runoff, meet the growth needs of the City and tackle key risks related to climate change and aging infrastructure. Effective sewage and rainwater management is critical for safeguarding public health, protecting and restoring the environment, ensuring the sustainability of water and other natural resources and advancing reconciliation. However, despite progress made over recent decades, the City and Metro Vancouver’s sewage and drainage systems continue to discharge high volumes of CSOs that contribute significant levels of wastewater and stormwater pollution into receiving waterbodies such as Burrard Inlet,

False Creek, and the Fraser River. This serves as a barrier for the re-opening of shellfish harvesting for local First Nations and is also a likely factor contributing to summertime beach advisories.

Urban watersheds around the world create environmental degradation due to previously pervious areas turning impervious. This imperviousness increases the speed and volume of water entering our creeks and sewer systems and transports pollutants from lawns (e.g., pesticides or fertilizers), streets (e.g., car tire particles), roofs (e.g., metals) and parking lots into our local waterways. For urban watersheds, this disrupts the natural water cycle of infiltration and evaporation, impacting creek flows and groundwater levels. For urban creeks, beyond the impacts of pollution, this causes streambed erosion and increased risk of flash floods, impacting salmon lifecycles, invertebrate populations and urban wildlife. One Water asks us to look at one raindrop and see how its value can be maximized to benefit utilities, communities and the environment.

In 2020, Vancouver City Council directed City staff to proceed with the development of a comprehensive plan for sewage and rainwater management, now known as the Healthy Waters Plan. Adopting a ‘One Water’ approach has been an essential component for addressing affordability challenges and maximizing benefits through investment planning, policies and programs.

The City of Vancouver’s One Water approach is a holistic water management strategy that recognizes the interconnected nature of all water types: drinking water, rainwater, wastewater, groundwater and surface water. It aims to manage these resources in an integrated manner that supports the community, economy and environment. This approach includes initiatives like green rainwater infrastructure to reduce flooding and water pollution and the reuse of heat from sewage to deliver thermal energy to buildings. Their approach also aims to address the challenges of urban water management in the face of uncertainty, climate change and urban growth. Adopting a One Water approach has been an essential component for addressing affordability challenges and maximizing benefits through investment in planning, policies and programs.

A phased methodology has been taken to develop the Healthy Waters Plan. Phase 1 work included defining the current state of the sewage and rainwater system and developing a strategic planning framework. The strategic framework includes guiding principles and four goals. Then, objectives, each with their own evaluation criteria, were developed for each goal. These goals, objectives, and evaluation criteria were all gathered through extensive stakeholder and partner engagement with the community,

such as environmental non-profits, various divisions within the City, Metro Vancouver, and representatives from the xʷməθkʷəy ̓əm, Sḵwx wú7mesh Úxwumixw and səlilwətaɬ Nations. This engagement set the stage for what priorities were important to meet in the Healthy Waters Plan. A Technical Working Group, Project Advisory Group and Expert Advisory Panel all helped shape the strategic framework.

The Phase 2 planning process completed an alternatives analysis, which included a comprehensive evaluation of a range of different infrastructure, program and policy options to meet the goals and objectives of the strategic framework.

A particularly meaningful engagement session was a Basin Planning Charette, which

took place in March 2024. For this session, the City was divided into five drainage basins and a gamified approach to ideation was used, where breakout groups were tasked with defining different bundles of solutions to meet the needs of the future. A spreadsheet-based tool was developed to offer a quick cost and performance assessment of a suite of projects and policies so that participants could establish their priorities and then grapple with trade-offs. This allowed participants to develop a shared understanding of the impacts of pollution, costs and other factors in real-time. The results of this engagement were used to further refine different alternative solution sets for evaluation.

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Various analytical tools and models, such as a Mass Balance Model developed by Kerr Wood Leidal, specially for the Healthy Waters Plan, have been used throughout the evaluation process to quantify hydrologic and water quality benefits. The Mass Balance Model rapidly evaluates water quantity and quality impacts of various combinations of sewer infrastructure and stormwater management policies under different development and climate conditions, quickly performing year-long continuous simulations by approximating the sewer system hydrodynamics using SWMM-based hydrologic and water quality routines. Outputs of the model include combined sewer overflows, stormwater runoff, total suspended solids and fecal coliform loads discharged into Vancouver’s receiving waters.

Three alternative pathways were developed and assessed using performance data from the Mass Balance Model, ‘tally sheets’ to calculate non-water quality evaluation criteria and financial data from Raftelis’ financial model. These three alternatives were then ranked and assessed using Brown and Caldwell’s Multi Criteria Decision Analysis tool, which is a spreadsheet-based tool that adds up the performance of each evaluation criterion to see how the alternatives performed against each other for each goal area. While improving water quality is important for addressing combined sewer overflows, alternatives were also analyzed for how they improved the watershed and livability or reduced flood risk.

“Various

analytical tools and models, such as a Mass Balance Model developed by Kerr Wood Leidal, specially for the Healthy Waters Plan, have been used throughout the evaluation process to quantify hydrologic and water quality benefits.”

The City’s preferred pathway ultimately includes:

• Adopting an enhanced approach to sewer separation, prioritizing separation adjacent to downstream waterbodies and working upstream to more rapidly remove rainwater, groundwater and buried creeks from the sewer system.

• Expanding the use of Green Rainwater Infrastructure (‘GRI’) and natural areas on public property.

• Optimizing rainwater management policies for redevelopment.

The final phase of project work is kicking off now and will develop a prioritization

framework, phasing and implementation plan, and adaptive pathways management plan. Prioritization of investments will consider CSO and urban runoff loadings in tandem with the unique ecosystem and public access parameters for each receiving waterbody. A framework will be developed to ensure early investments achieve maximum value-formoney, considering multiple service objectives to be met.

Water is a vital resource and life force for communities and ecosystems. Since time immemorial, Indigenous communities have fostered their relationship with water.

Post-contact, urbanization, de-forestation, the burying of streams and pollution of waterways has deeply impacted food harvesting and the livelihoods of xʷməθkʷəy əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

As compared to the City’s historic approach, driven by the regional Liquid Waste Management Plan, the Healthy Waters Plan aims to deliver a greater reduction in overall pollution impacts by 2050 at a significantly lower cost while also delivering on other critical objectives relating to infrastructure condition, livability, ecosystem health, climate adaptation and flooding risk reduction.

Investment in the City’s sewer and drainage infrastructure is expected to be in the billions of dollars over the coming decades, so there is a financial, social, and environmental imperative to ensure the City optimizes investments and regulations to manage risks while delivering outcomes efficiently and affordably.

By coupling together strategic planning, intentional engagement and advanced analytical methods, the City of Vancouver is emerging as a ‘One Water’ leader in BC. This planning process has been notable for our teams due to the extensive coming together of the consultant and City team, focusing on co-creation, collaboration and transparency. This type of collaboration has the power to transform the engineering world, moving important conversations about our water, environment and community outside of siloed offices and into a public centre stage. It has been an incredible project to be a part of and we look forward to exploring and developing the next steps.

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THE PROMISE OF ONE WATER, ONE FUTURE

I don’t believe conference organizers could have guessed how compelling this theme would become when they started planning last year. This is a perfect opportunity to highlight the efforts the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) makes for members and delegates to the annual conference.

The tariff wars are going to have an impact. That is definitely true for the short term. Our sector relies on many goods and also services coming from the USA. Retaliatory tariffs, a weakening Canadian dollar and potential inflation means it will cost more to deliver our services. To counter that and recognize the economic pressure on customers, infrastructure maintenance and improvement projects could be reduced leading to worsening asset conditions rather than improved. One hopes that there will not be an outbreak as the result of diminished resources for our purveyors.

The CWWA met with Canada’s Trade Commissioners in Washington and Ottawa and have asked that the water and wastewater sector be exempt from tariffs. We have also asked our AWWA and WEF friends to the south to do the same. One problem with these actions is the potential for a vindictive response. Another is that not all members agree with this approach.

In terms of the increased cost, I have seen numbers in a recent project that included a column in the estimators spread sheet for tariffs. Because projects within our sector rely on significant local labour and materials, the effect is muted. More like ten percent than the full twenty-five percent seen in other sectors. Hopefully that means just a slowdown and not a complete stop.

There will be good things that come from this current moment of chaos and one of them will be increased resilience. Given we are friends with citizens of the USA, there is also hope that this is just a short-term situation.

Still, let’s not waste this moment and slip back into easy ways but rather keep vigilant to all potential threats.

So, what about the long term since we are talking about the future. We are so consumed by day-to-day life and survival that we often forget about the distant future. The monthly CWWA Water Source eBulletin carries many timely news stories. One that caught my attention regarded Per and Poly-Fluorolkyl Substances (PFAS). The cookware industry in the USA is teaming with special interest groups and lobbying state legislatures to prevent bans of cookware made

with PTFE. They make the case that the costs to industry outweigh health benefits. The AWWA has made similar arguments about lowering of some contaminant levels, but it used balanced science. Is this more like the tobacco industry saying smoking was safe and now recently settling in Canadian court? At least in Canada the government is still focused on the issue as we are in the water community.

Finally thinking of the near future again, a reminder that CWWA’s National Water and Wastewater Conference will be held in Victoria this year, November 2–5, 2025.

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WATER BRINGS US TOGETHER

No one can deny that 2025 got off to a bit of a tumultuous start politically. The tension across the Canadian and American border was so high that even hockey was affected. In times like these, I feel that communication and collaboration with global organizations like the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is more important than ever. The challenges of a One Water future are greater than those that can be tackled between borders – there is a reason that water is the world’s most vital resource.

There’s no collection of people better positioned to think creatively and rise to these large challenges than young professionals. Organizations like the AWWA and BCWWA know and value this, and you can see this commitment in events like the WEF/AWWA Young Professionals (YP) Summit. The 2025 event was held in Dallas, Texas, from February 9–11, on the theme of ‘Making Waves: Charting the Future of the Water Sector.’ Luke Magnall, an operator-in-training, was BCWWA’s YP Summit Award recipient who attended from BC, along with hundreds of other YP’s from across North America. This year’s summit saw a record attendance and included a variety of activities and networking opportunities. This is a great example of two organizations, AWWA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF), coming together to support YPs as the future of the industry and provide them with relevant experience and training.

From a YP perspective, this year’s AWWA winter Board meeting was a notable one as elections were held for the new YP director-at-large role. Due to the heavy snowfall at the meeting location in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the Board of Directors pivoted to hold a hybrid meeting and successfully elected Brent Tippy as the president-elect. Four vice presidents were elected: Andrea Odegard-Begay, Kevin Smith, Andrea Song and John Eisnor (a fellow Canadian from the Atlantic Canada Section).

A new YP Advisor, Mark Theiler, was elected to continue the program, and Lily Lopez from the

California-Nevada Section was elected to the YP director-at-large role.

This year, AWWA Vice President Christine Spitzley will be the AWWA visiting representative at BCWWA’s 53rd Annual Conference & Trade Show in Victoria, BC. As a principal at OHM Advisors, Christine serves as a liaison between water, environment, engineering and planning teams. Through this collaborative work I feel that Christine is perfectly suited to participate in this year’s conference with the synergistic theme of ‘One Water, One Future.’

Professionally, it doesn’t get much better than conferences for collaboration and networking

opportunities. If BCWWA’s annual conference leaves you motivated and ready for more, here are the upcoming AWWA conference dates:

• ACE25 – Denver, CO June 8–11, 2025. Early registration is open until April 18.

• Water Infrastructure Conference & Exposition (WIC) – September 14–17, 2025. Orlando, FL, Registration will open in spring 2025.

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at this year’s conference and catching up on the successes and challenges experienced by our diverse water community here in British Columbia.

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A POWERFUL REMINDER

‘One Water, One Future’ is a phrase that encapsulates the global awareness of water as an essential resource for life and human survival. This concept includes the critical need for sustainable management, conservation, and equitable access to clean water to secure a promising future for all communities worldwide to protect and replenish water resources, ensuring their availability for future generations.

Water is central to every facet of human activity. It is indispensable in agriculture, industry, and daily life. The world’s water resources, however, are finite, and many regions are grappling with water scarcity which is being drastically affected by climate change, pollution, and infrastructural deficiencies. With increasing global demand and environmental challenges, sustainable water management has never been more crucial.

Climate change impacts water availability and distribution through altered precipitation patterns, increased frequency and severity of droughts and floods, and the melting of glaciers. These changes disrupt ecosystems, reduce water supply, and threaten the livelihoods of communities dependent on stable water sources.

Water pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and inadequate sanitation systems significantly degrades water quality. Contaminated water sources pose severe health risks and necessitate costly treatment processes. Reducing pollution through stringent regulations, improved waste management, and community education is vital for protecting water resources.

In many regions, aging or inadequate water infrastructure hampers efficient water distribution and management. Investment in modern, resilient infrastructure is essential to reduce water loss, improve access to clean water, and enhance the resilience of water systems against environmental and human-induced stresses.

Engaging communities and educating the public about water conservation is crucial for fostering a culture of responsible water use. BCWWA is helping to guide our industry with grassroots initiatives, educational programs and awareness campaigns to empower individuals and communities to take proactive steps in safeguarding water resources. Advancements in technology offer promising solutions for sustainable water management. Innovations such as precision irrigation, water recycling and smart water systems enhance water efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of water use. Investing in research and development of such technologies is essential for addressing future water challenges.

Conservation practices, such as rainwater harvesting, watershed management and the protection of natural water bodies, are vital for maintaining water availability. These practices help replenish groundwater, reduce reliance on surface water sources and preserve ecosystems that depend on healthy water systems.

WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING GLOBAL WATER SECURITY.

‘One Water, One Future’ serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard water resources. By recognizing the interconnectedness of water systems and the importance of sustainable practices, we can work together to address the challenges facing global water security. Through collaboration, innovation and a commitment to equitable access, we can ensure that water continues to support life and

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53RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW April 27 - 29, 2025 | Victoria, BC

Engage in a full Education Program of 100+ speakers presentations and panel sessions while earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Discover cutting-edge solutions from top companies and suppliers from across the water industry.

Network with industry innovators, decision-makers and water professionals from across BC and Yukon.

Experience hands-on activities and live demonstrations to enhance your skills and expertise!

REGISTRATION

Closes April 15

Registration continues for the BCWWA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show as we return to Victoria – BC’s capital city! Join us for one of western Canada’s premier water and wastewater events as we invite BC and Yukon’s One Water sector to come together to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the industry and move the needle on achieving a sustainable and resilient future for our water, sewer and stormwater systems.

Don’t miss your opportunity to meet with over 1,000 attendees who work in water, sewer and stormwater systems from across BC, the Yukon and beyond! Part conference, part trade show, the annual conference hosts over 100 education sessions and features over 180 industry suppliers and contacts for ample networking and learning opportunities.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Operators and other industry professionals who need education credits can collect continuing education units (CEUs) during the conference by attending eligible education sessions. A maximum of 1.2 CEUs will be available for attending both days of the in-person conference.

CONFERENCE PASSES

Your all-access pass to the annual conference –access the trade show, receptions, education sessions and more!

TECHNICAL TOUR PASSES

Join an onsite tour of a local facility to complement your conference experience.

Are more than two team members attending this event? Purchase your additional exhibitor pass(es) or upgrade your pass today.

* Students are individuals registered in an education program at a post-secondary institution. Only those with an active BCWWA student membership are eligible to receive this discounted rate.

** Separate registration is required. Visit bcwwaconference.org to register.

REGISTRATION SPONSOR

PEN SPONSOR

LANYARD SPONSOR

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BREAKFAST SPONSORS

AND SESSIONS INCLUDED WITH EACH

Full Conference Delegate, Student & Exhibitor

Upgrade to Full Conference

Monday Only Conference Pass

Tuesday Only Conference Pass

Wrap Reception Only

Additional/Exhibitors

BCWWA’S

April 27 - 29, 2025 | Victoria, BC

DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE APP

Did you know that you can access conference information directly through your mobile phone? We’re pleased to provide a free and easyto-use mobile app for use during BCWWA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show through Pheedloop Go!

Simply download the Pheedloop Go app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and login with the credentials provided to you by email. From here, you can instantly access the schedule of events, education program, presentation abstracts and more!

The mobile app is available to use on iOS and Android mobile devices. You can also access the event platform on your web browser at: go.pheedloop.com/#

SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA FOR A LINK TO THE DOWNLOAD PAGE.

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• De Nora: Capital and F&P Chlorine Gas Systems, Onsite Sodium Hypochlorite Generation, UV Disinfection, PFAS Treatment

• Blue-White Industries: Peristaltic Meter Pumps and Stands

• Grundfos Pumps: Diaphragm Meter Pumps and Stands, Dice Dosing Chemical Systems

• Pieralisi: Decanter Centrifuges

• Challenger Valve: Manual and Motorized Butterfly Valves

• Orbinox: Manual and Motorized Knife Gate Valves

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Subject to change, updated March 2025.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Technical Tour

Please note that this schedule is subject to change in the lead-up to the conference. Please refer to the most recent schedule at bcwwaconference.org/site/program/schedule.

Green Waste Water Treatment Plant

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Registration (Pre-registration, onsite, trade show walkthrough) V ictoria Conference Centre

3:00 pm – 8:00 pmRegistration (Trade show walkthrough) Crystal Garden

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Trade Show Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

3:45 pm – 6:30 pm Operator Challenge Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Young Professionals’ Reception Crystal Garden

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Operator Reception Crystal Garden

6:30 pm – 7:30 pmTrade Show ‘Appy Hour’ Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME EVENT/ACTIVITY

6:30 am – 8:00 am Buffet Breakfast Fairmont Empress

6:15 am – 4:30 pm Registration (pre-registration, onsite and trade show walkthrough) V ictoria Conference Centre

7:30 am - 9:15 am Opening Session and Keynote Victoria Conference Centre

9:15 am – 9:30 am Coffee Break Victoria Conference Centre

9:30 am – 11:00 amEducation Sessions Victoria Conference Centre

10:30 am – 12:15 pm Industry Innovation Showcase Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

10:30 am - 2:30 pmTrade Show Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

10:30 am - 2:30 pmRegistration (Trade show walkthrough) Crystal Garden 11:00 am – 1:30 pm Lunch Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Education Sessions

Victoria Conference Centre

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Coffee Break Victoria Conference Centre

3:15 pm – 4:45 pmEducation Sessions

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME EVENT/ACTIVITY

Victoria Conference Centre

7:00 am – 4:00 pmRegistration (pre-registration and onsite) Victoria Conference Centre

7:30 am – 8:00 am Coffee Break Victoria Conference Centre

8:00 am – 9:30 amEducation Sessions Victoria Conference Centre

9:30 am – 9:45 am Coffee Break Victoria Conference Centre

9:45 am – 10:45 am‘Best of the Best’ BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test Victoria Conference Centre

9:45 am – 11:15 amEducation Sessions Victoria Conference Centre

11:15 am – 1:00 pm Awards Lunch Victoria Conference Centre

1:15 pm – 2:45 pmEducation Sessions Victoria Conference Centre

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Coffee Break Victoria Conference Centre

3:00 pm – 4:30 pmEducation Sessions Victoria Conference Centre

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Wrap Reception Fairmont Empress

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

TIME EVENT/ACTIVITY

8:30 am – 12:30 pm Technical Tour

Sooke River Road Disinfection Facility, Sooke River Jack Brooks Hatchery and Juan de Fuca Salmon Restoration Society

OPENING SESSION AND KEYNOTE

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 7:30 am – 9:15 am

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Geoff Green

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We are pleased to announce this year’s keynote speaker: Geoff Green!

GEOFF GREEN

Educator, social entrepreneur and adventurer Geoff Green says his first expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic profoundly inspired him. These cornerstones of our global ecosystem have led him to more than 120 expeditions to the Polar Regions, as well as dozens of journeys to the most remote corners of the planet.

Geoff was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2012. Other awards and recognitions include the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal; an honourary doctorate of education from Nipissing University; special congressional recognition from the US Congress; Canada’s “Top 40 under 40” and the Citation of Merit for outstanding feats of exploration and service by the prestigious Explorers Club in New York City. One of his greatest honours was being given the Inuktitut name “Pitsiulak” by the Commissioner of Nunavut Ann Hanson, at a 2009 naming ceremony in the Nunavut Legislature in Iqaluit.

Geoff was selected as one of the Top 25 Transformational Canadians by the Globe & Mail, CTV and La Presse, and Outpost Magazine chose Geoff as one of the “Top 5 Canadian Explorers” to watch. The Globe & Mail called Geoff “the man who revolutionized polar and environmental education.” Geoff is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and The Explorers Club. His roles have also included that of Chair of the Board of the Ottawa Riverkeeper and numerous other boards and committees.

KEYNOTE TOPIC: Inspiring Blue Stewards

G eoff will take the BCWWA audience on an inspiring journey from ‘Pole to Pole’ and ‘Coast to Coast to Coast,’ sharing his unique and inspiring experiences and images around Planet Water over the past 35 years. Water must be one of our top priorities as individuals, communities and as a country. He will showcase Canada as the greatest water nation and the critical time we find ourselves in as ‘Blue Stewards.’ Geoff will share how and why we must collectively work to inspire and connect young and old about how we understand, manage, conserve and think about water for the future.

EDUCATION PROGRAM

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 9:30 am – 4:45 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

SPONSORED BY

We are pleased to announce this year’s conference theme is ‘One Water, One Future,’ which will guide our Education Program.

‘One Water’ has been used throughout the years to describe how water management is inherently integrated and interconnected to the communities, environment and systems it serves. It also presents the transformative shift in how we think and understand our water sector now and into the future. The BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show is

a time to celebrate and appreciate our water community, recognizing the significant role each of us plays. It is also a time to move the needle on how we can continue to protect and adapt our water systems in BC and the Yukon. How do we come together to address the issues and challenges critical to this sector, such as water protection

and conservation, aging infrastructure demands, growing populations, climate change, workforce concerns, emerging contaminants and more? How are we bridging the water sector’s collective knowledge and advancement with spiritual, cultural and ancestral connections to this life source? The future starts now.

SPECIALTY SESSIONS

DEVELOPING YOUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CONTINGENCY PLAN

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME : 9:30 am – 11:00 am

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre, Esquimalt Room

The BC Ministry of Health, in collaboration with health authority partners, is hosting a 90-minute interactive workshop to improve Emergency Response and Contingency Plan (ERCP) literacy and encourage the development of quality ERCPs across water systems in the province.

Hosted by: Megan Kot and Lindsay Johnson, Ministry of Health

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’ SYMPOSIUM

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre, Esquimalt Room

Tapping into this year’s conference theme of ‘One Water, One Future,’ the symposium will be centred around an interactive group activity. Groups of four or five will be asked to develop a solution in response to a posed natural disaster issue in collaboration with BCWWA community leads. A debrief and panel discussion will follow.

SCADA CYBERSECURITY PANEL

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre, Esquimalt Room

Join the SCADA & OT Committee for a wide-ranging panel discussion on SCADA cybersecurity and related technologies.

Moderator: Matthew Sider, WSP

Panellists: Zane Spencer, MPE, a division of Englobe; Asad Habib, Schneider Electric Inc.; Mike Rotzien, WSP; Gary Brykov, PBX Engineering Ltd.

MONDAY, APRIL 28

7:30 am –9:15 am Opening Session + Keynote: Geoff Green Keynote Overflow –Live

9:30 am –

10:00 am Plant Optimization: Considerations for Strategically Taking a Process Offline

Keith Kohut, Associated Engineering

10:00 am –

10:30 am

10:30 am –11:00 am

AWWA Standards and Manuals – M65 On-site Hypochlorite Generation and M20 Chlorination and Chloramination

Timothy Phelan, AECOM

Filter Media – To Change or Not To Change? That is the Question

Brett Hambley, Anthratech Western Inc. (AWI)

Flood Protection in Squamish: Building the Superdike

Simon Kras, WSP

Accepting Risk: Challenges of Developing in the Tsunami Zone

Clayton Hiles, Kerr Wood Leidal

Catastrophic Lift Station Failure –Response & Recovery

Benjamin Kineshanko, District of Squamish

Building a Resilient Water Supply Mike Squire, City of Nanaimo

When You Can’t Out Conserve Densification –City of Vancouver

Meaghan Norton Daniel, City of Vancouver

1:30 pm –

2:00 pm Water Treatment Case Studies: Ballasted flocculation for a Resilient City

Marc Lariviere, Veolia Water Technologies

2:00 pm –

2:30 pm

2:30 pm –

3:00 pm

Enhancing Water Treatment Resilience with Biological Processes: An Introduction to AWWA MOP80

Hayat Raza, Continental Carbon Group

Surface Water Purification for Remote Community in Alaskan Panhandle Region

Brian Butters, Purifics Water

Concrete Cylinder Pipe: The 2024 Buzzword –What Is It and How Do We Work on It?

Brandon Pater, Pacific Flow Control

Post-Lahaina Wildfire –Damage Assessment Procedures of Above-Grade Water Infrastructure

Donovan Klassen, Carollo Engineers

Chilliwack WWTP Outfall

Rehabilitation Emergency Construction Works

Jordan Segal, City of Chilliwack

Infrastructure Under Pressure: Strategies for a Resilient Water Future

Ben Loewen, Aplin Martin

Keep Calm and SSMUH On: Year One Utility Reflections

Rose Sinnott, Kerr Wood Leidal

Green Rainwater Infrastructure Enhancements in the Still Creek Watershed Ella Pettichord, AECOM

Modeling the Hydrological Response of Connected Blue-Breen Roofs Using HYDRUS-1D Mehrnoosh Moghanian, City of Vancouver

Developing your Emergency Response and Contingency Plan

Megan Kot, BC Ministry of Health

Lindsay Johnson, BC Ministry of Health

Breathing New Life into Retired Infrastructure for Wet Weather Storage

Alexander Mockos, Brown and Caldwell

Optimizing Existing Infrastructure: Meeting Future Growth with Sustainable Solutions

Hilary Webb, Jacobs

Case Study: Ductile Iron Forcemain Failures

Laura Christensen, Water Street Engineering

From Crisis to Long-term Resilience: Reflections from Salem, OR Jude D. Grounds, Carollo Engineers An Interactive Group Activity by YPs in Collaboration with BCWWA Community Leads

Environmental Regulatory Planning for Flood Mitigation Projects

Heather Taylor, Associated Engineering

Benchmarking and Performance Assessment Tool for One Water Management

Vipul Moudgil, University of British Columbia

3:15 pm –

3:45 pm

3:45 pm –4:15 pm

4:15 pm –4:45 pm

Extending the Life of Trickling Filters: Lessons from Annacis Island WWTP

Ghazaleh Haghighat, Jacobs

Water Sector Decarbonization Trends –Global and Local Perspectives

Taryn Davis, Jacobs

Foaming: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions for Wastewater and Residuals Treatment

Cameron Macdonell, Associated Engineering

Heating Biosolids: Impacts of Drying, Pyrolysis, and Gasification on PFAS

Patrick McNamara, Black & Veatch

Screening of PFAS in British Columbia Tap Water

Mahboubeh Mirzaei, University of British Columbia

Looking for PFAS in the Okanagan Valley

Martin Earle, Carollo Engineers

Who’s Who? The Regulatory Landscape for Drinking Water in BC

Heike Lettrari, BC Government

The Groundwater Project –A Global Initiative to Build the Human Capacity for Managing Groundwater

Ineke Kalwij, The Groundwater Project

Enhancing Resilience through One Water System Risk Management

Harshan Radhakrishnan, Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC)

The Dodge Street Sewer Collapse: An Emergency Repair Story

Weston Engel, Carollo Engineers

Demystifying 3rd Party Utilities in the Design and Construction Process

Andrew Townend, PBX Engineering

FVH1CIP: Assessing and Improving Functionality of Infiltration-Based Stormwater Systems

Eric Finney, Associated Engineering

Please refer to the most recent education program grid at bcwwaconference.org/site/program/education.

A Panel Discussion on SCADA Cybersecurity, Led by the BCWWA SCADA & OT Committee

Zane Spencer, MPE a division of Englobe

Asad Habib, Schneider Electric

Mike Rotzien, WSP

Gary Brykov, PBX Engineering

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

8:00 am –

8:30 am

Installing a Pump Station Over an Artesian Groundwater Aquifer

Tyler Whitehouse, Carollo Engineers

8:30 am –

9:00 am City of Delta Pump Station Retrofit for Acidic Effluent

Evan Tsuji, Stantec Consulting

Spray-in-Place-Pipe (SIPP) for Aging Watermains –City of Revelstoke

Pilot Project

Derek Low, McElhanney

To Line or Not to Line: Condition Assessment of Outfall Conduits

Carmen Brown, CDM Smith

Major Project Delivery: Lessons Learned from Planning Through Execution of Houston’s >$5B Drinking Water Infrastructure

Paul Walker, Carollo Engineers

Revitalizing Slow Sand Filtration: Enhancing Water Quality and Operational Efficiency

Kristof Karpiuk, MS Filter Systems

The Healthy Waters Plan, Pathways for Vancouver BC’s Water Future

Rosey Jencks, Brown and Caldwell

Creating Healthy Waters with a Rapid-Performing Citywide Sewer Modelling Tool

Jeff Marvin, Kerr Wood Leidal

Flushing 101: What You Need to Know About Cleaning Watermains

Cassie Stea, Jacobs

9:00 am –

9:30 am

Wastewater Integration Resulting in Community Opportunities for Mill Bay

Jack Percy, McElhanney

Remote Condition Assessment of Water and Wastewater Concrete Infrastructures

Negar Roghanian, WSP

9:45 am –

10:15 am Implementation of Temperature Phased Anaerobic Digestion

Tyler Barber, Brown and Caldwell

10:15 am –10:45 am Full Scale Advanced Anaerobic Digestion Technologies in North America

Farokh Laqa Kakar, Brown and Caldwell

Incorporating Stormwater Modelling Results into Risk Analysis and Capital Planning

Craig Omundsen, Stantec Consulting

Towards Resilience-Based Proactive Sewer Asset Management

Hamidreza Shirkhani, National Research Council Canada

Machine Learning for Multiparameter

Coagulation Optimization

Tyler Bennett, Coagtech

Unlocking Healthy Waters through Gamified Planning

Brent Robinson, Brown and Caldwell

Basics of Glass Fused to Steel Bolted Steel Water Storage Tanks

Satej Kulkarni, Stantec Consulting

Valves Don’t Age Like Wine: Managing an Aging Valve System

Steve Causseaux, Cla-Val

Microtunneling for Large-Diameter Sewer Installation: The Burnaby Lake North Interceptor No. 2 Project Raffaele Aliberti, AECOM

Microtunneling Through Mountain Highway: Overcoming Challenges, Unlocking Sustainable Infrastructure Opportunities

Ethan McGowan, Tireragh Consulting

Protecting Lake Tahoe: Using Soil Freeze Technologies

Tim Taylor, Carollo Engineers

Understanding the Renewed Canada Community-Building Fund Glen Brown, Union of BC Municipalities

Water Budget Modelling for Water Sustainability Planning in French Creek, Regional District of Nanaimo, BC Mark Bolton, WSP

Importance of Certification and Training of Operators

Darcy Dion, EOCP

10:45 am –

11:15 am

Upgrading Lagoon-based Treatment Systems to Meet More Stringent Limits for BOD, TSS and Nutrient Removal

Tom Birkeland, Lemna Environmental Technologies

Prioritizing Water Infrastructure with Artificial Intelligence

Dan Hack, VODA.ai – Itron

Tunneling for Water/Wastewater/ Stormwater Conveyance

Mahmood Khwaja, CDM Smith

One Model: Hastings-Sunrise Watershed Planning and 1D-2D Modelling

Mike Lam, GHD

Teaching Trades Through a Water Sustainability Lens

Rajpinder Samra, BC Institute of Technology (BCIT)

AWARDS LUNCH

1:15 pm –

1:45 pm

1:45 pm –

2:15 pm

The Effects of Nanobubbles on Wastewater Treatment: A Bench-Scale Study

Rasha Maal-Bared, CDM Smith

Delivering Drinking Water to Remote Communities of the Bonaparte First Nation

Paul Farquharson, GHD

Framework for Prioritizing Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater and Biosolids Monitoring

Javier Locsin, CDM Smith

2:15 pm –

2:45 pm

Modern Trickling Filters Solutions for the 21st Century

Julia Zhu, Brentwood Industries

Water as the Vital Link Connecting a First Nations Community

Karl Williaume, McElhanney

The Cost of a New Supply Well and the Case for Better Monitoring and Maintenance

Warren Grafton, Western Water Associates

Urban Hydrogeology

Nav Sandhu, McElhanney

Bill 44/47 – The Sequel: One Year of Impact and Adaptation

Dr. Werner De Schaetzen, GeoAdvice Engineering

Residential Stormwater Solutions: A Homeowner’s Guide to Bill 44 Compliance

Wendy Yao, Aplin & Martin Consultants

Proactive Mitigation of I&I: Advancing Sanitary Sewer

Resilience in Coquitlam

Trevor Cheung, City of Coquitlam

Real-Time Control of Urban Drainage Systems in Canada

Hamidreza Shirkhani, National Research Council Canada

Engineering in Indigenous Communities: What Makes It Different

Dawn McGrath, MC2 Management

Innovative Ammonia Removal via Struvite Precipitation at an Impressive Scale

Abdelmajid Benabess, AtkinsRealis

Kingsview Water Supply: A Case Study on Integrating Bill 44 Ayden Martin, WSP

Balancing Local Flooding Risk with Cost-Effective Sewer Separation

Weston Engel, Carollo Engineers

3:00 pm –3:30 pm

Reducing Light Industrial Facility Impacts on Municipal Water and Wastewater Systems

Parisa Sarmadi, WSP

Sewage Heat Recovery Expansion at City of Vancouver

Abby Dacho, Kerr Wood Leidal

Integrated Evaluation of Physical Observations and Performance Metrics in Granular Media Filter Audits

Hayat Raza, Continental Carbon Group

Alternative Water Supplies –A Reuse Roadmapping Case Study

Andrea Tom, CDM Smith

Dude, Where’s My Stormwater Pond?

Andrew Ambrocichuk, Hydrasurvey

3:30 pm –4:00 pm

Ultraviolet Disinfection of Rainwater in a Marginalized Community in Kenya

Paul Nyangaresi, University of British Columbia

Combining Thermal Hydrolysis with Advanced Processing to Manage Microcontaminants in Biosolids

Bill Barber, Cambi

4:00 pm –4:30 pm

No Pressure – A Case Study in Integrated Project Delivery

Daniel Luo, WSP

Operationalizing Water Quality Models for Faster WWTP Effluent Transport Simulation

Méven Huiban, DHI Water & Environment

Proven Performance: Reviewing A Decade of UltraFX at Buffalo Narrows

Devon Greves, Delco Water

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Septic Tanks: Practical Insights

Kelsey Shaw, University of Victoria

The Separation of Rivers: A Program-Based Approach for Cleaning Toronto’s Waterways

Brenna Tomaiuolo, Black & Veatch

Lake Cowichan Water Treatment Plant Treated Water Aluminum Levels Optimization

Cristina Fonseca, Stantec Consulting

Engineering Resilience: The Journey to Securing Gibsons’ Water Future

Kendrick Carnes, Urban Systems

Okanagan Avenue Storm Pond Detailed Design

Luke Viljakainen, Stantec Consulting

TECHNICAL TOURS

DOCKSIDE GREEN

WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TOUR TIME: Group one: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Group two: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATION: Victoria Conference Centre bus pick–up zone

The Dockside Green Wastewater Treatment Plant is a leading-edge facility that employs advanced technologies to treat wastewater and reuse treated water to protect valuable resources within an urban setting. This walking tour is designed for professionals and students in the water and wastewater industry and individuals interested in sustainable infrastructure and compact water treatment approaches.

TOURS SPONSORED BY

SOOKE RIVER ROAD DISINFECTION FACILITY, SOOKE RIVER JACK BROOKS HATCHERY AND JUAN DE FUCA SALMON RESTORATION SOCIETY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

TOUR TIME: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm (1:00 pm, traffic dependent)

PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATION: Victoria Conference Centre bus pick-up zone

This facility is serviced with raw water from Sooke Lake Reservoir via the single Main #15, which made national news in September when a rogue tree lanced the Main. Participants will tour the facility and CRD staff and others will be on hand to lead the tour and answer questions.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION WAS REQUIRED. Visit bcwwaconference.org/site/program/activities/techtours to learn more.

ACTIVITIES

April

For locations and the most up-to-date activity details, visit our website at bcwwaconference.org or consult the Conference Pocket Program provided at the event.

OPERATOR CHALLENGE

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TIME: 3:45 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

The Operator Challenge returns for the BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show! The challenge brings BC and Yukon’s top operators together to compete as a team, share their skills and knowledge and be recognized for their outstanding achievements as water and wastewater professionals. Teams of three will compete in two skills events: Pipe Repair Challenge and a ‘Test the Waters’ trivia event. Stop by and catch the action! TIME EVENT

3:45 pm –5:20 pm Pipe Repair Challenge Pre–Function 2B, VCC

5:45 pm –6:15 pm

6:25 pm

‘Test the Waters’ Trivia Occurs during the Operator Reception (5:30 pm – 6:30 pm)

Level 2, Crystal Garden

BCWWA Operator Challenge: 2025 Champions Announced Level 2, Crystal Garden

SPONSORED BY:

Trusted by Municipalities and Contractors Canada Wide for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Solutions.

For more information contact:

Brandon Scott - Langley Branch Manager 604-513-4300 | brandon.scott@wolseleyinc.ca

David Scherck - Kelowna Branch Manager 250-870-6620 | dave.scherck@wolseleyinc.ca

Steve Renko - Prince George Branch Manager 604-354-5903 | steve.renko@wolseleyinc.ca

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’ RECEPTION

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TIME: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

VENUE: Crystal Garden

All young professionals are invited to level two of the Crystal Garden to attend this reception for an opportunity to meet and network with peers and seasoned professionals.

SPONSORED BY

OPERATOR RECEPTION

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TIME: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Crystal Garden

Operators are invited to level 2 of Crystal Garden to connect with friends and colleagues in a fun, casual environment. This is a chance to meet, catch up and share stories with fellow operators from near and far while enjoying a beverage and light snack before heading back to the trade show.

SPONSORED BY

TRADE SHOW ‘APPY HOUR’

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TIME: 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

VENUE: Carson Hall, Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

Meet, network and catch up with our exhibitors as you enjoy some bites and beverages on the trade show floors at Crystal Garden and Carson Hall at the Victoria Conference Centre.

SPONSORED BY

TRADE SHOW LUNCH

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

VENUE: Carson Hall, Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

Enjoy a buffet lunch with colleagues and exhibitors on the trade show floors at Crystal Garden and the Victoria Conference Centre.

SPONSORED BY

KJ CONTROLS AT STRATHCONA WICKET HALL

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

TIME: 8:00 pm

WHERE: Strathcona Wicket Hall (919 Douglas Street)

Join KJ Controls at Strathcona Wicket Hall for an evening of darts, refreshments and a social hour to connect and network with your peers! The event is open to all conference attendees and offers the chance to support BC Children’s Hospital through a silent auction, pledge donations or by entering the 50/50 draw for a chance to win amazing prizes!

EMCO WATERWORKS BCWWA HOSPITALITY NIGHT

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

VENUE: Milestones Restaurant (812 Wharf Street)

Experience an evening hosted by EMCO Waterworks at Milestones Restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks and an open dance floor! All attendees are invited to network and take part in a silent auction in support of the Hope Fill a Dream Foundation. Don’t miss out on the fun and be sure to pick up an entry wristband from the EMCO Waterworks booth any time during the trade show.

RESOURCE ZONE

APRIL 27–29

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

Looking for news and industry information? Want to learn more about a sponsor organization? Pick up information from our exhibitors, a copy of BCWWA’s Watermark magazine and other reference materials during the conference.

‘BEST OF THE BEST’ BC & YUKON TAP WATER TASTE TEST

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 9:45 am – 10:45 am

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

Who will be awarded BC and the Yukon’s best–tasting tap water in 2025? Come see for yourself! The ‘Best of the Best’ BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test returns to BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show! A panel of esteemed judges will be sampling water from across BC and the Yukon as communities compete to see who has the best–tasting water straight from the tap. The taste test will open with remarks from City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto.

SPONSORED BY:

BCWWA AWARDS LUNCH

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 11:15 am – 1:00 pm

VENUE: Victoria Conference Centre

Join us for a special awards lunch at Carson Hall at the Victoria Conference Centre. BCWWA will present awards to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the water and wastewater industry and the continued commitment and support they provide to the sector.

SPONSORED BY

WRAP RECEPTION

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Fairmont Empress

Join us for an enchanting evening that's sure to cast a spell on your night at the elegant Palm Court and Crystal Ballroom in the Fairmont Empress Hotel as we conclude the conference with refreshments, networking and magical entertainment.

SPONSORED BY

INDUSTRY INNOVATION SHOWCASE

MONDAY, APRIL 28

TIME: 10:30 am – 12:15 pm

VENUE: Carson Hall, Victoria Conference Centre + Crystal Garden

Don’t miss this year’s Industry Innovation Showcase at the trade show venues!

This year, the format has evolved into an engaging one-on-one showcase interview with our host at each presenter’s trade show booth. The host will visit the booth SPONSORED

of each presenter with a microphone and camera crew to recognize the top innovators at the trade show and ask thoughtful questions specific to their innovation. Each presenter will get three minutes of presentation/demonstration time to educate

10:30 am – 10:40 amWelcome from Lee Coonfer, BCWWA CEO & Sponsor

about their new ‘innovation’ (product, equipment, service or technology) and another two minutes to answer prepared questions asked by the host booth (see the schedule below). A compilation video will also be available following the conference.

Remarks from Kerry Anne Sheehan, Gentis Water Company Ltd./ UV Pure Technologies Inc. (Booth #53 at Carson Hall)

10:50 am – 10:55 amRevolutionizing Pump Performance: Advanced Vibration Monitoring & Analytics

Tom Bingham, Spartan Controls (Booth #827 at Carson Hall)

11:05 am – 11:10 amClow Canada iHydrant Powerful Analytics Actionable Insights

Jody Wall, Clow Canada (Booth #20 at Carson Hall)

11:20 am – 11:25 amAdvanced Aeration Control – Innovation in Digitalised Water Management

Kevin Richardson, Waste’n WaterTech (Booth #802 at Carson Hall)

11:40 am – 11:45 amStriping out Phosphorus without chemicals ... it can be done!

Jonathan Lee, ActiZyme Products Ltd. (Booth #1110 at Crystal Garden)

11:55 am – 12:00 pmRevolutionizing Biosolids Management: The MIR–D Process for Cost–Effective & Sustainable Treatment

Huan Liu, Newway Technologies Ltd. (Booth #910 at Crystal Garden)

12:10 pm – 12:15 pmRevolutionize Access Control with CyberLock: Secure Water Infrastructure Wire–Free Rad Artono, SYBIS (Booth #1138 at Crystal Garden)

VICTORIA CONFERENCE CENTRE CARSON HALL FLOOR PLAN

CRYSTAL GARDEN FLOOR PLAN

EXHIBITORS LIST

Exhibitors listed in Alphabetical Order.

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

1137 ACO Systems, Ltd.

1110 Acti‐Zyme Products Ltd.

18 ADS

1115 ADS Environmental Technologies

1145 AE Concrete Products, Inc.

1124 Aerzen Canada, Inc.

926 Aggressive Pump & Supply

1107 Ainsworth, Inc.

13 Alfa Laval, Inc.

48 Alumichem Canada

804 Andrew Sheret Limited

903 Aqua‐Aerobic Systems, Inc.

1101 Armtec, Inc.

T4 Asset Management BC

919 Aurora Design Group Ltd.

1103 Avensys Solutions, Inc.

41 AWC Solutions

42 AWC Solutions

1109 AWC Water Solutions

1150 Bay Industrial Instruments

803 BC Aquifer

19 BC One Call

1140 Belzona British Columbia

34 BettsM Controls, Inc.

831 BI Pure Water (Canada), Inc.

823 BioMaxx Environmental

921 Brenntag Canada

811 Brown and Caldwell

22 Cambridge Brass, Inc.

21 Canada Pipe

40 Canadian Dewatering

1116 Canadian Induracoat Corporation

1118 Canadian Industrial Pumps Ltd.

T3 Canoe Procurement Group & CivicInfo BC

822 Capital H2O Systems, Inc.

4 Carollo Engineers Canada Ltd.

808 Carbon Controls Ltd.

829 CB Process

1132 Centrix Control Solutions

1129 Cesco Electrical Supply

17 Chemline Plastics Ltd.

906 CIF Composites, Inc.

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

1136 City of Abbotsford

23 Clean Harbors

12 ClearTech

1153 Cloverdale Paint/Tnemec

20 CLOW Canada

923 Color Compass Corporation

911 Crane Pumps and Systems

1126 Delco Water

1105 DN Tanks

810 DWG Process Supply Ltd.

45 DXP ‐ Natpro

828 E.B. Horsman & Son

1142 Eaton Electrical

826 EECOL Electric

815 EJ Canada ULC

56 EMCO Waterworks

15 Endress+Hauser c/o Centrix Control Solutions

T5 EOCP

26 EP Engineered Pump Systems Ltd.

1104 Exceed Electrical Engineering Ltd.

1106 Fabco Plastics Western BC Limited

914 FilterPro Services Canada Ltd.

819 FLOCOR

8 Flow Systems

30 Ford Meter Box

901 Franklin Electric

11 Fred Surridge Ltd.

1148 Fuji Pipe Locators Ltd.

38 Galaxy Plastics Ltd.

53 Gentis Water Company Ltd/ UV Pure Technologies, Inc.

909 Gescan, A Sonepar Company

52 GF‐URECON (GF Piping Systems)

1120 Greatario Engineered Storage Systems

816 Guillevin Automation

51 H2 Flow Tanks & Systems, Inc.

817 HACH Company

825 Hanley Agencies Ltd.

1121 HSL Automation Ltd.

1134 Huber Technology Ltd.

14 Hy‐Line Sales

820 ICONIX Waterworks

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

1144 infraStruct Products and Services

922 Inland Divers Underwater Service Ltd.

1 Insituform Technologies Limited

43 IPEX, Inc.

918 IPP West

812 ISCO ‐ AH McElroy

32 Jadler Industries Ltd.

1130 John Brooks Company Limited

1112 Kaeser Compressors Canada KJ Controls Ltd.

1119 KBL

1111 KJ Controls Ltd.

814 KTI Limited

1139 Lambourne Environmental Ltd.

1149 Landmark Structures

44 Langley Concrete Group

57 Lateral Connection Group

1154 Layfield Geosynthetics

1131 MA Stewart & Sons Ltd.

46 Mar‐Tech Underground Services Ltd.

59 McElhanney

60 McElhanney

55 Mequipco Ltd.

920 Merlin Instrumentation

1117 Metercor

33 MPE, a division of Englobe

1141 MS Filter Systems, Inc.

916 MTS Maintenance Tracking Systems, Inc.

54 Mueller Water Products

7 Neptune Technology Group

5 NETZSCH Canada, Inc.

1123 New‐Line Hose & Fittings

910 Newway Technologies Ltd.

813 Northlands Water & Sewer Supplies Ltd.

912 Northwest Pipe Company

818 Pacific Flow Control Ltd.

1127 Paragon Systems Testing

1151 PBX Engineering

27 Pentair

908 Perma Pipe Canada

24 Precision Service & Pumps Inc.

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

806 Procon Systems (2013) Inc. 31 Pro‐Line Fittings

T2 Public Works Association of BC 1143 PW Trenchless Construction, Inc.

902 Quantum Industrial Solutions

1102 R.F. Binnie & Associates Ltd.

807 Robar Industries Ltd.

Utility Products

INDUSTRY EXPERTS

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

39 SCG – Process (Smith Cameron Pump Solutions)

1152 Schneider Electric

29 SFC Energy Ltd.

832 SFE Global Ltd.

913 ShinMaywa (America), Ltd.

1146 Silo J.M. Lambert

36 Softac Systems Ltd.

925 Spaans Babcock, Inc.

827 Spartan Controls

1114 Stantec Consulting

917 Star Pipe Products

924 STOPAQ

25 Sulzer Pumps (Canada), Inc.

9 Summit Valve and Controls

1138 SYBIS LLC

830 TDH Fluid Systems, Inc.

37 Terminal City Iron Works

T1 Thompson Rivers University

1108 Titan Environmental 1147 TNE Global, Inc.

1135 T'NT Work & Rescue

1125 Toray Membrane USA

907 Tritech Group Ltd.

1122 Tundra Process Solutions

801 Unified Alloys

927 Univar Solutions

58 USC Utility Supply (West) Corp

16 Valid Manufacturing Ltd.

905 Vanko, Analytical & Instrumentation Specialists

821 Veolia Water Technologies Canada

809 Victaulic

915 Victoria Drain Services Ltd.

1113 Vimar Equipment Ltd.

47 Wachs Canada

802 Waste 'n WaterTech

35 Water Professionals International

1133 Watson Marlow Fluid

Technology Solution

1155 Westcomm Pump & Equipment Ltd.

904 Westech Industrial Ltd. 49 Wolseley Waterworks

Wolseley Waterworks

GETTING AROUND DURING THE CONFERENCE

VENUES

CARSON HALL, VICTORIA CONFERENCE CENTRE (VCC)

720 Douglas Street Victoria, BC

HOTELS

THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS

721 Government Street

Victoria, BC

DOUBLETREE

BY HILTON HOTEL & SUITES VICTORIA

777 Douglas Street

Victoria, BC

MARRIOTT VICTORIA INNER HARBOUR

728 Humboldt Street

Victoria, BC

CRYSTAL GARDEN

713 Douglas Street Victoria, BC

HOTEL GRAND PACIFIC

463 Belleville Street

Victoria, BC

CHATEAU VICTORIA HOTEL AND SUITES

740 Burdett Ave

Victoria, BC

(Located across the street from the Victoria Conference Centre)

BCWWA EDUCATION COURSE CALENDAR

Self-Paced Instructor Assisted Online Courses

Are you looking for more flexibility and enjoy learning at your own pace? If so, you may want to consider taking one of the BCWWA online certification courses. There is a dedicated instructor available throughout the course to provide guidance and answer questions via email. Registration for the spring 2024 series will open on March 10, 2025, and courses will begin on April 4, 2025.

Self-Paced Continuous Enrollment Courses

You can enroll at any time. Once enrolled you will have three months to finish the course.

Instructor-Led Virtual Classroom Courses

These courses will be delivered by an instructor and will run for the same lengths and times that the ‘regular’

To see our full course schedule for 2025, please visit bcwwa.org/site/education/calendar.

CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL EXAM SCHEDULE

Schedule subject to change. Please visit the BCWWA CCC Exam Calendar at www.bcwwa.org/site/ccc/certification/calendar for more information and updates.

Certification Exam DATE

May 2, 2025 Pacific Vocational College (PVC)

May 3, 2025

May 3, 2025

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

May 9, 2025 Yukon University

May 16, 2025 Thompson Rivers University (TRU)

May 16, 2025

May 28, 2025

May 30, 2025

Piping Industry College of BC

Vocational College (PVC)

May 31, 2025 Camosun College

May 31, 2025 Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

June 6, 2025

Recertification Exam

April 17, 2025

April 25, 2025

May 3, 2025

May 10, 2025

May 23, 2025

Vocational College (PVC)

Piping Industry College of BC

May 24, 2025 Camosun College

June 2, 2025 Okanagan College

June 21, 2025

June 28, 2025

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

Advertiser Product & Service Centre

Watermark is made possible by the companies below who convey their important messages on our pages. We thank them for their support of BCWWA and its publication and encourage you to contact them when making your purchasing decisions. To make it easier to contact these companies, we have included the page number of their advertisement, their phone number, and, where applicable, their website.

888-863-8010www.cameroninstruments.com

604 942-0288www.centrixcs.com

604-294-2088www.kwl.ca

800-667-9600www.langleyconcretegroup.com

604-546-0255www.maple.ca

604-888-2223www.mar-tech.ca

604-683-8521www.mcelhanney.com

778-231-8880www.mpe.ca

705-797-8426www.netzsch.com

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