Spring 2026 Watermark Magazine

Announcing New Leadership in BC

Lewis Macrae has been appointed Division Manager, Infrastructure. Lewis has over 25 years of consulting experience in infrastructure design and construction. His expertise includes hydraulic modelling studies, infrastructure planning and assessment, conceptualization, design, construction, and commissioning.

Lewis Macrae, P.Eng. Division Manager, Infrastructure

Jonathan Musser has been appointed interim Manager, Regional Water. Based in Victoria, Jonathan has more than 15 years of experience as a design engineer and project manager. His experience focuses on the construction of water and wastewater treatment facilities. Jonathan brings a collaborative approach and diverse experience to his new role.

Jonathan Musser, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Manager, Regional Water

Dieter Diedericks, C.Dir., P.Eng., FEC, PMP Operations Leader

Quinn Crosina, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. Division Manager, Water

Dieter Diedericks has been appointed Operations Leader. In this newly created position, he will oversee safety, production management, business development, and administration functions, as well as the training and development of project managers.

Quinn Crosina has been appointed Division Manager, Water. Her 21 years of experience includes water and wastewater infrastructure planning and studies, including vulnerability assessments and resiliency planning. Quinn has broad experience in water treatment design and has managed multidiscipline design and construction projects for clients across BC.

Pratt

of Communication, Outreach and Engagement

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of the BCWWA.

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MICHELLE REVESZ

BCWWA President

BETWEEN TWO WATERS

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Penticton.

As I reflect on this past year – and on the privilege of serving as your President – I am struck by the vibrancy, generosity and resilience of our community. This has been a year of personal transition for me, including the loss of a parent and a career change. Through these moments, members from across our sector reached out with compassion, encouragement and wisdom. Your support reminded me that our Association is more than a professional network; it is a community that shows up for one another.

I was also fortunate to spend time with our Student Design Competition team, witnessing firsthand the talent, curiosity and optimism that will shape the future of our sector. Helping connect these emerging professionals with mentors and opportunities across our industry was the highlight of my presidency. It reinforced something I’ve always believed: when we invest in people, we strengthen the entire water community.

Our conference theme this year, ‘Where Waters Meet,’ reflects both our setting and our shared purpose. Penticton sits between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes – a place defined by connection,

PENTICTON SITS BETWEEN OKANAGAN AND SKAHA LAKES – A PLACE DEFINED BY CONNECTION, FLOW AND TRANSITION.

flow and transition. In many ways, our sector stands in a similar place. We are navigating between past and future, between traditional practices and emerging technologies, between immediate operational demands and longterm climate resilience.

This theme also aligns beautifully with the message shared by the Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. The Minister’s message speaks to the convergence of disciplines, governments and communities working together to steward one of our most vital resources. Their investments in LiDAR mapping, groundwater monitoring, watershed security and operator training reflect the BCWWA’s vision of safe water and a healthy water environment for people in BC and the Yukon.

Water connects us, and it is at these points of connection, these ‘places in-between,’

where our greatest opportunities emerge. Opportunities to learn from one another. To innovate. To build systems that are adaptive, resilient and grounded in community needs. To support the next generation of water professionals and to strengthen partnerships across jurisdictions and disciplines.

As my presidency comes to a close, I want to express my deep gratitude for the countless ways you contribute to this sector. Your dedication inspires me, and your collaboration gives me confidence in the path ahead.

I wish you an engaging, energizing and meaningful conference. May your time here –where waters meet – spark new ideas, new relationships and renewed purpose as we continue our shared work of stewarding BC and the Yukon’s water sector.

PetroWrap Anti-Corrosion System

LEE COONFER BCWWA CEO

WHERE WATERS MEET: MORE THAN JUST A CLEVER THEME

I admit it. I am a communications and branding nerd. I appreciate clever ad campaigns and marketing strategies. I love to explore how these initiatives can communicate a message, support a brand or create a call to action.

What does this interesting, albeit odd, fact about me have to do with this year’s BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show? Well, it all begins with this year’s theme, ‘Where Waters Meet.’ This may mean nothing to this audience. Yet for some, it may refer to the fact that Penticton is the convergence point of two

significant bodies of water, Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake.

For me, it does indeed acknowledge the geographic location of Penticton between these two lakes and so much more. During my time as CEO of BCWWA, I have experienced a wonderful educational journey on the complex realities of what we refer to as the ‘One Water’ sector. Despite my pre-conceived notions, I quickly discovered that I was woefully ignorant of all the moving pieces required. Each part working in absolute synchronicity to ensure a reliable and efficient flow from source to tap and back to the

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environment infrastructure system, all for the provision of safe and healthy drinking water for British Columbia and the Yukon.

In addition to the complex infrastructure that must work seamlessly to ensure the integrity and safety of water systems, they must operate in vastly different regions with very different geography, population densities and water use demands. And so, it finally dawned on me, One Water does aspire to achieve a unified objective, but it is made up of a diverse and highly skilled workforce, numerous demands based on urban and rural geographies and layers of regulatory oversight. In essence, many different waters make up the One Water sector.

And BCWWA’s mandate is to support all of them. One of the fundamental ways in which we do this is by embracing a strategic priority of Networking, where BCWWA is the convener of water sector events that bring together the many waters of the One Water sector to share information, learn best practices, receive valuable education and hear from decision makers responsible for water regulatory oversight. To maintain this valueadd for members, our conference program needs to constantly evolve. And we are doing that by designing a program that addresses current issues in the water sector, invites progressive and innovative speakers and offers an education program that meets the development objectives of water professionals. All the while keeping it fun and showcasing members through events like the Operator Challenge and the ‘Best of the Best’ BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test.

So, for me, the event title ‘Where Water Meets’ gives a nod to our host, the City of Penticton, and is also a tip of the hat to the diverse membership of the BCWWA and the many waters that make up the One Water sector.

This is my third annual conference, completing the Whistler, Victoria and Penticton conference trifecta. I look forward to seeing you all there!

BCWWA NEWS

STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS PRESENT AT COQUITLAM COUNCIL

Coming off the heels of their win at WEFTEC in Chicago, the winning BCWWA SDC was asked to present their findings to the City of Coquitlam at a Council meeting in December 2025. The team of UBC students, comprised of Jaden Gauw, Jaden Mah, Kajal Mishra, Cindy Chow and Megan Slot, shared insights on their innovative stormwater management solution for Coquitlam’s Nelson Creek Watershed and reflected on their journey to earning first place at both the regional BCWWA and international WEFTEC competitions. Thank you to city staff Trevor Cheung, Cassidy Stadel and UBC professor Dr. Zeina Baalbaki for their support during the competition.

BCWWA WELCOMES AWWA LEADERSHIP TO VANCOUVER

The BCWWA was pleased to welcome the American Water Works Association (AWWA) executive leadership to Vancouver for AWWA’s Winter Board Meeting in January 2026. CEO Lee Coonfer, alongside Deirdre Moran, AWWA Director for the BC Section, met with AWWA CEO David LaFrance, incoming President-Elect T.J. Stroebl and members of the AWWA Board. To mark the occasion, the visiting leadership team was outfitted with a pink ‘No Water, No Salmon’ t-shirt, the newest addition to BCWWA’s swag collection!

CITY OF COQUITLAM UTILITY PLANNING ENGINEER NAMED YP SUMMIT AWARD RECIPIENT

Congratulations to Cassidy Stadel, utility planning engineer at the City of Coquitlam, who was selected by the BCWWA to receive its YP Summit Award. The award supports the travel and attendance of one BCWWA representative to attend the 2026 Water Environment Federation (WEF) and American Water Works Association (AWWA) Young Professionals Summit in Charlotte, North Carolina, in March 2026. In valuing opportunities to connect with peers, Cassidy is excited to attend the YP Summit and learn from other young professionals and strengthen her ability to support her community.

WELCOME, ALEX BEYER!

In December 2025, the BCWWA welcomed Alex Beyer as the new Manager of Operations for the Association. Alex is responsible for ensuring BCWWA is a valuable resource to members and a great place to work. His portfolio includes reporting on the Association’s performance to support member and organizational relevance and development. Alex comes to the BCWWA from a long history of working and managing with not-for-profits from a Stroke Survivor Club, A Loving Spoonful, Food Bank and Vancouver Coastal Health. He has managed teams and programs delivering a variety of services from healthcare, food security to gaming and logistics. A long-time connoisseur of ‘Chateau Capilano’ water, he lives on the North Shore with his two children.

BCWWA EXTERNAL 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.

2026 DATES

DATE EVENT LOCATION

April 8–10, 2026

April 9–11, 2026

April 13–15, 2026

April 29 – May 1, 2026

April 27–30, 2026

April 28 – May 1, 2026

May 4–7, 2026

May 11–14, 2026

June 9–10, 2026

June 2–3, 2026

June 2–4, 2026

June 4–7, 2026

June 15–19, 2026

June 21–24, 2026

July 8–11, 2026

August 30 – September 2, 2026

October 21–22, 2026

RemTech East 2026 Ottawa, ON

2026 BCGWA Annual Convention, Trade Show and AGM

Kamloops, BC

IE Expo 2026 China Shanghai, China

BCWWA 2026 Annual Conference & Trade Show

Penticton, BC

CANECT 2026 Vaughn, ON

Water|Earth|Innovation Conference Grand Prairie, AB

NextWave 2026 Niagara Falls, ON

WEF Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology

Kansas City, MO

Canadian Water Network Blue Cities 2026 Gatineau, QC

CS4CA Canada (Cyber Security for Critical Assets) Summit Calgary, AB

SWAN 16th Annual Conference Tampa, Florida

FCM 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show Edmonton, AB

CWRA 2026 National Conference Winnipeg, MB

AWWA ACE26 Washington, DC

WEF/WEAT Collection Systems and Stormwater Conference 2026 Portland, OR

AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference & Exposition Indianapolis, IN

Yukon Water & Wastewater Workshop & Trade Show Whitehorse, YT

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A MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER OF WATER, LAND AND RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

Where Waters Meet: How BC is Building Resilient Water Systems

HON. RANDENE NEILL, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Penticton.

From drinking water and wastewater operators to engineers, technicians, researchers, regulators and suppliers, BCWWA members shepherd the full water cycle. Your expertise protects public health, sustains ecosystems and supports economic activity in every corner of our province. On behalf of the Province of British Columbia, thank you for the essential work you do every day.

The theme of this year’s BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show, ‘Where Waters Meet,’ is a meaningful one. Fittingly, this year’s conference takes place in Penticton, a city that serves as a bridge between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes.

‘Where Waters Meet’ also reflects the coming together of disciplines, technologies, governments and professionals to steward one of our most vital resources.

As Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, I see firsthand how climate change is reshaping our relationship with water. We are experiencing more intense floods, prolonged droughts, more frequent wildfires and shifting seasonal runoff patterns.

Building climate resilience and long-term water security is one of our government’s top priorities.

We are investing in better science and modern tools to help communities anticipate and respond to risk. Through a six-year, $38-million provincial LiDAR program, we are collecting high-resolution elevation data across BC to improve watershed analysis, floodplain mapping and hazard assessment. Working with federal partners, local governments and First Nations, we are updating floodplain maps in higher-risk areas and making them publicly available. Better information supports smarter infrastructure planning and more resilient communities.

At the same time, we are strengthening groundwater stewardship. Our public

WATER CONNECTS US ALL. IT CONNECTS UPSTREAM

AND

DOWNSTREAM COMMUNITIES, URBAN AND RURAL SYSTEMS,

PRESENT

NEEDS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THROUGH PARTNERSHIP, WE STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE ABILITY TO BUILD WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE RESILIENT, ADAPTIVE AND PREPARED FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE.

Groundwater Wells and Aquifers database now includes nearly 1,300 mapped aquifers, each with an assigned vulnerability rating. Improved monitoring and transparency help communities understand their water sources and plan for sustainable use.

Drought and water scarcity are increasingly significant challenges across BC. By improving monitoring, data sharing and watershed-level planning, we are equipping communities and water managers with the tools they need to respond proactively during dry seasons, protect environmental flows and safeguard essential supplies.

Healthy watersheds are foundational to all of this work. The Province has invested $100 million in the Watershed Security Fund, building on previous commitments to watershed health. Co-managed with First Nations partners, the Fund supports restoration, monitoring and long-term stewardship projects throughout the province. These investments strengthen ecological resilience while supporting community water security.

Of course, resilient systems depend on skilled professionals.

Many utilities – particularly small and rural systems – are facing workforce pressures, aging infrastructure and increasing complexity. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Health

and BCWWA, we continue to support training initiatives for small water systems operators.

The Small Water Systems training program helps ensure operators have the certifications and knowledge needed to maintain high standards of drinking water safety. Investing in training today protects public health for generations to come.

Ensuring access to clean, safe drinking water for all communities remains a core priority for our government. Look for more on that important work in a separate feature in this issue.

Within my ministry, our Water Utility Regulation team and Dam Safety Program continue to work closely with sector partners, sharing knowledge and engaging on emerging challenges. We value the insights you bring and the partnership we share in stewarding BC’s water resources.

Water connects us all. It connects upstream and downstream communities, urban and rural systems, present needs and future generations. Through partnership, we strengthen our collective ability to build water systems that are resilient, adaptive and prepared for a changing climate.

Thank you for your leadership and dedication. I wish you an inspiring and productive conference, and I look forward to continuing our work together.

Aerzen Canada is a leading provider of high-performance blower, compressor, and vacuum solutions serving industries across wastewater treatment, food and beverage, mining, chemical processing, and general manufacturing. We combine German engineering excellence with strong, locally delivered service and technical support.

Reliability and technical depth are core to who we are and we do not take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every solution is engineered for long-term performance, energy efficiency, and ease of maintenance. What truly sets us apart is our service philosophy: rapid response, highly trained technicians, and a commitment to supporting our equipment throughout its full lifecycle. Customers trust us because we stand behind our technology, and we show up when it matters most.

Over the past several years, Aerzen Canada has strengthened its regional teams across Western, Central, and Eastern Canada, expanded our service footprint, enhanced our monitoring and diagnostics offerings, and invested in strategic inventory to reduce lead times. This growth supports our mission of bringing faster, more responsive, and more knowledgeable local support to clients, from coast to coast.

Many of our customers operate in mission-critical environments where downtime is not an option – especially municipal wastewater treatment facilities and 24/7 industrial operations. Their challenges often revolve around energy efficiency, regulatory compliance, and equipment reliability. Aerzen supports them with energy-efficient blower technology, advanced monitoring systems, preventative maintenance programs, and a service team capable of rapid onsite intervention. Our focus is simple: keep their operations running at peak reliability with minimum interruption.

When customers work with Aerzen, they receive direct access to our technical experts, service teams, and leadership. We communicate clearly, set realistic expectations, and deliver on our commitments. It’s not just about selling equipment: it’s about supporting the facility for decades. Many of our client relationships span decades, which is a testament to earned trust and relationships built.

Our team is our greatest strength: we have highly skilled regional sales managers, service technicians, engineers, and operations professionals who take pride in delivering exceptional support. We invest in training, safety, and technical development to ensure our people are equipped to solve complex challenges. Collaboration and accountability are central to our culture. Looking forward, Aerzen is focusing on digitalization, predictive maintenance technologies, and strengthening regional coverage to ensure faster local response. Ultimately, our goal is to enhance reliability and elevate the customer experience across all sectors we serve.

The industry is moving toward smarter, more connected, and more energy-efficient systems. Municipalities and industrial operators are increasingly focused on sustainability, automation, and data-driven decision-making. Aerzen is preparing by advancing our turbo blower technology, expanding digital monitoring tools, and ensuring our teams are equipped with the expertise needed for next-generation systems. We are committed to leading the industry in both technology and service.

Our mission is to be your most reliable and valued partner in every project and every challenge.

THE WATERLINE

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

CANADA WATER AGENCY FUNDS 39 WIDE-RANGING NEW PROJECTS

The Canada Water Agency is spending $4.5 million for 39 new freshwater projects that range from efforts to combat runoff pollution through rain gardens on Vancouver Island to creating an open data platform for groundwater quality and level data in Toronto.

Thirty-four projects are under the EcoAction program, a cost-shared program that leverages partnerships for collective freshwater action. It requires organizations outside of the federal government to fund at least half of the total project value. The program targets freshwater quality, ecosystem health, water literacy, clean technologies, circular economy opportunities and freshwater data collection across Canada.

Source: Environmental Science & Engineering, January 12, 2026.

REBUILDING THE DAMAGED LYTTON WWTP, GREENLIGHT FOR INGONISH, AND WASTEWATER FUNDING FOR P.E.I.

Major federal, provincial, and municipal investments are flowing across Canada, with a significant boost announced for the Village of Lytton, British Columbia, as it continues to rebuild its wastewater treatment plant after a devastating 2021 wildfire.

In BC, more than $7.5 million in joint funding has been committed to upgrade the Lytton wastewater treatment plant. The project will replace failing and fire-damaged infrastructure, modernize operations, and improve wastewater quality before discharge into the Fraser River.

Upgrades include the installation of a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system to improve monitoring and process control, a new back-up power supply, and treatment enhancements designed to increase reliability and resilience. While the wastewater treatment plant survived the 2021 fire, officials say the improvements are critical to meeting future capacity needs as rebuilding continues.

Source: Environmental Science & Engineering, January 12, 2026

CONCORDIA STUDY HIGHLIGHTS NEW METHOD OF SNOWPACK WATER MEASUREMENT

Researchers at Concordia University announced they have developed a new method of measuring the amount of usable water stored in snowpacks.

The technique, known as snow water availability (SWA) employs climate reanalysis techniques and uses satellite data to calculate snow depth, density and snow cover across much of Canada and Alaska, a Concordia University release said. The data gathered using the methodology detailed in the study showed usable snow water declined sharply in areas of the Canadian Rockies, where major river headwaters originate. Changes in snowpacks were most evident in mid-elevation regions of the Rockies. Snow depth loss emerged as the main driver of SWA decreases in these areas, the release said.

The Okanagan – Similkameen drainage region in the British Columbia interior, the Assiniboine – Red River in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and the Saskatchewan River basin, which runs from the Rockies across the Prairies to Lake Winnipeg and beyond were the most affected.

Source: Water Canada, February 2, 2026.

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How The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Is

Protecting Drinking Water

Protecting drinking water in BC is essential to safeguarding public health, supporting resilient communities and sustaining the province’s environmental, social and economic well-being. Since 2022, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) has contributed strategic leadership to drinking water protection from source to tap, bringing together ministries with responsibilities to protect drinking water to work together in a coordinated, integrated, cross-government approach. This includes working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure public health is protected alongside natural resource stewardship responsibilities.

Under WLRS, many of the Province’s waterrelated functions are now consolidated under one roof, bringing together land use planning, water authorizations and source water protection tools (such as Water Sustainability Act objectives and water sustainability plans). The WLRS Minister is the Minister responsible for receiving the reports on drinking water protection prepared by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, and for considering recommendations for drinking water protection plans under Part 5 of the Drinking Water Protection Act. Further, WLRS plays a specific role in regulating private water utilities and

water user communities, which are among the many types of water suppliers operating in BC. Protecting drinking water starts with source water protection. The Ministry uses a science-based approach to identify hazards to drinking water sources and develop tools for land use planning, watershed governance, and emergency management.

WLRS also strives to support communities affected by drought conditions and water shortages, as well as community-based priority setting between industrial, agricultural, residential and environmental uses of water. These efforts help coordinate between water regulators and local communities in advance of water scarcity to support effective response during an emergency.

Two projects below highlight some of the work WLRS leads to protect drinking water in BC.

FEATURE PROJECTS

PROJECT 1: Drinking Water Sources Dataset Protecting drinking water begins with understanding where it comes from. As part of its work to advance source water protection in BC, WLRS has published the first release of the Drinking Water Sources Dataset, now publicly available as an interactive map on the

provincial Source Water webpage, through the BC Data Catalogue, and iMapBC. This new dataset brings together information on drinking water sources from across the province into a single, accessible resource. For the first time, geographic information on drinking water systems, intakes and wells, along with the protection zones and the source areas that supply them, can be viewed and explored at a provincial scale. The initial release of this dataset includes approximately 1,350 water systems, 1,900 validated intake and wellhead locations, 860 protection zone polygons, and 300 source area polygons. The dataset will continue to be expanded as additional water system information is validated.

Historically, information on drinking water sources in BC has been fragmented, difficult to access and inconsistent across regions. By bringing this information together in the Drinking Water Sources Dataset, WLRS is addressing a longstanding data gap and strengthening the foundation for source water protection across the province.

Improved access to source water information supports proactive and informed decision making across a range of activities. Local governments, First Nations, water system operators and

How to Access the Data

Search for ‘Drinking Water Sources’ 2. Download the three dataset layers: o Drinking Water Sources – Intakes/Wellheads

o Drinking Water Sources – Protection Zones

o Drinking Water Sources – Source Areas

Search for ‘drinking water’ provincial layers and add the four drinking water source layers to your map.

provincial agencies can use the dataset to support land use and community planning, watershed governance, emergency response and manage risks from hazards such as drought, wildfire, flooding and contamination. WLRS is working to expand the dataset over time and intends to engage with First Nations and water supply operators to improve coverage and map more than 5,000 water systems in the province. The dataset builds on lessons learned from earlier regional pilot projects and reflects close collaboration with Ministry of Health, regional health authorities and other partners. By making this dataset publicly available, WLRS is supporting a coordinated, science-based approach to source water protection and strengthening public health outcomes across BC.

PROJECT 2: Drinking Water Supply Status Survey and Tracking

In 2024, WLRS launched the Water Supply Status Survey to collect first-hand information from water suppliers about the condition of their water sources during the drought season. The survey was repeated in 2025 to continue building a clearer understanding of community water supply conditions from June to October, as well as the challenges faced by water suppliers during this period.

How were survey responses used? Survey responses gave the Province a clearer, real-time picture of how drought conditions

were affecting community water supplies across BC and highlighted the challenges water suppliers were facing. For systems experiencing water supply challenges, information was shared in real-time with the Province and with the relevant regional health authority.

After the survey closed, responses were analyzed to identify trends and key issues affecting water systems, and WLRS is pleased to share a summary of this information.

Who participated in the survey?

In 2025, WLRS expanded the survey distribution to include a broader range of community water suppliers and refined the survey questions. This led to participation from a more diverse group of water suppliers. WLRS received survey responses from 241 community water systems, including regional district, municipal, improvement district, utilities, water users’ communities and independent systems.

What did WLRS hear?

Throughout the survey period, three water systems reported experiencing a water supply shortfall, and 10 indicated they were anticipating one. Responses highlighted a range of issues affecting water suppliers across the province, not limited to drought. Many of these systems noted multiple factors contributing to their water supply challenges. The most commonly reported factors were:

• Drought (72%)

• Insufficient raw or potable water storage (56%)

• Infrastructure issues including aging and leaks (28%)

• Insufficient source capacity (28%)

Other challenges included well interference, source area disturbance, increased seasonal demand, funding limitations, saltwater intrusion and water quality concerns.

What did WLRS learn?

Survey refinements implemented last year provided a clearer picture of the complex issues community water suppliers are navigating across BC This year’s results show that water supply challenges are rarely caused by a single factor and often reflect a combination of climate, infrastructure and capacity pressures.

Government is committed to supporting water suppliers in strengthening their resilience, including to hazards such as drought conditions.

BY ORGANIZATION TYPE

As the Province continues to build its understanding of the issues and challenges water suppliers face, it will be better positioned to identify targeted actions and supports. Additional updates will be shared in 2026. Have questions for the WLRS Drinking Water Team? Or are you a community water supplier interested in participating in this year’s water status supply survey? Contact us at watersupplystatus@gov.bc.ca.

Conclusion

Drinking water protection is a public health priority, and WLRS is developing practical tools and working across government to help keep drinking water safe.

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Getting to Know the Trade Commissioner Service

A BCWWA interview with Lauren Hurst, Trade Commissioner

Written with support from Joanna Daramola

To start, could you tell us a bit about your background and your role within the Trade Commissioner Service?

I am a Trade Commissioner based in the Pacific regional office in Vancouver. I work with cleantech companies – including those in the water and wastewater sectors – to support their expansion into international markets. The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is part of Global Affairs Canada, where I have held various roles over the past 12 years. Canada has what the world needs, and I am fortunate to get to help Canadian companies take their expertise abroad.

For those unfamiliar, what exactly does the Trade Commissioner Service do? How does it support Canadian companies, and why should businesses consider reaching out?

The TCS helps Canadian businesses of all sizes and from all backgrounds access international opportunities and succeed on the global stage. Whether a company is new to exporting, looking to expand in existing markets, or seeking to diversify into new ones, the TCS offers expert, tailored advice to help them make informed decisions and take on their global expansion with confidence.

Companies can think of us as trusted partners in developing and implementing their international business strategy. In addition to our export advisory services, the TCS offers funding and accelerator programs, organizes Government of Canada-led trade missions, and supports companies at trade events around the world. In short, we help Canadian firms gain the tools, insights, connections, and visibility needed to succeed internationally.

The TCS plays an important role in helping water technology companies expand globally. What steps can a business take to become a client, and what types of support can they expect?

The TCS works with export- ready Canadian companies or organizations that have the capacity and commitment to operate beyond the domestic market. Becoming a client starts with an introductory conversation with a Trade Commissioner at one of our regional offices in Canada.

Once onboarded, clients gain access to Trade Commissioners across our network of offices in more than 160 cities worldwide. Our in - market trade experts provide practical guidance and market intelligence to help companies

determine where and how they are most likely to succeed. Every market is different, with its own political, economic and cultural landscape; we help companies understand these nuances and chart a realistic approach. In fact, many of our Trade Commissioners are local hires in countries abroad, selected for their business expertise, deep knowledge of their markets and the kinds of strategies that are right for their market.

We also connect clients with potential customers, partners and other qualified contacts abroad. If companies encounter challenges in a foreign market, we can help troubleshoot. Our mission is simple: to equip Canadian firms to make informed, confident decisions and reduce risks as they grow internationally.

Research shows that companies that work with the TCS consistently outperform those that don’t, exporting to more markets and generating higher export value. The TCS is also well positioned to support trade diversification, helping businesses pursue opportunities in regions they may not have previously considered.

A recent example is our support at WEFTEC 2025. Although the event was in Chicago, we coordinated meetings between Canadian businesses and delegations from 10 Latin American markets. Businesses supported by the TCS also met with Trade Commissioners based in those markets to discuss specific opportunities and water challenges in each region. Events like WEFTEC give companies a window into global markets far beyond the show floor.

TCS regional offices also collaborate closely with federal and provincial partners. If a company isn’t yet ready for international expansion, we can direct them to programs such as Export Navigator, Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) or the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to help them prepare. Together with our partners, we offer water technology companies a coordinated pathway toward global competitiveness.

What is something you think the water sector often overlooks about the TCS? Where do you see the greatest value in strengthening partnerships between suppliers and the TCS? Many companies don’t realize that the TCS can function as a proactive extension of their business development efforts. For water technology firms navigating complex international procurement systems, regulatory landscapes, and long sales cycles, early conversations with the TCS can help avoid unnecessary delays and missteps. When we understand a company’s goals and capabilities, we can share timely global opportunities such as pilot projects, accelerator programs, funding streams, procurement leads, and more.

With an on-the-ground presence in more than 160 cities worldwide, our greatest value comes from helping companies understand how markets actually operate and where their solutions can have the most impact. We provide insights on emerging needs –from drought-response technologies and water reuse to climate -resilient infrastructure – and connect companies with qualified potential project partners, including utilities and local firms. These in-market introductions can make a meaningful difference in countries where credibility and relationships are essential.

While we support companies at all stages of their international journey, our services are most effective when businesses have

the capacity to invest in global engagement. Travel, relationship-building and ongoing presence in key markets are critical to gaining traction abroad and fully benefiting from our support. When suppliers build long-term relationships with the TCS, they gain a strategic advantage: better-informed decisions, stronger partnerships and faster momentum in markets where trust, persistence and local presence matter.

Why is success in international markets important for Canada’s water sector as a whole? How does global engagement contribute to innovation and competitiveness at home? When Canadian water companies compete internationally, they encounter new regulatory frameworks, climate conditions, procurement models and infrastructure challenges. This exposure pushes firms to innovate, adapt, and refine their technologies. Solutions developed for demanding global conditions – whether reuse, energy efficiency, or nutrient recovery –often strengthen how we manage water systems domestically.

Global engagement also helps companies scale up. International contracts can support growth, attract investment, and fuel R&D. This strengthens Canada’s supply chains, creates skilled jobs in Canada, and keeps advanced engineering and manufacturing capacity anchored here at home. There is also a valuable feedback loop. Companies involved in global projects bring home insights on new technologies, policy trends and financing approaches. These lessons can shape domestic procurement, infrastructure planning and regulatory evolution.

For all these reasons, international success clearly benefits Canada’s water sector as a whole. It ensures Canadian companies remain competitive, informed by global best practices, and positioned as leaders in sustainable water solutions.

For suppliers or businesses wanting to learn more, what is the best way to connect with you or the TCS?

The best way to get started is by visiting tradecommissioner.gc.ca. Companies can explore our website to:

• learn more about how we can help them throughout their export journey;

• find out how to connect with the TCS regional office closest to where they are registered; and

• sign up for MyTCS to receive personalized emails about TCS tools and resources, funding opportunities, and upcoming trade missions, events and webinars.

I will also be attending the BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show and look forward to meeting people on the trade show floor or connecting afterwards!

Finding a Place in Water:

A Journey to SCADA Through Community and Opportunity

Professional pathways are rarely linear, and Andrew’s story shows how opportunity often emerges through community. Events like the SCADA & OT Conference & Trade Show, recently held by the BCWWA from November 18-19, 2025, at the Anvil Centre in New Westminster, create more than just a space for technical learning. They open doors, spark relationships and shape careers in ways few anticipate.

To better understand the significance of this emerging field, Watermark magazine spoke with Andrew Townend, Director and Senior Professional Electrical Engineer at PBX Engineering, on his key takeaways from the conference as a SCADA & OT Community of Practice co-lead and conference

exhibitor and why it is important to bring focus to the technologies making a real impact in communities.

From the start, Andrew did not initially envision a future in the water sector. With a background in electrical and controls, water felt like an adjacent field rather than a destination. When the opportunity to work closely with this sector arose, he accepted it with curiosity and gratitude. Over time, that openness evolved into commitment. By consistently investing effort into his work and relationships, Andrew found not only a role but a sense of belonging within the water community.

Today, he serves as co-lead of the SCADA & OT Community of Practice, helping create

spaces where professionals can exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies and strengthen the sector’s collective expertise. His journey reflects a broader truth: careers in water are often built through participation, contribution and a willingness to grow alongside the industry.

Building a Stronger Sector

Through his involvement, Andrew has developed a clear perspective on the challenges facing water utilities and technology providers. One of the most pressing issues, he says, is workforce sustainability – attracting and retaining the talent needed to design, build and workforce sustainability critical infrastructure. As experienced professionals retire and demand for technical expertise grows, the sector must continue to highlight meaningful career pathways.

At the same time, rapid technological advancement through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition technology, otherwise known as SCADA, is reshaping operational priorities and processes. The integration of digital systems, automation and artificial intelligence has expanded what utilities can achieve, but it has also introduced new risks. Cybersecurity is now a central concern, requiring organizations and municipalities to safeguard essential services while continuing to reliably serve communities and innovate systems.

For Andrew and his team at PBX, the priority is ensuring clients and operators have the knowledge and confidence to effectively navigate SCADA systems. Empowering users, he emphasizes, is fundamental to maintaining resilient and secure water operations.

The Power of the Conference Experience

Andrew describes this year’s SCADA conference as a “worthwhile experience.” From technical sessions to keynote insights from Graham Nasby, P.Eng, an industry-recognized leader in SCADA, OT and industrial automation, the event offered a concentrated view of the industry’s evolving landscape. Moreso, serving as a panel moderator allowed Andrew to engage more deeply in the conversations shaping the sector.

The networking session stood out as a highlight. It provided an opportunity to reconnect with peers, meet new professionals and strengthen relationships across the SCADA community. These informal moments, he says, are often where the most meaningful exchanges happen.

Andrew also left with new perspectives on cybersecurity, particularly from presentations and discussions with municipalities and system owners. Hearing directly from end users about their challenges and approaches provided valuable insight into how solutions must evolve to meet real-world needs.

Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

For Andrew, attending a conference that focuses on a specific technical area serves several purposes. It is a venue for sharing expertise, as colleagues present technical work and lessons learned. It is also a place to connect with industry partners, including competitors, in what he describes as a “friendly competition” and a respectful environment.

More importantly, the event is a chance to learn. With leading practitioners and subject-matter experts gathered in one place, the SCADA conference creates a concentration of knowledge that helps attendees stay ahead of industry shifts.

Small Moments, Lasting Connections

Not all connections happen in meeting rooms. Andrew notes that even small details, such as bringing some branded socks that are practical for field and office work to the exhibiting booth, can spark unexpected conversations with conference attendees. These moments reflect the welcoming nature of the water sector and its ability to draw people in.

Opportunity Through Participation

Looking back, Andrew’s path underscores the value of showing up – to events, to conversations, and to opportunities that may not fit a predefined plan. By engaging with the community and contributing his expertise to the growing field of SCADA technology within the water sector, he has helped shape the spaces that once helped shape him.

His story illustrates the broader impact of gatherings like the SCADA & OT Conference & Trade Show. They do more than share knowledge. They cultivate careers, strengthen networks and help ensure the water sector continues to grow with the talent and collaboration it needs for the future.

Interested in attending a future SCADA & OT Conference & Trade Show? The BCWWA looks forward to welcoming new and returning attendees at our next year’s SCADA & OT conference from November 18–19, 2027. Find more information about past and future conferences at bcwwascadaconference.org

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TED MOLYNEUX CWWA Director

WHERE REGIONAL WATERS MEET NATIONAL

Across Canada’s water sector, progress often happens at the confluence – where organizations, ideas and people meet to advance the shared goal of protecting and strengthening our water systems. As I provide this update from the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), the theme ‘Where Waters Meet’ feels especially fitting. Much of our recent work reflects collaboration between utilities, governments and sector partners working together across Canada. Two new commitments highlight the expanding role the CWWA plays in national discussions about infrastructure and water management. The first is supporting the next Canada Infrastructure Report Card, led by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). This will be the fourth edition of the report, and CWWA has been invited to participate on the Steering Committee, an expanded role compared with previous editions, where we served as advisors. The CWWA will also lead the review and commentary on the water and wastewater sections, helping ensure municipal utility perspectives are clearly reflected. Our second commitment in recognizing excellence in the sector is another area where collaboration is growing. Some years ago, the CWWA stepped back from running

its own utility awards program due to the significant resources required and relatively low nomination numbers. Since then, we have partnered with the Water Canada Water Awards, supporting the program for the past decade.

This year, CWWA is expanding that support to introduce two new award categories specifically for municipal utilities:

• Innovation and Early Adopter Award, recognizing utilities willing to take bold steps with new technologies and approaches.

• Public Outreach and Engagement Award, celebrating outstanding efforts to connect communities with the value of water services.

These awards are open to municipal utilities broadly, not just CWWA members, and will help highlight leadership and creativity within our sector.

Meanwhile, CWWA continues its national advocacy work. Over the past months, we have held several meetings with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) regarding the development of new federal funding programs and discussions around tariff responses and a potential ‘Buy Canadian’ approach for infrastructure procurement. We also participated in the Big City Mayors

event in Ottawa hosted by FCM, providing an opportunity to connect with municipal leaders on the challenges facing water infrastructure across Canada.

In addition, work continues with Health Canada on drinking water guidelines, as well as ongoing discussions related to flushable product standards, an issue that continues to have significant operational impacts for utilities.

I’d like to remind everyone to consider attending the 2026 CWWA Water and Wastewater National Conference, held November 1–4 in the Halifax Convention Centre. As I’ve mentioned before, it is half the size of our event, so more intimate and with a national flavour. The CWWA Executive Director, Robert Haller, will be in attendance at BCWWA’s Penticton conference. He loves meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends and talking about the initiatives listed above.

For those of us involved in the water sector, whether in British Columbia or across Canada, the year ahead will undoubtedly bring new challenges and opportunities. What remains constant is the importance of collaboration. Our strongest progress happens when utilities, associations and governments work together –where waters meet – to strengthen the systems that support our communities every day.

OUR STRONGEST PROGRESS HAPPENS WHEN UTILITIES, ASSOCIATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS WORK TOGETHER –WHERE WATERS MEET – TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY.

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DEIRDRE MORAN

AWWA Director

NO MEMBERS, NO MISSION

As we come into spring here in British Columbia and the seasons shift, it’s a reminder that the only constant is change –we see snowpack melt, rivers swell and water utilities adjust to changing conditions. 2025 was a turbulent year for AWWA with a new strategic plan and budget coming into effect, along with the implementation of NetSuite as a new ERP system. Despite the hurdles, AWWA has shown resilience, never wavering in offering value to members and hosting successful conferences and events throughout the year, including ACE25 held in Denver. Looking ahead to 2026, AWWA is embracing a member-centric focus to achieving its mission of “providing solutions to effectively manage water, the world’s most vital resource.” With this comes increased collaboration with Sections like ours here in BC to further improve the member experience.

The theme of this year’s BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show, ‘Where Waters Meet,’ ties into the importance of collaboration in reminding us that, like water, we don’t live in isolation, and connection and community is central to how we exist and function in the world. Improved linkages between AWWA Sections, the Association and other industry organizations are essential for the benefit of the industry as a whole and the future generation of water stewards.

This past January, AWWA held its winter Board meeting in Vancouver. It was an honour to host the Board locally in our beautiful province and share a little bit about what makes the BC Section so special. A land acknowledgement by Freda Leong, member of BCWWA’s Reconciliation Committee, opened the Board Special Session, followed by a welcome and overview of Metro Vancouver’s water system from Inder Singh, director of Interagency Projects & Quality Control, Water Services with Metro Vancouver. BCWWA CEO Lee Coonfer and I were happy to open the Board Meeting with a welcome and short introduction to BCWWA, sharing some of our Section initiatives that

are helping to advance Water 2050 strategic priorities, and sharing some Section-inspired ‘No Water, No Salmon’ shirts.

In March, the AWWA and WEF’s jointly held YP summit took place in Charlotte, NC, following the AWWA/WEF Utility Management Conference. These are both excellent examples of collaborative industry events that benefit members of both organizations and the water industry. BCWWA was pleased to select Cassidy Stadel, a utility planning engineer at the City of Coquitlam, as the recipient of the 2026 YP Summit Award to attend the Summit.

This year, the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) is hosting a collaborative conference with the other Canadian Sections of AWWA (Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, and British Columbia), supported by AWWA, to offer a uniquely Canadian conference opportunity in Niagara Falls. If you have not already registered, I would encourage you to consider the trip to Ontario following the BCWWA conference.

Last, but not least, looking forward to the summer, the ACE26 Annual Conference is scheduled to be held June 21–24, 2026, in Washington, DC. This year’s conference theme is ‘Water Heroes’ and promises to be an impactful learning and networking opportunity. More information and registration at ace.awwa.org

MIKE GOSSELIN WEF Delegate

CATCHING THE NEXT WAVE

The beginning of 2026 has been busy for the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and its House of Delegates. There have been efforts to support and grow WEF Communities through WEF Unity (https://community.wef.org), with a new platform for water professionals to network, collaborate and access resources. Many HOD representatives participate in work groups targeting industry needs and WEF development. Early 2026 work groups include AI strategies for water, international membership development, Member Association-to-Member Association engagement and CLC advocacy and engagement. More details are available on WEF Unity on their website. The WEF grant program reviewing 15 Member Association (MA) grants totalling over 200,000 and is accepting submissions for round two for 2026, which will be due in June. More information on this fantastic opportunity to check out WEF Unity for opportunities for our MA to participate.

The upcoming WEF Young Professional (YP) Summit is scheduled to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, from March 22–24, 2026. Aptly themed ‘The Next Wave – Navigating Water Sector Currents,’ this Summit promises to be a crucial event for all the YPs. These young professionals, who will soon be the leaders, operators, engineers and innovators of the water sector, play a vital role in ensuring the industry remains sustainable while continuing to provide safe supply, treatment and disposal services.

As the BCWWA WEF representative, I am proud that BCWWA will be helping to sponsor a young professional from BC to attend the Summit. This individual will join over 400 other attendees, all eager to learn from one another and support each other on their career journeys in this diverse industry. The Summit is a prime location for connecting with mentors, improving skill development, building leadership knowledge and gaining a deeper understanding of the water sector and its challenges.

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April 29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

Take part in a comprehensive Education Program feat uring 100+ speaker presentations and panel sessions, while ear ning Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Explore cutting-edge solutions from leading compani es and suppliers across the water industry.

Experience in hands-on activities and live demonstr ations designed to enhance your skills and technical expertise.

Connect with industry innovators, decision-makers a nd water professionals from across British Columbia and the Yukon.

REGISTRATION

Closes April 13

The BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) is pleased to announce that the 54th Annual Conference & Trade Show is heading to Penticton, BC! Join us for British Columbia’s premier One Water event, attracting water professionals from across the sector. Meet with over 1,200 attendees who work in all aspects of water management, from water and wastewater facility operators, utility managers, cross connection control specialists to consultants, engineers, government and regulatory staff, technicians, researchers and suppliers. The conference features over 100 presentations, multiple panel sessions, technical tours, activities and one of the largest trade shows of its kind in Western Canada.

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 is expected when attending both days of the conference.

Get Access BCWWA Member Rates

Before you register, make sure to purchase or renew your BCWWA membership first ($129) to access the discounted member registration rates. Visit bcwwa.org to get started.

On-Demand Access Returns!

We’re excited to share that select education sessions will once again be recorded at the 2026 annual conference and made available for on- demand viewing through the Pheedloop event platform. This on- demand library is included at no extra cost for full conference delegates attending the in-person conference in Penticton.

If you’re unable to travel, have limited organizational resources or work in a remote location, you can still access high-quality professional development. A standalone On-Demand Access Pass is available for purchase and provides access to recorded sessions after the in-person event.

On - demand content will be available on Pheedloop from May 22 to September 18, 2026. Save by registering early! Early bird rates for the On-Demand Access pass are open now. Regular online pricing begins April 28, 2026.

On-demand access is included with the Full Conference Delegate pass.

Wrap Reception Only

Wrap reception ticket is included in the following passes: Full Conference Delegate, Full Conference Student, Exhibitor Upgrade and Friday only. Additional Wrap Reception (limited tickets) are available for purchase onsite.

Exhibitor

Only for attendees with a confirmed booth space

Exhibitor Upgrade to Full Conference

Only for attendees with a confirmed booth space

Trade Show Walk-Through Registration

We look forward to welcoming delegates and guests to our annual trade show – one of the largest in Western Canada! Enjoy two days of networking, learning, and industry connections. If you’re not purchasing a delegate or exhibitor pass, you may still explore the trade show with a $25 on -site walk-through registration. This fee is available only during on -site registration and includes a trade show entry badge and a drink ticket for Wednesday’s Trade Show ‘Appy Hour.’

What’s

Included

• Appy Hour: Appetizers and a host drink on Wednesday, April 29, 6:30–7:30 pm (additional beverages available for purchase).

• Lunch: Lunch on the trade show floor on Thursday, April 30, 11:00 am–1:30 pm.

REGISTRATION SPONSOR

PEN SPONSOR

LANYARD SPONSOR

SPONSORS

POCKET PROGRAM SPONSOR

BREAKFAST SPONSORS

ACTIVITIES AND SESSIONS INCLUDED WITH EACH PASS TYPE

Full Conference

Delegate, Student & Exhibitor

Upgrade to Full Conference

One Day Conference

Pass – Thursday Only

One Day Conference Pass – Friday Only

Wrap Reception Only

Additional/Exhibitors

DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE APP

Did you know that you can access conference information directly through your mobile phone?

We’re pleased to offer all registered delegates a free and easy-to-use mobile app for use during BCWWA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show with 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 on iOS and Android mobile devices. Scan this QR code with your phone camera for a link to the download page!

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

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Marks 30 Years

OF WASTEWATER INNOVATION, BACKED BY STRONG BC

ROOTS

This year denotes a significant milestone for ECOfluid Systems, Inc., as the company celebrates 30 years of providing advanced wastewater treatment solutions to communities in British Columbia and beyond. Founded in Vancouver in 1995, ECOfluid has grown from a small technology-focused startup into an experienced designer, builder, and operator of wastewater treatment plants, with a particularly strong presence throughout British Columbia.

The company was founded by Karel Galland after he learned of an innovative European treatment technology known as Upflow Sludge Blanket Filtration (USBF). Seeing its potential, Galland established ECOfluid to introduce the compact and cost-effective treatment process to the North American market. The technology offered an alternative to conventional treatment methods by delivering efficient biological nutrient removal while continuing a smaller plant footprint and competitive operating costs.

While the core of ECOfluid’s work remains USBF technology, ECOfluid has designed or supplied 14 MBR facilities in BC, utilizing immersed Toray flat-plate membranes or other manufacturers’ membranes when clients or projects specified. The company has extensive experience in both the engineering and daily operation of membrane systems.

As ECOfluid commemorates 30 years, its focus remains clear to continue delivering reliable wastewater treatment solutions to communities across British Columbia.

Over the past three decades, ECOfluid has completed roughly 140 wastewater treatment installations, upgrades, and other projects across British Columbia, with more than 200 projects delivered worldwide. The company’s work spans municipal systems, private developments, resorts, indigenous communities, and industrial applications, each calling for reliable, site-specific solutions.

Among the projects ECOfluid highlights is the wastewater treatment plant serving Nanoose First Nation on Vancouver Island, and the facility at Sun Peaks Ski Resort. At Nanoose, ECOfluid designed and built the plant in 2003 and has operated the facility ever since, employing members of the Nation as plant operators and providing ongoing operational support.

Sun Peaks Ski Resort presented a different challenge. Designed and built by ECOfluid in 1999, the plant was designed to handle the demanding seasonal operating conditions associated with a major resort destination. Over time, the system has been expanded through several phases, growing from a capacity of less than 1,000 people equivalent to about 5,000 as the resort has expanded.

Over the last three decades, ECOfluid has had the privilege of collaborating with many Indigenous communities across British Columbia and beyond, including projects with Beecher Bay First Nation, Nanoose First Nation, Osoyoos Indian Band, and the Shishalh Nation, as well as Indigenous communities in Arizona and Washington State.

Setting ECOfluid apart is its operations and maintenance division, ECOfluid Technologies Inc., established in 1998. In a fully integrated model, the group is simultaneously the designer, equipment supplier, builder, and operator. This holistic structure enables continuous feedback between operators and engineers, resulting in practical designs, rapid troubleshooting, and long-term reliability.

The group currently operates ten wastewater treatment facilities in BC and provides services such as start-up support, plant operations, equipment maintenance, and compliance reporting.

Although the company has successfully completed projects in Canada, the United States, China, and Jamaica, BC has always been and will remain its home market. As ECOfluid commemorates 30 years, its focus remains clear to continue delivering reliable wastewater treatment solutions to communities across British Columbia.

April 29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Subject to change, updated March 2026.

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.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026

TIME EVENT/ACTIVITY

11:45 am – 3:15 pm Technical Tour Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Registration

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Trade Show

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

3:00 pm – 6:30 pm Operator Challenge Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Young Professionals Reception Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Operator Reception Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Trade Show ‘Appy Hour’

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026

7:00 am – 1:00 pm Registration

7:00 am Breakfast

Trade and Convention Centre

Trade and Convention Centre (SOEC)

7:45 am – 9:15 am Opening Session with Keynote Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (SOEC)

9:15 am – 9:30 am Coffee

Trade and Convention Centre

9:30 am – 11:00 am Education Sessions Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

9:30 am – 10:30 am ‘Best of the Best’ BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

9:30 am – 1:45 pm Trade Show Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

9:30 am – 11:00 am Industry Innovation Showcase Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

11:00 am – 1:30 pm Lunch

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

1:30 pm – 4:45 pm Registration The Penticton Lakeside Resort

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm Education Sessions The Penticton Lakeside Resort

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm Coffee The Penticton Lakeside Resort

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Education Sessions The Penticton Lakeside Resort

5:15 pm – 6:15 pm CCC Connect: Let’s Talk Support & Action The Penticton Lakeside Resort

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026

7:00 am – 4:30 pm Registration

7:00 am – 8:00 am Coffee

8:00 am – 9:30 am Education Sessions

9:30 am – 9:45 am

Penticton Lakeside Resort

1:15

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Education Sessions The Penticton Lakeside Resort

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm Wrap Reception

Penticton Lakeside Resort

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026

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OPENING SESSION AND KEYNOTE

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 7:45 am – 9:15 am

VENUE: South Okanagan Events Centre (enter via PTCC)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Georgia Peck

SPONSORED

BY

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

GEORGIA PECK

Georgia Peck is the Lakes Program Manager at Living Lakes Canada, where she has led the Foreshore Integrated Management Planning (FIMP) program since 2020. In this role, she oversees nationally recognized, community-driven lake stewardship initiatives that support evidence-based decision-making across Canada. With a professional background spanning public outreach, environmental education, and the management of local stewardship organizations, Georgia brings a strong applied perspective to freshwater governance.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology from Trent University and is currently completing a Master of Environmental Practice at Royal Roads University. In 2022, Georgia co-authored the Local Indigenous Knowledge and Values Framework, a foundational advancement for lake assessments that meaningfully bridges Indigenous Knowledge systems and Western science within a federally developed protocol. Her work has helped embed reconciliation, respect, and practical collaboration into lake management practices nationwide.

FIRE PROTECTION STORAGE TANKS

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

The Water We Share: How Local Collaboration Builds Resilient Water Systems

Water challenges don’t stop at jurisdictional boundaries or professional disciplines. From snow drought to drying wetlands and rivers, the issues facing our watersheds demand collaboration across engineering, hydrology, community planning, and environmental stewardship.

In this keynote, Living Lakes Canada’s Georgia Peck explores how technical water professionals intersect with community-led action, Indigenous Knowledge, and on-the-ground environmental work to build resilient water systems. Drawing on real-world examples from across British Columbia, she connects hydrologic data, lake foreshore planning, wetland restoration, and groundwater monitoring to tell a bigger story about protecting the headwaters that we all rely on.

You’ll hear why resilient communities depend on cross-sector collaboration and gain a fresh perspective on how your local work drives impact across the

Trenchless Specialists

EDUCATION PROGRAM

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and Penticton Lakeside Resort

FRIDAY, MAY 1

TIME: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Lakeside Resort

SPONSORED BY

We are pleased to announce this year’s conference theme: ‘Where Waters Meet,’ which will guide our Education Program.

To truly know British Columbia and the Yukon is to understand the vast, wild and rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean, these regions are defined by ancient forests, abundant wildlife, pristine mountain glaciers and a confluence of lakes, rivers and streams. Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have been the stewards of these lands and waters. Their deep connection to the natural world is what guides us in our evolving relationship with this diverse environment and defines our shared history.

At the heart of this year’s conference is the celebration of the many roads, waterways and geographies that make up BC and Yukon regions. Because we don’t exist in isolation – we thrive through connection, conversation and community. What unites us in navigating the vast and vital water resources across our provinces? How can we protect and sustain these resources for future generations? Let this be a space where diverse perspectives, emerging insights and new ideas converge and shape your work.

29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

9:30 am –10:00 am Management of Change Saman Khoddam –Capital Regional District

10:00 am –10:30 am When Systems Converge to Strengthen Water Supply Resilience

Jaco Esterhuizen – WSP

10:30 am –11:00 am Managing Infrastructure Risk in Active River Corridors –Water Main Exposure

Jason Miller –Kerr Wood Leidal

Brown Water Blues –West Kelowna’s Emergency Response to Manganese Discoloration

Robbie Venis – AECOM

Microplastics in Drinking Water Distribution Systems WRF 5338

Michael Mckie – CIMA+

Toxic Tales – Filtering the Facts About Arsenic in Drinking Water

Andrew Sheroubi –Delco Water, a division of Delco Automation

800 Surveys Later– Lessons for Better Lagoon and Pond Management

Andrew Ambrocichuk –Hydrasurvey

Big Pipes, Big Data –Advances in Metallic Pipeline Condition Assessment

Josh Greenberg – Xylem

Leading the Way in Proactive Pipeline Management – In-Service Condition Assessment of Kamloops’ Critical Watermain Javed Mukri – Pure Technologies, a Xylem brand

Better Safe Than Sorry, a Proactive Approach to Critical Concrete Pressure Pipe Maintenance

Dave Brewer –USC Utility Supply (West)

Measuring ROI on Resilience – Operational Resilience Programs for Water Utilities

Steven Dowker –Carollo Engineers

Proactively Managing the Critical York-Peel 1800 CPP Feedermain Yvonne Post – GEI Consultants Canada

Climate Change and Water Supply – Practical Insights from the Field

Remko Rosenboom –Sunshine Coast Regional District

Securing Water in a Warming World –Delta’s Innovative Irrigation Strategy

Harvy Takhar – City of Delta

Environmental Flow Needs in a Changing Climate –Framing Future Flows

Richard Cunningham – WSP

LAKESIDE RESORT

1:45 pm –

2:15 pm Connecting Watersheds and Water Treatment

Kayla Giovannini –City of Dawson Creek

2:15 pm –2:45 pm

Beneath the Park –Collaborative Delivery of Shared Space Infrastructure

Donovan Klassen –Carollo Engineers

Osoyoos’ Community Resilience Journey –From Ground to Surface

Mark Peralta –University of British Columbia Planning, Staging, and Collaboration –Delivering a Water System Start-Up during High-Risk Summer Conditions

Walt Bayless –HDR Corporation

2:45 pm –3:15 pm

Resilience by Default –Developing Standards for Canadian Water Systems

Shari St. John –Carollo Engineers

COFFEE BREAK

Springbank Off-Stream Storage Dam and Reservoir Project

Candice Lukaszewicz –Stantec

Low DO Operations for Biological Nutrient Removal and Energy Savings

Michelle Young –Carollo Engineers

Durability Assessment and Rehabilitation of Lulu Island WWTP

Clarifier Tank Pejman Azarsa – WSP

Innovative Heat Recovery System at Montreal’s Ozone Disinfection Facility

Paul Williams –AtkinsRealis

Applying Asset Management Principles to Local Government Flood Protection Programs

Mike Currie –Kerr Wood Leidal

Best Practices for Your Wastewater Pump Station

Rehabilitation Project Mike Zappone –Carollo Engineers

How Water & Wastewater Utilities Can Benefit from BC Hydro’s Strategic Energy Management Strategy Louis De Lange –Associated Engineering

Uncovering the Hidden Dynamics Inside Your Distribution Network

Brian Simpkiss –Badger Meter

Creek Water Quality Monitoring and Improvement

Jeff Reddekopp –City of Coquitlam

Is Disinfecting Your Groundwater Forming Toxic Byproducts?

Warren Grafton –Western Water Associates

Stormwater Management in the North – Lessons from Whitehorse’s City-Wide PCSWMM Model Build

Mohamed Gaafar –Stantec

Where Water Meets Decision-Making –Hydraulic Modeling for Municipal Water and Sewer Capacity Assessments

Dr Werner De Schaetzen –GeoAdvice Engineering

Rapid Calibration, Smarter Decisions –Transforming Hydrant Flow Testing with Whistler

Andrea d’Andrade –GeoAdvice Engineering

3:30 pm –4:00 pm

Changing How We Work with Indigenous Communities Freda Leong –Associated Engineering

4:00 pm –4:30 pm

Delivery, Community Partnership –Saulteau First Nations Wastewater System Project Andrew Templeman –Urban Systems

4:30 pm –5:00 pm

Preventing Permanent Boil Water Advisories Through Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment

Common Concerns About AI Risk Predictions

Dan Hack – VODA.ai

Optimizing Filtration for Industrial Wastewater Performance –A Case Study

Leena Struzina –Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC)

Seeing Is Understanding –Using Virtual Reality to Improve Design Review and Decision-Making

Donovan Klassen –Carollo Engineers

Hans Seidemann –Colliers Project Leaders Low DO, High Impact – Sustainable Nutrient Management Integrating Mobile Media

Where Waters Diverge – Industrial Runoff Control in a Marine Environment Colin Taylor – WSP

Sandeep Sathyamoorthy – Stantec Data Driven Optimization of Fine Screening and Grit Removal

Saman Khoddam – Capital Regional District

Water Main Replacement Project in a Remote Rural Community Sylvan Daugert –Village of Masset

Building Beside Live Pipes – Managing Risk and Protecting Existing Infrastructure

Santiago Paredes M. –Kerr Wood Leidal Associates

Emergency Protection of Cowichan River Potable Water Supply Mains

Jeff Miller –District of North Cowichan

Financial Modeling for Vancouver’s Healthy Waters Plan

Jennifer Tavantzis –Raftelis

How Utilities Can Increase Treatment Resilience to Wildfires

Lynn Stephens –Brown and Caldwell

Optimizing Sewer Separation Investments Through Cost-Weighted Prioritization

Jessica LeNoble –Kerr Wood Leidal Associates

Implementing Adaptive Pathways in Vancouver’s Healthy Waters Plan

Rosey Jencks –Artemisa Consultants

Holy Smokes –Resiliency from Wildfires for Drinking Water Systems

Tim Rynders –CDM Smith

Preparing Water Utilities for Wildfire Response

Zee Marcolin –Regional District of North Okanagan

FRIDAY, MAY 1

LAKESIDE RESORT

ROOM Salon A

April 29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

B

1/ Moderator Jessica LeNoble Thomas Bekenn

WATER

8:00 am –

8:30 am Where Generations Meet

Bart Nelissen –MPE, a division of Englobe

8:30 am –9:00 am Building a Resilient Watershed Workforce

Alan Shapiro –BC Water Legacy

Value Management in Capital Infrastructure Investments Mushtaq Rabbi –MEMAR Value Strategies

Overcoming Funding Challenges – How Small Communities Deliver Big Infrastructure Projects

Hans Seidemann –Colliers Project Leaders

9:00 am –

9:30 am Why Operational Workforce Development is a Key Focus of Metro Vancouver’s Updated Drinking Water Strategic Plan

Linda Parkinson –Metro Vancouver

Large Irrigation System Capital Planning (Kelowna Non-Potable Master Plan)

Luke Dempsey –City of Kelowna

Rapid Infiltration Basins – Performance Decline, Remediation and Rehabilitation

Ryan Rhodes –Western Water Associates

UV-LED Disinfection –Economic and Operational Insights for BC Remote Systems

Majid Keshavarzfathy –AECOM

Creston Valley Alternative Water Supply Feasibility Assessment

Drew Lejbak –Associated Environmental Consultants

The Many Faces of Buffalo Pound WTP –Operation During Construction Theresa Luby – Stantec

Are Your Lamps Getting Dim?

Jonathan Musser –Associated Engineering

Field Experience with Leakage Characterization in Canadian Water Distribution Systems Bradley Jenks –HydraTek & Associates Applying the One Water System Risk Management Approach Virginie Brunetaud & Harshan Radhakrishnan –Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) Shona Robinson & Colwyn Sunderland –Kerr Wood Leidal

Full-Scale Experience of Thermal Hydrolysis with Co-Digestion of Various Organics

Bill Barber – Cambi

Backwash Pressure –The Silent Filter Killer Brett Hambley –AW Filter

9:45 am –10:15 am Building While Operating – Sequencing Strategies for Wastewater Upgrades

Setare Seyedain –Carollo Engineers

10:15 am –

10:45 am Keeping Flow Inside – Re-thinking Bypass Systems for Infrastructure Upgrades

Annie Hung –Kerr Wood Leidal

10:45 am –11:15 am Flow Metering Technology & Implementation Considerations

Dirk Steyn –Jadler Industries

Extending Clarifier Life via a Mid-Life Rehabilitation Program

Rowan Ross –R. V. Anderson

City of Maple Ridge 236 St Pump Station and Rechlorination Facility Satej Kulkarni – Stantec

Performance Assessment and Remedial Design for a Stormwater Sedimentation Pond

Karin Bjorklund –Kerr Wood Leidal

Managing Stormwater Impacts from Densification and Climate Change Andrew Clow –Water Street Engineering

Designing Facilities to Meet the Needs of Communities

Jenni Chancey – EOCP

Where Sewer and Storm Meet – Untangling Combined Sewer Systems

Adrien d’Andrade –GeoAdvice Engineering

Practical Pathways to Improve Legacy Slow Sand Filtration Systems

Kristof Karpiuk –MS Filter Systems

Upgrading the CPCC to Secondary Treatment – Liquid Waste Management Planning to Execution Seamus Frain – WSP

Changing Where Waters Meet to Safeguard the Fraser River Ian Snyman – WSP

Integrated Project Delivery for Cranbrook UV Disinfection Facility –A Collaborative Approach to Water Infrastructure Samira Harris – Kiewit A Source-to-Sea Modelling Framework for Understanding Anthropogenic Impacts Where Waters Meet Méven Huiban – DHI Water & Environment

Non-Potable Water Design and Implementation –A Case Study

Keith Kohut –Associated Engineering

Strengthening Squamish – Flood Resilience Where Waters Meet Nick Wodzianek – WSP

Transforming SCADA into a Unified Utility Platform

Elise Moore –Carollo Engineers

Making IT/OT

Co-existence Possible Zane Spencer – MPE

Controlling the Narrative Brendan White –PBX Engineering

LAKESIDE RESORT

A

3/Moderator Jennifer Brown

1:15 pm –1:45 pm Planning to Implementation –Building Support for CRD’s MultiGenerational Water Program

Jude D Grounds –Carollo Engineers

1:45 pm –2:15 pm Surface vs. Groundwater –Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Missezula Lake Water System

Marta Green –Associated Engineering

2:15 pm –2:45 pm I Messed Up... Now What?!

Darcy Dion – EOCP

Can Land Application of Biosolids Contaminate Groundwater With PFAS?

Rasha Maal-Bared –CDM Smith

PFAS in the Pacific Northwest – Planning Under Regulatory Uncertainty

Martin Earle –Carollo Engineers

Analytical Roadblocks –Understanding and Resolving PFAS Measurement Gaps in WRFs

Farokh Laqa Kakar –Brown and Caldwell

Why is Emergency Operations & Incident Command for Public Works Important?

Ronald Enns –Dragonetti Group

Managing Hydrofluorosilicic Acid Risk – Rethinking First Aid for HighConsequence Chemical Exposure

Justin Pellerin –Levitt–Safety

Managing Risk Beyond the Flood – The Grand Forks Experience

Nicola Van Der Mark –Associated Engineering

AI on Tap – Ensemble Machine Learning for Influent Flow Forecasting Sandeep

Sathyamoorthy –Stantec

Septic to Sewer Conversion to Protect Our Waterways

Christine McTavish –E/One

From California to BC – Lessons for Water Resilience

Dana Haasz –Kerr Wood Leidal

Pinpointing Infiltration & Inflow (I&I) in Wastewater Collection Systems

Jay Boyd – Grundfos

Can Online Searches Predict Water Demand?

A Behavior-Aware Modeling Approach

Mohamad Zeidan –University of British Columbia

Improving Water Demand Forecasting Using WeatherInformed Data Augmentation

Biniam Abrha Tsegay –University of British Columbia, Okanagan COFFEE BREAK

Introduction to Alternative Project Delivery

Samira Harris – Kiewit

Stephen Horsman –Carollo Engineers

Trevor Billows –PCL Construction

Ali Taleb – CIMA+

Patrick Aylard –City of Kelown

3:00 pm –3:30 pm Treatability Testing for Changing Water and/or Water Quality Objectives

Matthew Henney –Associated Engineering

3:30 pm –4:00 pm Construction Dewatering –Challenges in the Lower Mainland due to Changes in Regulations, Permitting & Guidelines

Holly Grewall –Keystone Environmental

4:00 pm –4:30 pm

Navigating New Requirements Under the Emergency and Disaster Management Act

Matt Lane –Colliers Project Leaders

Gaudin Creek Community Detention – A ForestIntegrated Approach to Stormwater Management

Jonathan Funk –Wedler Engineering

Polson Park Vernon Creek Naturalization –A Case Study of Creek Restoration in an Urban Setting

Ivano Biagioni –Stantec

40 Years of Changes in the Mission Creek Watershed Bob Hrasko –Black Mountain Irrigation District

Transforming Clarification –The Ruthven DAF Conversion Case Study

Kristin Faulkner –Napier Reid

From Filter Failure to Facility Resilience

Alan LeBlanc – CDM Smith

Valves Don’t Age Like Wine – Managing Your Aging System of Valves

Steve Causseaux –Cla–Val

It Doesn’t Have to Stink – Wastewater Odour Control 101 Ashley Boulter –USP Technologies

Doing More with Less –Headworks Improvement for CVRD

Arezoo Tavana –Carollo Engineers

Operational Learning –Practical Solutions for Learning from Everyday Work

Fernando De Melo –RAM Consulting

Balancing Regulation, Operation, and the Environment at Headgates Dam Paige Ross –Kerr Wood Leidal

From Digital Twin to Decision Intelligence –How DecisionFocused Digital Twins Can Transform Outcomes for Utilities

Michele Samuels –Xylem

Safeguarding Water and Wastewater Systems – Securing Critical Infrastructure for Public Safety

Jessie Gill – Parsons

CCC Programs –Interpretation and Applications of Codes and Standards

Trevor Hoff – MTS

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.

TECHNICAL TOURS

TECHNICAL TOUR 1:

ROSE VALLEY WATER TREATMENT PLANT

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026

TOUR TIME: 11:45 am – 3:15 pm

FACILITY TOUR: 1 hour and 30 minutes

TRANSPORTATION: 2 hours (round-trip)

PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATION:

Meet at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (273 Power Street, Penticton, BC) at the bus pick-up zone.

The Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant uses treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air flotation, filtration, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, chlorination, and potassium permanganate. Its multi-barrier system provides drinking water which exceeds federal and provincial guidelines. The plant has the capacity to treat up to 70 million litres of water daily and was designed so the City of West Kelowna can increase its capacity to 115 million litres per day to meet future demand.

TECHNICAL

TOUR

2: KELOWNA WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026

TOUR TIME: 9:00 am – 12:30 pm

FACILITY TOUR: 1 hour and 30 minutes

TRANSPORTATION: 2 hours (round-trip by bus)

PICK-UP/DROP-OFF LOCATION:

Departing from the Penticton Lakeside Resort (21 Lakeshore Drive West, Penticton, BC).

The Kelowna Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) is a Level IV designated treatment facility, owned and operated by the City of Kelowna. It is staffed with 16 operators, 4 mechanical staff, and 5 E/I staff, and has been in operation at this site since 1913. The facility currently utilizes modified Bardenpho technology to biologically reduce and remove nutrients from the wastewater stream. It has a rated capacity of 70,000 m³/day (70 MLD), with wastewater collected by 45 lift stations throughout the city, serving an equivalent population of approximately 140,000. The treatment facility discharges via a deep outfall into Lake Okanagan. It is one of the first BNR (biological nutrient removal) plants in the world designed for cold-weather applications.

ACTIVITIES

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre – Atrium

Back by popular demand, the Operator Challenge returns! This is a unique opportunity for BC’s top operators to compete in teams, share their skills and knowledge, and be recognized for their work as water and wastewater professionals. This year, teams will compete in three events: Pipe Repair Challenge, Lockout Challenge and ‘Test the Waters’ Trivia Event.

SPONSORED BY

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’ RECEPTION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre – Room 6

All young professionals are invited to this reception to connect, network and build relationships with peers and seasoned industry leaders.

SPONSORED BY

OPERATOR RECEPTION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre – Atrium

Join fellow operators for a relaxed and enjoyable reception –perfect for reconnecting, swapping stories, and meeting peers from across the industry. Enjoy a drink and a light snack while you mingle, before you head back to the trade show.

SPONSORED BY

TRADE SHOW ‘APPY HOUR’

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

TIME 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

Connect and catch up with colleagues and exhibitors while enjoying light bites and beverages on the trade show floor at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

SPONSORED BY

TRADE SHOW LUNCH

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

Enjoy a buffet lunch with colleagues and exhibitors on the trade show floor at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.

SPONSORED BY

RESOURCE ZONE

APRIL 29–30

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

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

EMCO WATERWORKS

BCWWA HOSPITALITY NIGHT

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

VENUE: LOCAL Public Eatery (1070 Eckhardt Avenue W.)

Join EMCO Waterworks for a night of networking steps from the conference venue at the LOCAL Public Eatery in Penticton. Swing by the EMCO booth (#13) during the trade show to grab your wristband and secure your spot.

SPONSORED BY

‘BEST OF THE BEST’

BC & YUKON TAP WATER TASTE TEST

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 9:30 am – 10:30 am

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre – Atrium

Who will claim the title of BC and the Yukon’s best-tasting tap water in 2026? Come find out!

The “Best of the Best” BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test returns to the BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show. A panel of esteemed judges will sample tap water from communities across BC and the Yukon as they compete for top honours.

SPONSORED BY

INDUSTRY INNOVATION SHOWCASE

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

TIME: 9:30 am – 11:00 am

VENUE: Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

We’re back with a camera in hand as we connect with exhibitors at their booth in an engaging one-on-one conversation on how they are innovating the sector. Each presenter will get three minutes of presentation/demonstration time to educate about their new “innovation” (product, equipment, service or technology) and another two minutes to answer prepared questions asked by the host. A compilation video will also be available following the conference.

SPONSORED BY

BCWWA AWARDS LUNCH

FRIDAY, MAY 1

TIME: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

VENUE: Penticton Lakeside Resort – East Ballroom

Join us for a special awards lunch at the Penticton Lakeside Resort! BCWWA will present its award program to individuals and organizations in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the water and wastewater sector.

SPONSORED BY

WRAP RECEPTION

FRIDAY, MAY 1

TIME: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

VENUE: Penticton Lakeside Resort – East Ballroom

Join us in the East Ballroom for a wrap party of refreshments, networking and lakeside views as we celebrate the end of another fantastic conference!

SPONSORED BY

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.

April 29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

TRADE SHOW FLOOR PLAN

Bender Canada, Inc. 42 ACO Systems

Company

Gentis Water Company Ltd/ UV Pure Technologies, Inc.

Summit Valve and Controls

CB Process Instrumentation and Controls

KSB Pumps, Inc.

Landmark Structures

Merlin Instrumentation

Ebara HG ulc

Flow Systems

CLOW Canada

Canada Pipe

EXHIBITOR

McElhanney

BettsM Controls, Inc. 61 WSP Canada, Inc. 62 KBL Projects 63 Layfield Geosynthetics

64 Velocity Water Services, Inc. 65 Victaulic 66 Mearls Machine Works Ltd.

67 Wolseley Waterworks

68 Wolseley Waterworks

69 Exceed Electrical Engineering 70 Diachem Polymers Ltd.

71 ICONIX Waterworks

72 BI Pure Water 73 Cambridge Brass 74 Alfa Laval, Inc. 75 IPEX, Inc.

76 Valid Manufacturing Ltd.

Hach

Cleartech

Guillevin Automation 80 Hy-Line Sales

Group

SCG - Process (Smith Cameron Pump Solutions) 55 Star Pipe Products 56 Franklin Electric 57 ADS Environmental Technologies, Inc. 58 Drillwell Enterprises

Clean Harbors 82 Insituform Technologies Limited 83 MPE, a division of Englobe

NETZSCH Canada, Inc.

85 Endress+Hauser c/o Centrix Control Solutions 86 DN Tanks

EECOL Electric

88 ISCO AH-McElroy

89 EP Engineered Pump Systems Ltd.

Toray Membrane

Aerzen Canada, Inc.

99 Chemline Plastics Ltd. 100 H2 Flow Tanks & Systems, Inc. 101 Canadian Induracoat Corporation

Viega LLC

807 Spaans Babcock, Inc.

809 Inland Divers Underwater Service Ltd. 810 AWC Solutions 811 Lambourne Environmental Ltd.

812 Gescan, A Sonepar Company

813 Evoqua Water Technologies

814 Hanley Agencies Ltd.

815 Ainsworth, Inc.

816 AE Concrete

817 Working for Watersheds

818 Andrew Sheret Limited

819 Crane Pumps and Systems

820 Westech Industrial Ltd.

821 Chamco Industries

822 HUBER Technology Ltd.

823 MS Filter Systems, Inc.

824 AWI Anthratech Western, Inc.

825 Onsite Engineering Ltd.

826 Franklin Water Treatment Canada, Inc.

827 Rollins Machinery

828 Vanko, Analytical & Instrumentation Specialists

829 3M Canada

830 Waste Go

831 Brenntag Canada

832 Kamstrup Water Metering

833 Benchmark Instrumentation

834 WAGO

835 Delco Water

836 PSD Citywide, Inc.

837 Wach Canada Ltd.

838 Park Derochie

BOOTH EXHIBITOR

839 BioMaxx Environmental

840 UBS Industries

841 H2O Innovation, Inc.

842 Capital H2O Systems, Inc.

843 SFE Global Ltd.

844 Hetek Solutions, Inc.

845 Univar Solutions

846 Avensys Solutions, Inc.

847 Arrow Speed Controls Ltd.

848 SYBIS CyberLock

849 Aurora Design Group Ltd.

850 Kubota Water and Environment USA

851 Pacific Rim Fabrication Ltd.

852 EJ Canada ULC

853 PW Trenchless Construction, Inc.

854 Delta Water Products

855 Xypex Chemical Corporation

856 KASA Supply Ltd.

857 Watson Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

858 HSL Automation Ltd.

859 Perma Pipe Canada

860 FLOCOR

861 Tundra Process Solutions

862 KJ Controls Ltd.

863 Metercor, Inc.

864 Veolia Water Technologies Canada, Inc.

865 Sealforlife

866 Cloverdale Paint, Inc.

867 Aggressive Pump & Supply

868 Carbon Controls Ltd.

869 FilterPro Services Canada Ltd.

870 Romac Industries

Operators Without Borders

WATER & WASTEWATER SOLUTIONS SUPPORTED BY LOCAL EXPERTS

PROUDLY

2026 BCWWA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW

April 29 - May 1, 2026 | Penticton, BC

GETTING AROUND DURING THE CONFERENCE

VENUES

PENTICTON TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTRE (PTCC)

273 Power Street

Penticton, BC

PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

21 Lakeshore Drive West

Penticton, BC

HOTELS

PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

21 Lakeshore Drive West

Penticton, BC

V2A 7M5

DAYS INN & CONFERENCE CENTRE PENTICTON

152 Riverside Drive

Penticton, BC V2A 5Y4

FAIRFIELD BY MARRIOT

602 Eckhardt Avenue West Penticton, BC V2A 2B5

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON 903 Vernon Avenue Penticton, BC V2A 1L2

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM

1050 Eckhardt Avenue W Penticton, BC V2A 2C3

SHUTTLE BUS ROUTE MAP

SHUTTLE BUS ROUTE SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

(Fairfield, Four Points, Days Inn & Ramada)

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

6:30 am – 2:30 pm

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

FRIDAY, MAY 1

6:30 am – 9:30 am

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

< - > All Hotels (Fairfield, Four Points, Days Inn & Ramada)

Departing PTCC every 10 minutes. 8:30 pm is the last departure from the Lakeside.

< - > Lakeside (Fairfield, Four Points, Days Inn & Ramada)

< - > All Hotels (Fairfield, Four Points, Days Inn & Ramada)

Departing Lakeside every 20 minutes. 8:30 pm is the last departure from the Lakeside.

Departing Lakeside every 20 minutes.

7:30 pm is the last departure from the Lakeside.

Connecting communities through water

At Stantec, water is more than infrastructure—it’s a community asset.

Our Water Resources team plan, design, and deliver integrated solutions that reduce flood risk, restore natural systems, and support long term resilience. By connecting science, engineering, and local insight, we help communities adapt to change while protecting what matters most.

Penticton Creek Restoration (Reach 3A Upper & 3B)

This award-winning project transformed over 300m of Penticton Creek into a healthier urban waterway—maintaining flood protection, enhancing fish habitat, and strengthening climate resilience in the heart of the community.

2025 ACEC-Canada National Award of Excellence

2024 ACEC-BC Award of Excellence, Natural Resource & Habitat

“Where Waters Meet”—and we meet, too. Connect with us at BCWWA 2026.

April 29-May 1, 2026

Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre, Penticton, BC Find us in Booth #92. Join various education sessions presented by Stantec’s Water team.

BCWWA EDUCATION COURSE CALENDAR

SELF-PACED INSTRUCTOR ASSISTED ONLINE COURSES

Are you looking for greater flexibility and the ability to learn at your own pace? If so, consider enrolling in one of BCWWA’s online

courses. Each course includes support from a dedicated instructor who is available throughout the program to provide guidance and answer questions by email. Registration for the Summer 2026 series is now open, and courses begin on April 7, 2026.

April 7 – June 30, 2026

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’ in-class course would have.

June 1–5, 2026

June 8, 2026

To see our full course schedule for 2026, please visit bcwwa.org/site/education/calendar.

Our concern for the environment is more than just talk

CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL EXAM SCHEDULE

Schedule subject to change.

Please visit the BCWWA CCC Exam Calendar at bcwwa.org/site/ccc/certification/calendar?nav=sidebar for more information and updates.

CERTIFICATION EXAM

March 14, 2026

March 20, 2026

March 24, 2026

March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026

March 28, 2026

April 8, 2026

April 17, 2026

May 1, 2026

May 15, 2026

Camosun College

Camosun College

BCIT

Pacific Vocational College (PVC)

MTS - Maintenance Tracking Systems Inc. Vernon

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Surrey

BCIT Burnaby

MTS - Maintenance Tracking Systems Inc.

Pacific Vocational College (PVC)

MTS - Maintenance Tracking Systems Inc.

May 27, 2026 BCIT

May 29, 2026

RECERTIFICATION EXAM

March 7, 2026

March 7, 2026

March 28, 2026

April 23, 2026

April 24, 2026

May 2, 2026

Camosun College

Camosun College

UA Local 324 Victoria

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)

BCIT

Surrey

Burnaby

MTS - Maintenance Tracking Systems Inc. Vernon

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Surrey

Connect And Collaborate With Your Water Industry Peers

There’s nothing quite like working with others to find solutions to shared challenges. AWWA members are a community of water professionals who are dedicated to the world’s most important resource. In member value surveys, respondents state that connecting and collaborating with others in the industry is the primary reason they are a member. Join

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.

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