Inside this issue:Walkerton Clean Water 1Centre breaking ground for new permanent facility

WCWC training initiatives 2

Research projects at WCWC 3

Mobile training unit 4 launched in Québec City

Contact information 4

WCWC Bulletin Volume 2Issue 3

December 2008

www.wcwc.ca 220 Trillium Court, Building 3, Upper Floor, P.O. Box 160, Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0

inquiry@wcwc.ca 519.881.2003 · 866.515.0550 Fax: 519.881.4947

Walkerton Clean Water Centrebreaking ground for new permanent facility

On Friday, October 17, 2008, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Walkerton Clean Water Centre’s new permanent facility. The 19,000 square-foot building will provide more classroom training space for drinking water system operators and improve the Centre’s capability to provide hands-on training, leading-edge technology demonstration, and opportunities for academic research.

Murray Elston, Chair of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre Board of Directors, described the undertaking, “We are building a world-class institute dedicated to furthering the knowledge and expertise of professionals who have the important job of providing safe drinking water in this province.” The facility will ensure that the Centre remains a leader in providing learning opportunities for owners and operators of drinking water systems by creating or enhancing the capacity to conduct training and host seminars and information sessions.

Participating in the sod-turning are, left to right: Ms Carol Mitchell, MPP, Huron-Bruce; Mayor Charles Bagnato, member, WCWC Board of Directors; Mr. Murray Elston, Chair,

WCWC Board of Directors; Dr. Saad Jasim, CEO, WCWC

Artist’s rendering of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre’s permanent facility

The new building will follow the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, an internationally recognized design standard for developing energy efficient buildings. Best practices in designing, constructing and maintaining the new facility will conserve electricity and water and promote a healthier working environment. The facility is scheduled for completion in fall 2009 and will be located in Walkerton’s East Ridge Industrial Park.

“This Centre is innovative in all aspects. The opening of the new permanent location will allow it to continue to grow as a leader in research and capacity building in safe drinking water management.”

- Dr. Saad Jasim, CEO, Walkerton Clean Water Centre

Volume 2 Page 2Issue 3

www.wcwc.ca 220 Trillium Court, Building 3, Upper Floor, P.O. Box 160, Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0

inquiry@wcwc.ca 519.881.2003 · 866.515.0550 Fax: 519.881.4947

WCWC training initiativesSince May 2008, the Centre has been offering water treatment and distribution technical training to the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The first level of training was a three-day session based on the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Operation of Small Drinking Water Systems course; 10 of these sessions were held across the province. The second level of training consisted of a two-day session, where day one was based on the Groundwater, Wells and Well Pumps course, while day two covered the Removal and Inactivation of Pathogens course. On December 1, 2008, the newly trained PHIs assumed responsibility for the oversight of systems that were regulated under O. Reg. 252/05, which was replaced by O. Reg. 319/08, Small Drinking Water Systems under the Health Promotion and Protection Act. Under the new regulation, PHIs will conduct a site-specific, multi-barrier approach risk assessment for every small drinking water system in the province. Based on the assessment, they will determine what owners and operators must do to keep their drinking water safe. This may include requirements such as water testing, treatment and training. This reflects a customized approach for each small drinking water system depending on the level of risk, rather than “one-size-fits-all” requirements.

In September 2008, the Centre introduced Internal Auditing for the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, a two-day course that walks participants through the steps required to perform an internal audit of a system in preparation of external auditing, accreditation and licensing. This course is the final addition to the municipal drinking water licensing series. The first two courses: Drinking Water Quality Management Standard (DWQMS); and Risk Assessment and Emergency Preparedness, have been offered since January of this year. The DWQMS course provides a general overview of Ontario’s Drinking Water Quality Management Standard, while Risk Assessment and Emergency Preparedness provides step-by-step methodologies for conducting risk assessments for drinking water systems to ensure comprehensive contingencies are in place. As a series, these courses provide owners and operators of municipal systems with the knowledge they need to comply with new requirements.

The Centre is also in the process of adding two new courses, Protecting Groundwater from Pathogens and Ontario’s Source Water Protection Process, and Membranes for Drinking Water Treatment. The addition of these two courses will bring the total number of specialized courses offered to 28.

Finally, it is with great pleasure that we welcome Brian Jobb to the Centre as Manager, Drinking Water Training. Brian has over 20 years of experience in the drinking water operator training field and brings a wealth of knowledge and qualifications to this position.

Volume 2 Page 3Issue 3

www.wcwc.ca 220 Trillium Court, Building 3, Upper Floor, P.O. Box 160, Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0

inquiry@wcwc.ca 519.881.2003 · 866.515.0550 Fax: 519.881.4947

Research projects at WCWCRemoval of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) and Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products

(PPCPs) from drinking water using ozone and hydrogen peroxide based on advanced oxidation

This research project investigates the removal of selected endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from water using ozone and hydrogen

peroxide based on advanced oxidation. The experimental stage of this project has been completed using Lake Huron water and the dual-train pilot plant and ozone system of WCWC’s

Technology Demonstration Facility. Operating conditions were set as they might be for full scale treatment.

This project provides insight into the performance of ozone/hydrogen peroxide oxidation compared to conventional treatment processes run in parallel. A poster

was presented at the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association’s 13th Canadian National Conference and 4th Policy Forum on Drinking Water, held in Québec City,

October 4-7, 2008.

Evaluation of effects of ozone in removing DOC and reducing THMs in GUDI water

This research project investigated the effects of ozone on the removal of organics and the reduction of Trihalomethanes (THMs) using a groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GUDI) source with high levels of organics, iron, manganese and hardness. Simulated Distribution System Trihalomethanes (SDS THMs) experiments were conducted on filter effluents to evaluate THM levels that would be formed following chlorination. Operational and water quality parameters such as turbidity, particle counts, pH, flow rates, and head loss were collected online.

This project provided more insight into the use of ozone as an alternative process to control THMs levels in drinking water distribution systems. The results of this project were presented at the International Ozone Association, Pan American Group Conference, held in Orlando Florida, August 25-27, 2008.

Climate change effect on raw water quality, treatment and infrastructure

The Centre is continuing its research on the effects of climate change on water utilities by conducting an extensive literature review. The effects of

climate change are location specific; therefore, different types of risks and/ or vulnerabilities could be encountered by different water utilities. To forecast

the effect on the hydrological cycle in different regions, regional climate models can be used.

Climate change will impact water availability, which will in turn, affect raw water quality. For example, hydraulic changes could affect parameters such as turbidity,

alkalinity, pH, colour, and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC). Therefore, measures should be taken to adjust or modify treatment processes. Furthermore, changes in

the Great Lakes water levels and the flow rates of rivers may require that modifications be made to intake locations and design for water utilities.

This research project is ongoing.

Mobile training unit launched in Québec CityStaff from the Walkerton Clean Water Centre attended the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association’s 13th Canadian National Conference and 4th Policy Forum on Drinking Water held in Quebec City, October 4-7, 2008. The conference covered several topics, including drinking water treatment processes, water quality issues, operator training, source water protection, analytical methods and monitoring, and regulatory issues. The conference also focused on small systems, especially their challenges and solutions, sustainable water management, and risk management approaches in rural and First Nation communities.

At the conference, staff of the Centre made two presentations. The first presentation pertained to the accessibility of drinking water training for small systems operators in remote Ontario communities and included the launch of the Centre’s second Mobile Training Unit (MTU). Approximately 80 conference delegates toured the MTU, which was displayed outside of the conference venue. The opportunity to view the new MTU provided delegates with insight on how this unit can provide access to training for drinking water system operators in rural and remote communities.

The Centre has entered into a contract with Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology to deliver training onboard the new MTU, including Drinking Water Treatment and Quality Monitoring, a 0.6 CEU Director-approved course developed and tailored to the equipment carried onboard the MTU.

The second presentation by the Centre summarized the results of the reverse osmosis pilot demonstration research project. This research project investigated the overall performance of a reverse osmosis (RO) package plant to remove organics and trihalomethane (THM) precursors using Simulated Distribution System Trihalomethanes (SDS THMs) methodology. Stakeholders involved in the project were a manufacturer of reverse osmosis systems and a small rural municipality. Pilot tests were conducted to investigate the performance of the RO package plant using a groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GUDI) source. The research focused on the removal of organics and bacteria as determined by total coliforms, E. coli, ultraviolet (UV) light transmittance, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and specific inorganic and organic contaminants listed in Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards (O. Reg. 169/03).

Overall, RO provided significant reduction of DOC levels, UV light transmittance of the treated water was substantially increased, and SDS THM levels of the treated water were far below regulatory levels.

Contact information

Volume 2 Page 4Issue 3

www.wcwc.ca 220 Trillium Court, Building 3, Upper Floor, P.O. Box 160, Walkerton, Ontario N0G 2V0

inquiry@wcwc.ca 519.881.2003 · 866.515.0550 Fax: 519.881.4947

For more information on the WCWC Bulletin, please contact Katherine Campbell, Small Systems & Outreach Assistantkcampbell@wcwc.ca 519 881-2003 or 1 866 515-0550 ext. 321

To inquire about bringing any of our courses to your location, please contact Maurice Oduor, Technical Advisor, Drinking Water Training moduor@wcwc.ca 519 881-2003 or 1 866 515-0550 ext. 311

The second Mobile training unit, ready to depart for Québec City