BCWWA`s Capacity Building Program for Small Water Systems

BCWWA’s Capacity Building Program for
Small Water Systems – What It Is and How to
Get Involved
Keith Kohut, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.
May 2016
Summary
Background
Objectives
Approach
Progress
How to Participate
Background – BC Profile
Small water system: < 500 people
4,000 + public water systems in BC
700+ boil water advisories in 2015
Majority in systems < 15 services
Background – BC Profile
Source: The Council of Canadians. 2015. “On Notice for Drinking Water Crisis in Canada”
Background – Small Water Systems
Considerations
Large Water Systems
Small Water Systems
Finances
Greater population
Smaller population
base – funding for
base – smaller cash
capital and operations flow
Staff
Larger public works
team – dedicated
water staff
Smaller team – jack
of all trades
Training
Greater training
resources
Less training,
volunteers
Requirements
Water to meet
drinking water
standards
Water to meet
drinking water
standards
Objectives – Capacity Building Program
Build capacity to make informed decisions
Financial sustainability
Operational resilience
Public safety
Increase understanding of relationships
Rates
Level of service
Public safety
Reduce number of Boil Water Notices
Objectives – Capacity Building Program
Pilot project for first steps
Ministry of Health
One year program
Gauge reception
Identify barriers
Foster networks
Objectives – The Team
Nationwide expertise
Former water system staff
Operators
Managers
Trainers
Regulators
Asset management
Local contacts
Local engineers involved with
small water systems
Objectives – The Team
BCWWA Review Boards
Various sectors of the water industry
Championing of small water systems
BCWWA – Ashifa Dhanani
Approach
Workshop
Webinars
Coaching
Approach - Workshops
10 workshops across BC
1-day workshop
Education and discussion
Self-evaluations and action plans
Network development
Local conditions and concerns
Reference document
Approach - Workshops
Cost of things going wrong
Water system and
treatment 101
Fundamentals of a
sustainable system
Approach - Workshops
Each topic touched
on could by itself be
a day long course
Approach - Workshops
Self-assessment
Action plan - What you want to do
Tools that can help
Local support
Approach - Webinars
Provides more information on specific action
Two webinars being developed
Financial Best Practices
Legislation and Regulations
Approach - Coaching
~40 participants to have coaching on specific
items on their action plan
One-on-one or groups with coaching on the
same topic
Staff involved dependant on participant needs
Approach - Follow-up
Updates on progress
Feedback on program and resources
Feedback on barriers
Foster local support groups
Progress
Progress - What We Have Learned
Every location has different concerns and
relationships
Different backgrounds
Financial capacity a concern – Insurance
Emergency Response Plans
Progress – What we Have Learned
Certified operators
Renewed sense of value of water
Value of local support groups
Contact with health authorities
Made contacts with supportive
resources
Regular meet-ups
Future Plans
Performance of Pilot
Review profiles of water systems
Identify hot topics
Identify resources for future programs
Expand networks from pilot
Support participant meet-ups
How to get Involved
Are you:
Involved in the operation of a SWS?
30 homes – 500 people
Independent SWS
Not directly connected to municipality or RD
Not eligible for government funding
Feeling overwhelmed?
Desire understanding of building blocks?
What You will Get
Free 1-day workshop
Access to webinars
Answers to water system questions
Contact with experts and HA
Easy tools for improving your system
Opportunity to build support community
CEU
How to get Involved
Contact BCWWA
Ashifa Dhanani
[email protected]
Complete water system profile
Acknowledgement
BCWWA
Health Authorities
Participants
Questions?
[email protected]