President's Report

JANUARY 2011

As President of the Association for 2011, it is my pleasure to report on the successes of CWWA in 2010 under the leadership of Greg Chartier and on the challenges we face in 2011.

Review of 2010

On August 3^rd, 2010, CWWA welcomed its new Executive Director, Jennifer Jackson. Duncan Ellison, after 16 years of leading and building the organization, retired but continued to provide CWWA support with a number of initiatives throughout 2010. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the membership, I would like to thank Duncan for his many years of service of dedicated service and wish him all the best in his retirement. I would also like to congratulate Greg Chartier and my fellow colleagues on the New Executive Director Search Committee for all of their hard work.

This is an exciting time for the Association but there still are some great challenges ahead. CWWA has two primary functions: informing members of federal and national policy, legislative initiatives that impact on their operations, and presenting members’ views on these to the relevant federal or national body.

Last June, the CWWA was approached by Environment Canada to discuss the technical aspects of the proposed Fisheries Act Regulations and the position brief previously submitted on behalf of the membership. This has led to further discussions and collaborations with Environment Canada to work toward a legislative framework that is practical and where regulatory compliance is achievable. CWWA will continue with this very important work and other regulatory activities in 2011.

At the CWWA’s 2010 Spring Board Meeting, the concept developed within BCWWA for a single, stronger voice for water in Canada was presented to CWWA. It was noted that WEF agrees with the concept, and both of the WEF and the AWWA CAC’s are looking for an enhanced role in government policy, public awareness activities and establishing research priorities. Some of the challenges identified are that there are strong north-south linkages from the Canadian sections or MAs, but not east-west. Some of the opportunities would be to:

strengthen links across Canada;
improve provincial Association links to CWWA;
formulate common positions on water and wastewater issues;
encourage water policy discussions between provincial Associations; and
increase Board to Board or Executive Director to Executive Director linkages and collaboration.

During the course of the year, CWWA issued 26 Communiqués to members alerting them to changes in federal regulations or programs or significant activities or events occurring in Canada and elsewhere, in addition to the regular 10 times a year Bulletin, and the twice yearly Canadian Municipal Water News Review.

A third function of the Association is to host national Conferences and Workshops. In 2010, CWWA supported the First Canadian Water Utilities Leaders' Forum, Toronto (April), hosted the Pump Efficiency Workshop in Calgary (May), the 14th Canadian National Conference and 5th Policy Forum on Drinking Water in Saskatoon (October), and the annual CWWA “Window on Ottawa” Forum and Annual General Meeting in Ottawa at the beginning of December.

On the international front, The Canadian Association for Water Quality and CWWA are joint members of the Canadian National Committee of the International Water Association, which also served as the Local Organizing Committee for the very successful IWA World Water Congress held in Montréal in September.

Looking Forward - 2011

For those of you who are not aware, 2011 is the 25^th year anniversary for CWWA. I encourage you to send any interesting historical information to the office, so we may be able to use it in any of the Association publications.

A clear focus for the Association in 2011 will be continuing to work with Environment Canada on the issues of the wastewater regulations under the Fisheries Act. Infrastructure asset management is, of course, of increasing importance, and CWWA will be working with other national partners on this issue.

As a result of the BCWWA’s presentation at the 2010 CWWA Spring Board Meeting, the CWWA formed a Board sub-committee to discuss the concept of “One Voice for Water” further. The sub-committee presented their recommendations to the Board and, as a result, on April 13 in Montréal, CWWA will host a workshop with Canadian Member Association representatives to discuss the concept further.
CWWA will remain involved in:

Promoting the Canadian Biosolids Partnership and an improved general public understanding of these valuable environmental resources,
Promoting the Canadian Water Efficiency Partnership and the increased public awareness of the EPA WaterSense© Program in Canada, and
Hosting the following events in 2011:

The 4th Canadian Wastewater Management Conference - Crowne Plaza-Toronto Airport Hotel, Toronto, ON May 17-19,
The Canadian Workshop on Water Efficiency and Conservation - Albert at Bay Suite Hotel, Ottawa, ON October 18,
The 2011 “Window on Ottawa and Tradeshow” and Annual General Meeting - Delta Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, ON, November 24-25,
ICS 100 for Critical Infrastructure - Delta Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, ON November 22,
Security and Emergency Management Workshop for Water and Wastewater Utilities - Delta Ottawa City Centre,Ottawa, ON November 23
Seminar on Renewable Energy in the Water and Wastewater Industry - Delta Ottawa City Centre,Ottawa, ON November 23.

I can assure you, CWWA will remain active through 2011, in providing a national voice for municipal water and wastewater utilities, and take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support.

Rosanna DiLabio, M.Sc., P. Eng.
President