Minister encourages municipal small systems operators to attend training seminar

Oliver Langdon, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs announced today that the province, in association with the Municipal Training Development Corporation, will incur the cost of attendance by operators at a Small Systems Seminar offered by the Atlantic Canada Water Works Association (ACWWA).

"It is essential that water systems operators have the appropriate training to perform their jobs safely and properly," said Minister Langdon. "This workshop will be an important resource for small systems operators and will also provide an opportunity to raise questions with a presenter who is extremely knowledgeable in this area."

The workshops are designed for small systems operators who use hypochlorination as a means of disinfecting their water supply. The program covers all aspects of hypochlorination, including product storage and handling, system installation, and operation and maintenance, as well as background information on the chemistry and principles of chlorination in general.

Dates for the seminars are June 12 in Corner Brook, June 13 in Gander, and June 14 in St. John�s. The department consulted with the ACWWA and has been assured that additional sessions on the island will be added at a later date as well as a session to be held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, if there is substantial interest in attendance. For more information, operators can contact their regional office of Municipal and Provincial Affairs.

Media contact: Sean Kelly, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

2001 05 18                       2:05 p.m.