Official launch of mobile training units for operators of water supply systems

Environment Minister Bob Mercer today officially launched another government initiative to ensure the people of Newfoundland and Labrador have access to safe, clean drinking water. As part of the continuing education and training of operators of water supply systems in the province, the Department of Environment is providing on-site training to municipal operators with the assistance of three mobile operator training units. These units are based in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and St. John�s.

"The availability of qualified, trained operating personnel is vitally important to the safe and sustainable operation of municipal water supply systems," said Minister Mercer. "Experience has told us that operator training is just as essential to the operation of water systems as are improved technologies, inspection and monitoring."

Minister Mercer said the Department of Environment has a long-term strategic plan for the education and training of water system operators, which involves a two-phase approach. The first phase of the program, which deals with classroom education and training, began in June 2001. The first year (2001-02) of the program saw the department hold 54 seminars at 18 locations with participation from some 500 municipal staff and elected officials. In 2002-03, the department held 74 seminars at 19 locations with participation from some 713 municipal staff and elected officials.

"The second phase of our education program is to provide on-site training to municipal operators regarding the proper operation and maintenance of their water supply systems," said Minister Mercer. "With the assistance of our mobile training units, we are bringing the training to the people in their own communities and with their own water systems. It allows the municipal operators to apply the knowledge gained through the classroom training to site-specific situations and equipment. The establishment of these units gives this province the distinction of being the first jurisdiction in Canada to offer this specialized, on-site training to municipal water supply operators."

With its investment of $530,000, government has hired five new training staff and purchased three five-tonne cube vans. These vans are equipped with water system operator�s equipment such as hydrants, leak detectors, chlorine measurement kits, pressure gauges, water level indicators, safety apparatuses, pipe locators, hypochlorinators and other equipment typically used in the day-to-day operation of a water system.

Minister Mercer said government has an action plan for drinking water which was outlined when Source to Tap was released in 2001. Significant progress has been made, including increased chemical and bacteriological sampling, increased investment in capital projects, a decrease in the number of boil water advisories, enhanced operator training and establishment of an annual public report on the safety of public water supplies.

"It is a high priority for government to ensure that the people of this province have access to safe, clean drinking water," said Minister Mercer. "We have directed significant financial and human resources of four different government departments - Environment, Health and Community Services, Municipal and Provincial Affairs, and Government Services and Lands - to the issue of drinking water safety, and I am pleased with the progress we have made to date, which is being further enhanced by the new operator training program."

Media contact: 

Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-2575, (709) 685-4624 or (709) 637-2676

2003 07 07                                       2:25 p.m.