Environment and Climate Change
August 31, 2016
Supporting Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water
Water Operator Education Seminars Open for Registration
Registration is now open for an upcoming series of water operator education seminars. The Operator Education, Training and Certification Program offers classroom-style education seminars at approximately 20 rotating locations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
"The
integrity of public drinking water systems across the province is critically
important and depends on the knowledge and skill of water operators.
Continuing education and up-to-date training contributes to that integrity.
As a result of past seminars, there are now over 400 certified operators
working in 118 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Looking
ahead, we will continue to make sure that operators are equipped with the
most comprehensive knowledge and adaptive skill sets that maintain water
safety."
- The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and
Climate Change
Seminars deliver the theory of proper operation and maintenance to operators of municipal water and wastewater systems, while also providing operators with the knowledge base to prepare them to challenge certification exams. Information on seminars and how to register can be found in the Backgrounder below.
"Clean and safe drinking
water is a basic human right that should be accessible to all
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The Provincial Government's Water Operator
Education seminars provide much-needed certification training that is
critical to ensuring safe, clean and reliable drinking water throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador."
- Karen Oldford, President of Municipalities
Newfoundland and Labrador
There is no cost to participate in the Operator Education, Training and Certification Program; however, supplemental costs such as travel and meals are not covered. Participants may be eligible for funding through the Matched Training Financial Assistance Fund, offered by the Department of Municipal Affairs. Information on funding can be found by visiting: www.ma.gov.nl.ca/training.
QUICK FACTS
- Water operator education seminars are now open for registration. The Operator Education, Training and Certification Program offers seminars on proper operation and maintenance to operators of municipal water and wastewater systems.
- In 2015-16, the Community Water and Wastewater section completed 37 Operator Educational Seminars in Water Distribution, Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Wastewater Collection, Proper Handling of Chlorine and Chlorine Containers and Potable Water Dispensing Units to approximately 390 participants.
- Additional information on the Operator Education, Training and Certification Program can be found by visiting: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/waterres/training/operator_education
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Media contacts:
| Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Climate Change 709-729-2575, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca |
Gail
Woodfine Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-6820 gwoodfine@municipalnl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Fall 2016 Operator Education Seminars
Water operator education seminars are now open for registration to
operators, municipal staff, municipal officials, and other interested water
professionals. Information pertaining to seminar topics, locations, dates,
and times can be found in the table below. There is no fee associated with
the seminars; however associated travel costs, including meals, are not
included. Interested participants are asked to register with the appropriate
contact person; contact information is provided below.
| Location | Date | Time | Topic | Contact Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarenville (Clarenville Inn) | Sept 20-22 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Treatment Class 1 & 2 | Deneen Spracklin |
| Sept 23 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| Marystown (Marystown Hotel) | Sept 28 | 8:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. | Proper Handling of Chlorine and Chlorine Containers | Genny DeCoste |
| Plum Point (Plum Point Motel) | Oct 4 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Wastewater Collection Basics | Jim Pollett |
| Oct 5 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Wastewater Collection Day 2 | ||
| Oct 6 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| Labrador City (Two Seasons Inn) | Oct 18 | 1:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. | Proper Handling of Chlorine and Chlorine Containers | Chris Blanchard |
| Grand Falls-Windsor (Hotel Robin Hood) | Oct 18 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Distribution System Basics | Darren Patey |
| Oct 19 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Distribution System Hydraulics | ||
| Oct 20 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Quality Issues | ||
| Oct 21 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| Conception Bay South (EOC Facility - New Fire Hall) | Oct 25 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Wastewater Collection Basics | Jim Pollett |
| Oct 26 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Wastewater Collection Day 2 | ||
| Oct 27 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| Bay Roberts (Bay Roberts Hotel) | Nov 15 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Distribution System Basics | Darren Patey |
| Nov 16 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Distribution System Hydraulics | ||
| Nov 17 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Water Quality Issues | ||
| Nov 18 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| St. John's (Ramada) | Nov 22-24 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Wastewater Treatment Class 1 & 2 | Gerry Lahey |
| Nov 25 | 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Certification Exam | ||
| Gander (Hotel Gander) | Nov 29 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Source Water Protection | Deneen Spracklin |
Questions regarding the fall 2016 Operator Education Seminar Schedule can be directed to:
| Darren L. Patey Environmental Scientist 709-729-7363 darrenpatey@gov.nl.ca |
Jim
Pollett Environmental Scientist 709-292-4225 jimpollett@gov.nl.ca |
| Deneen
Spracklin Program Lead 709-729-1158 dspracklin@gov.nl.ca |
Gerry
Lahey Environmental Scientist 709-637-2035 glahey@gov.nl.ca |
| Chris Blanchard
Environmental Scientist 709-637-2034 cblancha@gov.nl.ca |
Genny DeCoste Environmental Scientist 70-729-2558 gennydecoste@gov.nl.ca |
To learn more about the eligibility requirements for challenging a
certification exam visit
www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/waterres/training/operator_certification/requirements.html.
The cost to challenge an exam is $75.00 plus HST and an Application for
Certification may need to be submitted. Communities interested in scheduling
a Community Information Session on the use of the Newfoundland and Labrador
Water Resources Portal can contact Deneen Spracklin.
2016 08 31
11:40 a.m.