Environment and Conservation
Municipal Affairs
February 18, 2016

Supporting Safe and Sustainable Drinking Water

Registration Open for Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop

Water system operators, municipal administrators and elected officials are invited to register for the 15th annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop, March 22 to 24 at Hotel Gander. The event is an opportunity to learn about the processes that are vital to the delivery of clean and safe drinking water in Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Delivering high quality drinking water to our residents is an important goal for this government. This workshop is a valuable, hands-on opportunity to learn from experts in the field and I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about these important processes to participate in this event.�
- The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation

The annual workshop is offered free of charge by the Department of Environment and Conservation. The three-day event consists of technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations on water system maintenance and treatment options. There will also be a trade show featuring products and services for the industry.

�Our government is committed to partnering with communities throughout the province to assist with improving drinking water. In an effort to support communities with travel costs associated with attendance at the Drinking Water Workshop, the Department of Municipal Affairs provides a travel subsidy for participants. The knowledge gained at the workshop can then be brought back to the respective communities.�
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Municipal Affairs

Through the Community Sustainability Partnership, the three regional service boards (Eastern, Central and Western) now have water and wastewater operators. These operators are working with a pilot group of communities in each region. Government committed to invest approximately $1 million over a 3.5 year period beginning October 1, 2015, to March 31, 2019, to provide funding for three regional service boards to engage regional water and wastewater operators.

Nominations are also being accepted for the Water Operator of the Year Awards, which will be presented during the workshop.

�The operators who shoulder the responsibility of delivering clean and safe drinking water in our province are to be commended for their dedication to this work, whether they are paid employees or volunteers. Recognizing them with a nomination for this award is an excellent way to show them that their work is valued and appreciated.�
- Minister Trimper

Two awards are presented each year � one for an employee and one for a volunteer each of which has demonstrated professionalism and dedication to providing clean and safe drinking water.

Participants are required to register in advance. The registration form for the workshop and the nomination form for the awards are available at www.gov.nl.ca/env.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is offering a free Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop, March 22-24 in Gander.
• The workshop is an opportunity to learn about the processes required to deliver clean and safe drinking water.
• The Department of Municipal Affairs provides a travel subsidy for participants who attend the workshop.
• Nominations are being accepted for the Water Operator of the Year Awards.
• Information about the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop and the Water Operator of the Year Awards, including registration and nomination forms, is available at www.gov.nl.ca/env.

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Media contacts:

Emily Timmins Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca

Kevin Guest Director of Communications Department of Municipal Affairs 709-729-1983, 730-2320 kevinguest@gov.nl.ca

2016 02 18                             1:20 p.m.