Drinking Water Safety Training Workshop Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

The annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop, taking place in Gander from March 22 to 24, is celebrating 10 years of providing municipal operators of drinking water systems with an opportunity to come together and increase their knowledge of drinking water safety. In commemoration of the 10-year anniversary, the theme of this year’s workshop is Decade of Commitment.

“Delivering clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador is a challenging responsibility for communities, and this workshop provides an opportunity for operators to come together to increase their knowledge and share real-life local experiences,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “Ten years ago, the Department of Environment and Conservation recognized these challenges and delivered the first annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop. I am delighted to share in the celebration of this milestone.”

The annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water workshops are intended to provide water system operators and owners in the province with technical information on drinking water systems from water industry experts from across Canada and the US. The workshops are scheduled each year around the date World Water Day is celebrated - March 22.

In an effort to assist towns and communities with travel costs associated with attendance at the annual drinking water workshop, the Department of Municipal Affairs provides a travel subsidy for participants.

“A major focus of the Department of Municipal Affairs is helping ensure that residents of our province live in safe and sustainable communities, and drinking water safety is a part of this focus,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “We are pleased to help operators of drinking water systems throughout the province attend this worthwhile event which, in turn, helps them bring valuable knowledge back to their respective towns and communities.”

Minister Wiseman also presented the Operator of the Year and the Volunteer Operator of the year awards at the workshop. The recipient of the 2011 Operator of the Year Award is Tony Skiffington from the Town of Gambo. The 2011 Volunteer Operator of the Year Award was presented to two volunteer operators - John Braye and Edmond Fudge from the Town of Brighton.

“The overwhelming number of nominations and letters of support we receive for these awards is a testimony to the dedication and hard work of the drinking water operators in our towns and communities, a number of whom are volunteers,” said Minister Wiseman. “It is an honour to present these awards to such deserving individuals, and I also want to congratulate the numerous other operators who were nominated.”

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2011 03 23             12:15p.m.