Environment and Conservation
Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
March 25, 2015
Protecting the Health and Well-Being of Communities and Families
Awards Recognize the Important Work of Water System Operators
The work of drinking water system municipal operators was recognized today at the Department of Environment and Conservation’s annual Clean and Safe Drinking Water Workshop, which is taking place in Gander, from March 24 to 26.
The Operator of the Year Awards are presented annually to one operator and one volunteer operator for their professionalism, dedication and outstanding contribution to providing clean and safe drinking water in their town or community.
The 2015 recipients are:
- Operator of the Year Award: Marvin Bull, Town of Eastport; and
- Volunteer Operator of the Year Award: Victor Keats, Local Service District of Phillips Head.
A full list of the nominated operators can be found in the backgrounder below.
“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. The number of nominations and letters of support we receive for these awards speaks to the dedication and hard work of the drinking water operators throughout our province. Congratulations to the winners and to all of those nominated.”
- The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation
The purpose of the workshop is to encourage participation in events which raise awareness and understanding of water-related issues while providing water operators and owners in the province with technical information on drinking water systems provided by water industry experts from across Canada and the United States.
“I congratulate the winners and nominees for their efforts in improving water quality throughout the province. I encourage councils to take advantage of the funding available for water quality-related projects through the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs. Continuing to increase the quality of water for residents in communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador remains a strong priority for the Provincial Government.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
In 2014-15, the Provincial Government invested over $6.3 million in drinking water quality-related projects including new facilities and upgrading of water treatment infrastructure and feasibility studies.
QUICK FACTS
- The winners of the Operator of the Year Awards were announced today during the Clean and Safe Drinking Water workshop currently underway in Gander.
- The winner of the 2015 Operator of the Year Award is Marvin Bull, Town of Eastport, and the winner of the Volunteer Operator of the Year Award is Victor Keats, Local Service District of Phillips Head.
- The workshop, which saw more than 300 participants this year, provides municipal operators of drinking water systems with an opportunity to come together and increase their knowledge of drinking water safety.
- Operator training and education opportunities have been delivered by the Department of Environment and Conservation through the Operator Education, Training and Certification (OETC) Program since 2001.
- In an effort to assist towns and communities with travel costs associated with attendance at the workshop, the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs provides a travel subsidy for participants.
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Media contacts:
|
Jennifer Collingwood Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
Kevin Guest Director of Communications Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs 709-729-1983, 730-2320 kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2015 Operator of the Year Awards
The Operator of the Year Awards are presented annually to one operator and one volunteer operator for their professionalism, dedication and outstanding contribution to providing clean and safe drinking water in their town or community.
The 2015 recipients are:
- Operator of the Year Award: Marvin Bull, Town of Eastport, and
- Volunteer Operator of the Year Award: Victor Keats, Local Service District of Phillips Head.
The following operator and volunteer operators were also nominated:
| Operator | Community |
| Noel Antle | Town of Heart’s Content |
| Hubert Aucoin | Town of Kippens |
| Wayne Bennett | Regional Operator for Towns of Cow Head, Daniel’s Harbour, Parson’s Pond and St. Paul’s |
| John Braye | Town of Brighton |
| George Burden | Town of Heart’s Desire |
| Gilbert Burton | Town of Lushes Bight-Beaumont-Beaumont North |
| Brian Caines | Town of Buchans |
| Jamie Clarke | Town of Victoria |
| John Conway | Town of Colliers |
| Clifford Coombs | Town of Upper Island Cove |
| Terry Corbett | Town of Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview |
| Gilbert Dalton | Town of Conception Harbour |
| Barry Goodyear | Town of Lumsden |
| Melvin Harnum | Town of Heart’s Delight-Islington |
| Dennis Ivany | Local Service District of Petley |
| Henry Jacque | Inuit Community Government of Makkovik |
| Roland Keats | Town of Port Blandford |
| Patrick Miller | Town of St. Lawrence |
| Denley Moores | Town of Conception Bay South |
| Martin Nochasak | Inuit Community Government of Hopedale |
| Ken Peddle | Town of New Perlican |
| Keith Oldford | Town of Gander |
| Derrick Seaward | Town of Hant’s Harbour |
| Dale Walsh | Town of Bay de Verde |
2015 03 25 9:50 a.m.