May 1, 2010

FEATURE | Water, Wastewater, Sewer & Watermain

B.C. Water and Waste Association set to host annual conference

BRADLEY FEHR

editor

The British Columbia Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) is holding its annual conference and trade show from May 1 to May 5. More than 1,300 delegates are expected to attend the event at the Whistler Conference Centre.

The keynote speaker will be Paul Kluckner of Environment Canada.

He is the regional director general, Pacific & Yukon and will focus on Environment Canada’s programs and priorities related to water and wastewater systems.

Kluckner will also provide information on Environment Canada’s view of the potential impacts of climate change on water resources and infrastructure.

The annual general meeting will be held immediately after the opening ceremonies.

The meeting will include a member forum, where members and delegates can offer input about the association’s direction and planned initiatives.

The conference will include the usual compliment of technical tours.

A tour of the Whistler Wastewater Treatment Plant, including the Whistler Compost Facility and Heat Recovery System, is planned, as is a tour of the Whistler Water Treatment Plant, including the new 21-Mile Creek Facility and the Geo-Thermal and Solar Heating Facility.

They will run concurrently from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Sunday, May 2.

This year marks the first year for the BCWWA’s Young Professionals Committee and the group will also be meeting for a reception on May 2.

It’s not all work and no play for this year’s delegates.

The annual BCWWA Gold Classic will be held at the Squamish Valley Golf Club and an Olympic torch will be at the conference centre for photographs.

A Tuesday evening beach party is also planned.

At the conference, there will be an awards ceremony, where members will be honoured in front of their peers.

This year’s winners are:

• Stanley S. Copp Award: Mike Nolan

• Personal Recognition Award: Rob Mellander, Dave Forgie, Carolyn Stewart and Rick Hayhurst

• Corporate Recognition Award: Indian & Northern Affairs Canada

• Bridge Building Award: Denny Ross-Smith and Kim Stephens

• Small Water System Award: D’Arcy Water System

• Decentralized Wastewater Management Award: Wetlands Pacific (Curt Kerns) and RD of Bulkley Nechako (Ian Hayes)

• Leadership in Water Sustainability: John Finnie, Regional District of Nanaimo

• UBC Graduate Studies Scholarships: Soubhagya Kumar Pattanayak and Ryan Irvine Thoren

• Okanagan College Scholarships: Kady Gannon and Derek Fisher

• Victor M. Terry Award: Mike Firlotte

• Arthur Sidney Bedell Award: Chris Johnston

• George Warren Fuller Award: Alex Wood

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