Regulating Through Engagement Environmental Operators Certificate Program September 10, 2018 Chris Russell Environmental Health Officer Small Water Systems Program
Outline � Description of the challenges faced by small water suppliers � Description of the challenges faced by Interior Health � Adapting our engagement model to find solutions
A little about me � Environmental Health Officer (~10 years) � Program specialist – small drinking water systems � Live/work in Vernon
Challenges: Small Water Suppliers Meeting DWPA
SWS Challenges UBCM – Small Water Systems Working Group (2013): “Owners are challenged to meet obligations to their water users…challenges with financing, inadequate infrastructure, provision of potable water, governance, management…”
SWS Challenges Ombudsman's Office - Fit to Drink (2008): � Access to funding for treatment and operations – very challenging � Easier for gaps or problem in operations to go unnoticed
SWS Challenges Provincial Health Officer Report (2008): “Small water systems are underfunded because of their small tax base”
SWS Challenges: Summary � Funding � Infrastructure � Operations � Technical Expertise � Administrative � Operations � Community support
Challenges: Interior Health Supporting Small Water Suppliers
~850km across ~742,000 full-time residents IH Health Protection ~110 staff, 6 managers • • ~1,950 permitted water supplies • ~1,200 rec water facilities ~850 personal service • establishment • ~975 community care facilities • ~6,175 food facilities • Incident & emergency response
IHA Challenges: Permitted Water Systems Increasing
IHA Challenges: Increasing Boil Water Notices
IHA Challenges: Governance of Water Systems
IHA Challenges: Risk Reduction
IHA Challenges: Summary � Small water systems are not sustainable without help � Small water systems = big risk � Limited staff/resources and many water systems � 1:1 interaction may not be best approach
Solutions: IHA and Small Water Suppliers
Water Program ~ 2014 Criteria Small Water Systems Large Water Systems # of systems ~1,827 SWS 123 LWS IH population served <20% >80% # on Boil Water ~350 - 400 ~3 Notice IH-HP service model ~35 EHO, 5 supervisors 5 specialist EHO, 1 supervisor ~50 Water Systems/EHO • ~25 Water Systems/EHO • Local governments • Local governments • Federal/Provincial government • Federal/Provincial • Improvement Districts government • Private Utilities • Improvement Districts • School Districts • Private Utilities • Shared Interest Owners • Strata Corporations • Water Users Communities • Businesses • Societies • “Good neighbours”
Water Program ~ 2015 Environmental Op’s Small Water Systems Large Water Systems 139 WS (1 Connection) 1424 SWS 123 LWS + Food Facilities + Personal Services + Complaints 6 EHO, 1 specialist, 1 supervisor 3 specialists, 1 supervisor ~200 Water Systems/EHO ~40 Water Systems/EHO ~5 Water Systems/EHO • • Local governments Local governments • Federal/Provincial • Federal/Provincial government government • • Improvement Districts Improvement Districts • Private Utilities • Private Utilities • School Districts Businesses • Shared Interest • Strata Corporations • Water Users Communities • Businesses • Societies • “Good neighbours”
Small Water Systems Program
Traditional Engagement Model Complaints Requests & Inspections for Investigations Assistance Relationship
Solutions: Moving Forward Complaints Requests & Inspections for Investigations Assistance Relationship
Solutions: Moving Forward Complaints Requests Outreach & For Inspections & Education Investigations Assistance Relationship
Outreach and Education � Purpose: � Engage water suppliers in larger groups � Method: � Develop training for small and large water suppliers � Mechanism � EOCP Certified Courses � Other IH Courses
Outreach and Education Emergency Response Planning
Emergency Response Planning � What’s in the course: � Emergency Response Plans • Why you need one • What goes into one • Resources to develop one
Emergency Response Planning � What’s in it for you: � Multi-Barrier Approach � CEUs for operators � Engage with other water suppliers � Emergency Response Plan
Emergency Response Planning � What’s in it for IH: � Multi-Barrier Approach � Support certified operators � Engage with water suppliers � Emergency Response Plans
Emergency Response Planning � Logistics � 3 hours � Usually at an IH site � Free (!) � 0.3 CEUs from EOCP
Emergency Response Planning � Delivery � 10 – 15 Participants � Presentation � Group Discussion � Group Exercise � Follow up with SWS
Now Offering: � Water System Monitoring
Group Activity You are the operator of a small water system serving a residential development. Your water source (a well) is pumped up hill to a reservoir. You have been notified that a tractor trailer transport truck has crashed. The truck was carrying ethylene glycol. One of the tanks has been punctured and a substantial quantity of the liquid has been released on the ground about 100 metres from your well. Describe the actions you will take to address this emergency situation.
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