Water Quality Training for Small Systems: Working Together to Develop a Common Sense Approach Bill Schutzman Government of Canada Water Safety Conference, Kuching, Malaysia, November 3, 2010 Date:

Background Information Canada Labour Code requires that Government of Canada must provide staff with potable water for …  Drinking  Personal Washing  Food Preparation Many of the staff work in urban areas where water is potable, but …  Canada owns or leases about 30 million hectares (size of Belgium)  Many small locations where potable water must be provided for just a few staff  Federal jurisdiction includes over 600 First Nations and their populations  In many instances the public also has access to water at these rural and in some cases remote locations  These small locations have water treatment systems that have the potential for high human health risks

Background Information Canada promotes the multi-barrier approach  Many barriers such as source protection, treatment, etc.  Appropriate awareness, education and training is important part of the multi-barrier approach Although there is good training available for municipal systems, a lack of suitable training for very small systems was identified Various federal departments recognized the common need of training for very small systems Very small system = Micro-system - serves 25 people or less

Background Information Federal Interdepartmental Working Group on Drinking Water  Developed a document that gives guidance on providing safe drinking water in areas of federal jurisdiction  Recognized the need for training for micro-systems Interdepartmental Water Quality Training Board (IWQTB) created to develop and deliver training related to providing drinking water from micro-systems in areas of federal jurisdiction  12 Canadian federal department involved  Meets regularly  Does not have dedicated budget or staff  Each representative has an equal voice  Decisions reached by consensus

Our Approach 1.Identify the needs of each participant and develop common themes. 2.Define the desired characteristics that need to be included in a good quality training program. 3.Conduct an assessment of currently available products to determine what can be used and what needs to be developed. 4.Develop a list of required training products. 5.Create an action plan to develop the training tools. 6.Proceed with training product development and delivery.

Training is Targeted Training is targeted towards micro-systems, although there is general water quality information as well Training needed for a variety of audiences …  Senior Management  Facility Managers  Water Quality Monitors, etc … and a variety of learning levels  Basic Awareness  Demonstrated Understanding  Tested Competency

Ingredients of Success Important factors that have contributed to successful development of a training tool kit include:  Module Development Plan Follows the action plan Project co-leads established Accompanying document first  Project Co-leads ensure multiple perspectives are considered during the training product development  Technical Review Committee composed of subject matter experts to review and provide guidance as a product is developed  Whole Committee Review Review of the training product technical content by the entire IWQTB at critical points of development  Single Point Expert Critical review by recognized experts – health, engineering, etc.  Project sponsor provide leadership and financial oversight

Products Developed – Water Quality 101

Introduction

Products Developed – Water Quality 101 Detail

Current Situation Complete development of Water Quality 101 and remaining standalone modules. Determine an appropriate way to share the products with the general public.

Lessons Learned Stay focussed on the desired result. Although there are multiple stakeholders, ensure to focus on the common requirements. Collaborate with industry, academia and others when practical and mutually beneficial, without sacrificing the goals or outcome. Work on building strong relationships. Establish and follow the process needed to guide the development through to the final outcome.

Questions? Bryna Heffernan Drinking Water Program First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Health Canada