Join the WCOWMA Facebook Group
We've expanded beyond pages! Come join the group, chat with other with people in the industry, and stay up-to-date with WCOWMA news.
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In-Person or Virtual Convention: Have Your Say
The AOWMA Convention Committee is working on plans for a live convention and trade show to take place in Red Deer, AB on February 15, 16, & 17, 2022.
The WCOWMA-BC Board of Directors is working on plans for a convention and trade show on March 3, 4 & 5, 2022.
With on-going changes to public heath requirements for groups and gatherings, the Associations are trying to gauge industry support for an in-person event. We would appreciate your response to the brief survey below.
AB convention and trade show survey
BC convention and trade show survey
The survey is only four questions, and should be able to be completed in under two minutes. We hope you'll participate.
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Tips To Beat the Cold
Working while cold can be generally unpleasant, but severe cold stress can also lead to hypothermia, which can be fatal. Cold stress can affect people working in cold or wet environments. Workers may show symptoms ranging from shivering to loss of consciousness. Hypothermia often happens so slowly that you don’t realize you’re in danger. Reducing the risks is an important step in keeping safe on the job site.
Dress for Success
When it comes to the cold weather, layers are a key strategy in staying warm. Layers allow you to adjust how warm you are as you can easily remove a layer of clothing. More than that, air is trapped between each layer and warmed by your body, insulating you from the cold. Water and wind proof gear is important as well since being dry is a key component of staying warm in the cold weather.
In particularly cold weather, try using long underwear or thermal underwear. Cotton can hold water against your body, so try synthetic fabrics or wool. Polyester, spandex, lycra, and nylon are often combined with other natural fibers to provide the right amount of moisture wicking properties and heat retention required.
Your daily pants and shirt also play an important role. If fit incorrectly, or made from the wrong fabrics, they may trap moisture from the layer below. This will make you feel damp. It is best to use synthetic fabric, wool, or a combination. You can layer more than one wool sweater on top of another if it is particularly cold, or if the sweaters are thin. Wool is an ideal fabric as it will stay warm, even when wet.
Finally, ensure you have an appropriately insulated coat and a hat. Most body heat is lost through the head. Coats should be waterproof. It that isn’t possible, try adding a water-resistant shell or a windbreaker.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Dehydration can lead to exhaustion and hypothermia. Drink plenty of fluids, but limit your intake of coffee and tea. Try hot water with lemon and honey, warm broth, or just plain water. Alcohol, even in small amounts, can increase body cooling.
Keep Moving
Bodies generate heat through movement. Depending on your job, you may be moving a lot, but if you aren’t, consider taking a short break to move around.
Stay Warm
Depending on the job site, consider an electric or propane heater you can take a break near. In some cases, a temporary enclosed shelter could be erected, or a trailer could be brought in. If those aren’t options, look into heated insoles for your shoes, heated vests, and/or heated gloves. Warming packs you can stuff into your pockets are another option. There are one-time use ones, and rechargeable ones.
Remember
If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, it is important to get their core temperature back up. Get them to a warm, dry area and remove any wet clothing. Use blankets, additional clothing, and heating pads. If they are conscious, give them warm liquids to drink. If they aren’t breathing or are unconscious, contact 911 immediately and perform CPR.
Additional Tips:
* Use a hat or headband that covers your ears
* Wool socks
* Wool lined gloves when possible
* Use a non-cotton scarf for wind protection
* Use ChapStick to keep your lips from drying out and cracking
* Try composite boots instead of steel-toed ones as they can be a “cold sink”
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Keep an eye on your mailbox! The Winter edition of our Onsite Informer magazine includes a list of hot lunches (that aren't soup!) to pack in your insulated container.
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Beer From Wastewater
During the spring of 2020, we shared some information about a Calgary company that used treated wastewater in their beer. The project was completed via a partnership between a local brewery, the University of Calgary and Xylem Inc., which produced a limited batch of 1,600 cans of Village Blonde beer using treated wastewater.
The excitement has reached the media once more, and an in-depth article, including an interview with Christine O’Grady, program coordinator at the University of Calgary’s Advancing Canadian Water Assets, can be found on Water Canada's website.
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Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training
The Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association provides an excellent industry training program for Onsite Wastewater Professionals throughout Western Canada.
This training program has been found to meet or exceed the requirements of the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement, and the New West Partnership.
Training, including the number of days, varies by province. More details on each program can be found on the provincial training pages, or by contacting our office.
Students will be required to complete an online training component prior to attending the classroom sessions.
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Virtual ClassroomDays 1 - 5 December 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2021
Days 6 - 10 January 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2022
Visit our website or contact the association office at 1-855-872-2645 for more information.
Virtual Classroom
January 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2022
February 4 & 5, 2022
Visit our website or contact the association office at 855-872-2650 for more information.
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Virtual Classroom
January 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 2022
Exam Day January 24, 2022
Download a registration form or contact the association office at 877-489-7471 for more information.
Manitoba students are being directed to Alberta or Saskatchewan for participation in their training programs at this time.
Contact the association office at 855-872-2659 for more information.
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Provincial/Federal Job Grants Continue to be Available for Training
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World Soil Day
December 5, 2021
Online
Septic Con
January 28—29, 2022
Tacoma, WA
AOWMA Convention & Trade Show
February 15—17, 2022
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WWETT Show
February 21—24, 2022
Indianapolis, IN
WCOWMA-BC Convention & Trade Show
March 3—5, 2022
World Water Day
March 22, 2022
Online
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