The next Convention and Trade Show will take place in Kamloops, BC, February 20—23, 2014.

How to Use the Forum

To get started:

You will need your username and password to access the forum. Most members should have one, but if you don’t, or you can’t remember it, please contact the WCOWMA office so we can set one up. To set up a new account, we will require your email address.

Once you have your username and password, go to www.wcowma.com. In the upper right hand corner, enter your username and password, then click “forum login”. You can now click on the words “WCOWMA Forums” in the upper right hand menu bar, or use the link within the drop-down menu under “Members”. (You can also click here.)

You now have access to all of the WCOWMA forums. Currently, there are 5 forums; one for each province as well as a link to view the forum Terms & Conditions. Select your provincial forum (or check out what’s going on in another province) by clicking on the title of the forum you wish to enter.

From here you can see, at a glance, all of the topics that have been created so far. Join in on a topic already created by clicking on its title, or create your own topic toward the bottom of the page. Simply enter a title in the “Topic Title” block, and then start writing in the text block below; once you are done you can click on the “Submit” button.

To join a topic simply click on the topic link, read the posts, and feel free to comment towards the bottom of the page. Please keep in mind that by using the forum you agree to the Terms and Conditions, which can be found on the main page of the forum. Your first comment will need to be approved by a moderator, so it may take a little while for it to show up. Please be patient.

If you have any trouble, we are always happy to help. Please contact the forum administrator at reports@wcowma.com.

Only the third such program in the Province, Septic Smart offers a range of free educational materials that WCOWMA members can share with their clients to help them save money, extend the life of their systems, and help the environment. The materials include an easy-to-read homeowner guide developed by wastewater management professionals that covers the various types of septic systems and the most cost effective way of maintaining them, a website (www.csrdsepticsmart.ca) with online videos offering great ‘how-to’ tips, and a children’s activity booklet on good source control behavior.

In 2012, Septic Smart also conducted a survey of properties in six CSRD communities (Anglemont, Gardom Lake, Malakwa, Sunnybrae, Swansea Point and White Lake), the results of which were recently shared with ROWPs at a marketing support session on May 9, 2013 hosted by the CSRD with cooperation from WCOWMA. Survey results indicated significant percentages with incomplete or non-compliant systems, including significant percentages of drywells, as well as low rates of inspections. “We’re hoping that ROWPs and the wastewater industry in the Shuswap will share the materials with their clients to help market their services and promote good septic system maintenance practices,” states Mooney. Complete survey results for all six communities are available for free download at www.csrdsepticsmart.ca.

The session also featured the launch of the CSRD’s Septic Smart Industry Partnership Program. The program is a partnership between ROWPs and the CSRD to foster better tracking of data on inspections and system health. Brent Dennis, WCOMWA-BC President, was in attendance at the marketing session and voiced support for the Industry Partnership Program. “The CSRD’s Septic Smart Industry Partnership Program is a great initiative that brings the region and industry together to support our common interest in improving onsite septic system maintenance. We strongly encourage our members to participate in this valuable project.”

To participate in the Industry Partnership Program contact CSRD Environment & Engineering Department at 250-833-5950 or email septicsmart@csrd.bc.ca. Septic Smart materials are available online at www.csrdsepticsmart.ca or by contacting the CSRD office for hard copies. Anyone can also receive updates on the program and local wastewater management issues by signing up to receive the semi-annual Septic Smart e-newsletter.

Article submitted by Gil Yaron, Light House Sustainable Building Centre and Darcy Mooney, CSRD

Where: Prince George, BC
When: June 11, 2013

Weather: Training will take place regardless of weather

Registration Fee: Members – $125.00 + tax
Non-members – $175.00 + tax

Register online or download a registration form.

This is workshop is running in conjunction with our six day training course.  If you are interested in taking part in the six day training, you can find more information here.

Please click here to register for this training.  You can also download a registration form.

If you are currently a member, but do not have a username and password, please contact us with your name, company name and email address.

If you are not a member, we encourage you to join our community and participate in all the benefits that membership has to offer, including the online forum.

More information can be found in their flyer.

PRELIMINARY REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Tentative Date: Monday, May 27, 2013

$250 Seminar, $150 exam fee (CANARM membership required)

(includes seminar, breaks, lunch, handouts, guidelines manual, certification document for successful completion of the exam)

If you are interested, or for more information, please contact:

Alex Passini, CANARM Director
250 682 6100 | apassini@gmail.com

or
Ken Nentwig, CANARM BC Jurisdiction
250-999-2472 | ken@canarm.org

We have a Soils Kit complete with a Munsell soil colour chart, field book for classifying soils, rain poncho and more available for $350.00.

Download a full description of the Soils Kit.

Information on this event was sent out to ROWPs working in the CSRD a few weeks ago, however if you haven’t sent in your intention to attend, there is still time to do so.

Where: CSRD Offices – 781 Marine Park Drive, Salmon Arm
When: May 9, 2013
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.

RSVP to Phaedra Turner; phone 250.833.5915 or email pturner@csrd.bc.ca

WCOWMA-BC will be participating in this information session.