The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) has launched a new drinking water course for First Nations communities through a partnership with Keewaytinook Okimakanak and the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC).
The one-day course, Managing Drinking Water Systems in First Nations Communities, focuses on components of effective drinking water system management, resources, and practical tools. The target audience for this course is individuals in management and supervisory positions in drinking water and those interested in becoming managers and supervisors. Training will be provided at no cost to participants, including all associated expenses.
The first public delivery of the new course was held May 2, 2019 in Dryden with 13 participants attending the course. Feedback on the course was excellent, with 100 per cent of the participants rating it as good or excellent.
The new course builds on WCWC’s success delivering the Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators for First Nations, which was tailored to reflect the needs of drinking water system operators in First Nations communities. Each course delivery is a two-week initiative with one week of supervised self-study and one week of practical hands-on training. Since 2017, more than 100 Indigenous participants have successfully completed the course.
WCWC was established in 2004 as an agency of the Government of Ontario to help ensure clean and safe drinking water for the entire province. WCWC coordinates and provides education, training, and information to drinking water system owners, operators, and operating authorities, and the public, to safeguard Ontario’s drinking water. To date, high-quality drinking water training has been provided to more than 86,000 participants across Ontario. Through partnerships, WCWC also provides training for the 133 First Nations communities in Ontario.
