Inspections Curriculum Development
An interprovincial committee representing all four western provincial associations met on July 14 to begin developing a framework for an inspections training course. The industry is receiving more and more demands for private inspections for such things as property sales and for other reasons.
The initial meeting looked at provincial requirements for inspection services and began the review of definitions for both performance and compliance inspections.
In BC, private inspectors perform both performance and compliance inspections, however in the prairie provinces, environmental health officers or safety codes officers perform compliance inspections and industry performs performance inspections, typically for real estate purposes.
The committee will be developing required core competencies for inspectors, defining the role of inspectors for both compliance and performance inspections, and then developing curriculum that meets the provincial requirements for each province. Currently, as BC has the most developed provincial regulatory requirements for inspectors the committee will use that framework as the basis to build curriculum around. The curriculum will then be adapted to each provincial jurisdiction.
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Technical Corner: Monitoring or Observations Ports
The Association offices often gets calls regarding various technical aspects of installation and recently there have been a number of requests for examples on how to construct and install monitoring ports, also called observation ports. All Western Provinces require monitoring/observation ports to allow for inspection within the soil treatment component to determine whether ponding is present. Placement of the monitoring/ observation ports in the soil treatment component may vary from province to province, but a general outline is included here. More detailed information is included in each province’s Standard. Key information from each Standard is listed from west to east. Diagrams for both construction and placement are included at the end of the article.
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Alberta SOP Update Opportunities
Opportunities are now available to participate in the Standard of Practice Update Training. This two-day training is now required for those wishing to maintain their Certificate of Competency in Private Sewage (PSDS ticket).
August 18-19, 2022 | Virtual Classroom
August 30-31, 2022 | Red Deer, AB
September 8-9, 2022 | Virtual Classroom
September 15-16, 2022 | Calgary, AB
September 22-23, 2022 | Virtual Classroom
September 27-28, 2022 | Virtual Classroom
September 29-30, 2022 | Edmonton, AB
Register online now
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Alberta Standard of Practice Manuals
Print copies of the new Standard of Practice Manuals are available through the AOWMA storefront.
Students who order the SOP training and the SOP manual at the same time can save on shipping.
Digital copies can be downloaded from the Safety Codes Council.
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AB Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training
The AOWMA has seen approximately 60 students go through our practitioner training since the beginning of this year.
Our next session is open for registration, and you can sign up here.
August 9 – 12 & August 23 – 26, 2022 | Virtual Classroom
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MB Site & Soils Day
The MOWMA hosted a Site & Soils Evaluation Field Day in Teulon on Monday, July 18th.
These practical training days are a great opportunity to get hands-on experience evaluating a site, as well as practicing hand texturing and sampling. Installers who have recently completed the Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program will be able to take their new knowledge and apply it on-site. Experienced designers and installers should also consider this opportunity to continue their education.
Thank you to Brett Gaudry site host.
Those wishing to attend future workshops, should keep an eye on our website or this newsletter for future dates.
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Additional photos have been posted to our Facebook page.
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BC Site & Soils Day
The WCOWMA-BC hosted a Site & Soils Evaluation Field Day in Kamloops on Monday, July 11th. It was a beautiful day, but very hot, reaching the mid-thirties by the afternoon.
This practical training day is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience evaluating a site, as well as practicing hand texturing and sampling. Installers who have recently completed the Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program will be able to take their new knowledge and apply it on-site. Experienced designers and installers should also consider this opportunity to continue their education.
The Association has held four Site and Soil Evaluation Field days throughout the province this year. Of the four site and soil days, two of them have the potential to be installation sites, along with a site from last year. Installation days will announced for the late summer / early fall.
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Additional photos have been posted to our Facebook page.
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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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Dates to be Announced
Contact the association office at 1-855-872-2645 for more information.
Dates to be Announced
Ccontact the association office at 855-872-2650 for more information.
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Virtual Classroom
August 9 – 12, 2022
August 23 – 26, 2022
Register online 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, 2022
Septic Con
January 27 - 28, 2023
Tacoma, WA
WWETT Show
February 20 - 23, 2023
Indianapolis, IN
WCOWMA-BC Convention & Trade Show
March 2 - 4, 2023
Nanaimo, BC
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Computer Tip
Summer is here and the weather is great. You decide to catch up on some work from your laptop in the backyard, but overheating your computer could be a disaster.
Here are a few ways to ensure your laptop stands a chance in the warmer weather:
Avoid Direct Sunlight. It can make it hard to see, but it can also damage computer components.
Keep the Fan Clean. Dust and debris caught in the fan can cause it to malfunction, which can lead to overheating.
Place It on a Flat Surface. Placing the laptop on a cushion or lap can contribute to improper air flow with the vents. This can lead to overheating.
Shut it Down Well. If the device hasn't finished powering down before you close it, it might not have cooled down properly. This can lead to, you guessed it, overheating.
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Inspirational Message
“I don't live to work; I work to live.”
- Noel Gallagher
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Fun Fact
International Left Handers Day is August 13th. Lefties make up 10-13% of the worldwide population.
The day was first observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. International Lefthanders Day was created to celebrate sinistrality and raise awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed in a predominantly right-handed world.
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