Full-cost pricing recommended
by front line water professionals

Rod Holme

A single Ministry responsible for all water policy in Ontario was one of the major recommendations included in a joint report released by the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) and the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA). "We want to make sure there is no opportunity for any slippage between ministries in the delivery of safe drinking water," says OMWA past president, Max Christie.

The report, Ontario Drinking Water - Toward a Safe, Sustainable Future, also recommends a comprehensive, pro-active source water protection program. "Safe drinking water begins at the source and we believe there should be a prime focus on preventing drinking water problems from developing in the first place," stated Rod Holme, chair of the OWWA/OMWA Special Committee on Walkerton. The report recommends that particular attention be given to regulations governing non-point sources of water pollution, such as agriculture.

"Our members were devastated at what happened in Walkerton and we are committed to ensuring that any changes necessary in the Ontario drinking water system are made without delay," said Rod Holme, the seventh Canadian to be American Water Works Association president. He has been a member of ES&E's Editorial Advisory Board since the magazine began in early 1988.

OWWA/OMWA endorse a speedy implementation of full-cost pricing as a step toward ensuring that utilities have the resources to construct, maintain and replace the infrastructure as needed. It is estimated that full-cost pricing could add up to $1 per day to homeowners' water bills.

In addition, the report recommends that the Province conduct a thorough review of training programs for plant operators, managers and officials responsible for the delivery of safe drinking water. The report, which summarizes the extensive research, the submissions and the more than 100 recommendations made by the two Associations to the Walkerton Inquiry, is available on the web at: www.owwa.ca.

The OWWA is the voice of water professionals in Ontario. Membership includes research scientists, engineers, consultants, water plant operators and managers, and equipment manufacturers. The OMWA represents elected and appointed officials, and management representatives from more than 150 public drinking water authorities in Ontario.

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