My home position is a utility operator at the Water Treatment Plant in Saskatoon. This means that I operate the plant every other Sunday night and then spend the remainder of my time on process optimization and inventory. Currently I am in a one year temporary position as “operator in training coordinator” delivering and facilitating specialized training for operations staff.

I have worked for the Utility Services department for 16 years with approximately half of my time spent between water treatment and wastewater treatment. I was a chemical technician when I started in the plant as a temporary building and grounds labourer; I have since upgraded and now have a diploma designation. I was able to do this whilst still working with support from my employer.

I had not considered this field as a possibility – in fact I had very little knowledge about the water and wastewater industry at all. This was a summer opportunity and I was going back to school in the fall to finish my mechanical engineering diploma. However I found the job, although very physical, enjoyable and stimulating. I was offered an extension to my temporary building and grounds position and have continued to find this industry rewarding and engaging.

My work day is very varied from meetings with potential educators, teaching courses, facilitating workshops, webinars and training opportunities. I also have to work with managers and other principles to implement strategies and competencies to fulfill our permit to operate requirements, operator certification board requirements for operator certification and other legal and legislative issues.

I have been fortunate and have had a variety of opportunities in my work environment. I have worked in buildings and grounds, maintenance, operations and in the laboratory at both water and wastewater treatment plants. My colleagues have been very knowledgeable and willing to share their expertise with me.

Past President Report

It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve the members of the Saskatchewan Water and Wastewater Association as President in 2010/2011. The term has been a demanding one and the Board has developed some promising initiatives. One of which is the career attraction project as part of Western Canada Water. This is a very exciting initiative and has some great information about our industry for new and existing employees and employers. This is a series of short (approx. 10 minute) videos. These are available for viewing on our website at www.swwa.ca as well as at www.wcwwa.ca. The video segments along with the written information are intended as a tool for recruitment for our industry.

Our membership has grown by leaps and bounds. We now have over thirteen hundred members – providing services, information and education continues to be challenging.

I have had a great team of Board members to work with as well as our office manager. Our membership is a diverse group of water industry operators and it has been a wonderful and educational experience talking with you. Although our goal is the same, to protect public health, provide safe water and a good quality of life; continuing to achieve that in our communities is often very different.

Each of us needs a certain skill set, knowledge and experience to be successful, not to mention the support of our principals and peers. The opportunity to visit many of your workplaces and the warm welcome I received has been overwhelming. I am thankful for all the questions and information that you have given me as well as the encouragement and support.

Throughout my two year term my knowledge and appreciation to all of you working in this industry has increased tremendously. People in this industry are so willing to share their information and provide assistance where they can. It certainly makes one proud to be a part of it.

I encourage you to take the step and become a board member ndash; the experience is well worth it. I would like to thank my employer the City of Saskatoon for their support. I have found my term to be very challenging and rewarding. I will pass the gavel to my successor, Randy Antoniuk, with a mixture of regret and relief as he takes on the task of providing leadership to carry forward into the future.

Thank you again.

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