WSA - Call for OCB Nominations

The Water Security Agency (WSA) is looking for a passionate and experienced individual to join the Operator Certification Board (OCB). The Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is seeking nominations to fill the seventh position on the board to facilitate the administration of the certification of water and wastewater operators in accordance with The Waterworks and Sewage Works Regulations and the Operators Certification Standards. For more information see the website: saskocb.ca

Eligibility and Terms

Eligible candidates are active and experienced in the field of drinking water and wastewater treatment or management. There will be preference to appointment a member from a rural municipality or small community to ensure diverse experience and representation on the board. Individuals should be passionate about the provision of safe drinking water and source water protection. They must reside in Saskatchewan and be able to provide a letter of nomination from their employer. The Minister has the authority to appoint a board member for a term up to three years from the date of appointment, with remuneration and travel expenses provided.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The OCB is a working board that meets six times per year (for a full day). Additionally, board members communicate via email between meetings to decide and achieve board business. Board member responsibilities may include:

· familiarity with, and ability to, interpret relevant regulations, standards and guidance documents;

· review operator applications for certification, which includes review of their education and experience as it compares to the requirements of the Operator Certification Standards and issuing or denying certification in collaboration with other board members;

· make business decisions including management of funds;

· participate in staff hiring (one part time employee);

· budgeting and approving expenses;

· supporting communications strategies (e.g., website); and

· any or all other activities required to ensure the board’s responsibilities are met.

Administrative duties are minimized as the OCB employs a part-time office administrator.

If you or someone you know are interested in providing a significant contribution to drinking water and wastewater management in the province, please send nominations via email to:

Jenna Furseth

Senior Water and Wastewater Program Analyst Water Security Agency jenna.furseth@wsask.ca

Deadline of Nomination: November 15, 2022

BRACE and Community Hydrologic Drought Response

BRACE and Community Hydrologic Drought Response

The Water Security Agency (WSA), with support from Natural Resources Canada’s Building Resilience and Adaptation Capacity Expertise (BRACE) Program, and in partnership with a number of SK Stakeholders (including Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC); Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC); Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association; Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA); Prairie Water; Upper Souris River; South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards; Old Wives Watershed Association; WUQWATR; Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards; North Saskatchewan River Basin Council; Carrot River Valley Watershed Association; Lower Souris Watershed Committee Inc.; and Assiniboine River Watershed Association), initiated the Building Capacity for Community Hydrologic Drought Response BRACE Project.

The objective of this project is to build community capacity to deal effectively with hydrologic drought in the context of a changing climate. It will help communities deal with the impacts of drought on both the community’s water supply and water quality, through the development of hydrologic drought response plans. The WSA, in collaboration of our various partners, hosted several online meetings with various communities to gather information and to work with these communities to complete a hydrologic drought risk assessment tool. WSA is currently using the information from the completed risk assessments to work with the communities to develop community specific Hydrologic Drought Contingency Plans. These contingency plans will identify the roles and responsibilities of the community’s staff and emergency planning committee. The plan will provide the community’s emergency planning committee with various planning and response considerations that will guide their activities and responsibilities during the various stages of a hydrologic drought.

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