Water Purveyor Working Group

Resources for Small Water System Operators

Do you own a restaurant, campground, trailer park, gas station, or any other system that provides water to more than one household or property? If your water system makes drinking water available to the public and you do not get your water from a municipal drinking water system, you may be an owner or operator of a small water system.

Through the Water Purveyor Working Group (WPWG) the Regional District of Nanaimo aims to assist small water purveyors by providing networking and educational opportunities. The WPWG offers water purveyors an opportunity to meet other owners and operators of small water systems in the area, share ideas, and learn more about the sustainable operation of small water systems.

Water Purveyor Working Group Workshop

The Water Purveyor Working Group Workshop is a free session of expert presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities designed to inform and connect small water system operators.

2022/2023- Workshop Recordings, presentation slides and website links:

Drought and Climate Change – Nicole Fulcher, Groundwater Protection Officer, Ministry of Forests

PDF Slides for Drought and Climate Change & Licensing and Registration Presentations

Water Sustainability Act: Groundwater Licensing and Registration – Province of BC

PDF Slides for Drought and Climate Change & Licensing and Registration Presentations

Emergency Response and Contingency Plans – Stacey Sowa, Island Health and Deborah Churko, RDN

PDF Slides from Island Health's ERCP Presentation

RDN's Emergency Response and Contingency Plan Template

BCWWA Community Portal and online resources – Claire Ross, BCWWA

BCWWA’s Community Network https://smallwaternetwork.org/

RDN’s Watersheds maps (look under Water Map tab)- including the state of aquifers in your area https://www.rdn.bc.ca/dwwp-resources

Past Workshops

On December 9th, 2021 the RDN partnered with Sustainable Infrastructure Society to host a virtual WPWG. The themes of this year included Awareness and Use of Online Resources for Water Purveyors and Preparation for Emergencies and Climate Change effects.

On January 30, 2020, the RDN partnered with Sustainable Infrastructure Society to host its' WPWG workshop at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. Presentations included the Interpretation of Water Quality Results, Water Sustainability Act: Groundwater Licensing and Drought Response, Groundwater Protection, Rainwater Harvesting, Communications and Water Rates, and Water Audits and Loss Control Programs. The workshop included a roundtable session for attendees and speakers to share their successes and challenges as small water system operators and opportunities to connect and network.

On October 25, 2018, the RDN presented its' WPWG workshop at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. Topics that were presented on included On-Line Help Resources, Design Challenges for Small Systems, Emergency Response Planning, Water Quality Issues and Solutions, Shock Chlorination Tips, and Administration Management. As always, this event was both productive and well-attended and we look forward to presenting another WPWG event in 2019.

On September 27, 2017, the RDN partnered with the BC Water and Waste Association and Sustainable Infrastructures Society to deliver a workshop on Taking Care of Your Water System. This workshop included presentations relating to cost considerations, regulatory landscapes, water treatment fundamentals, the role of operators, and resources on ongoing improvements.

On October 21, 2016, the working group met in Parksville for presentations from Four Star Waterworks, Island Flow Controls, Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions and Regional District staff, on gathering data to prepare for groundwater licensing. The workshop explored metering and monitoring technology for groundwater systems. It also included a user tutorial of the BC Water Resources Atlas, and other web resources available to purveyors looking to gather information about their wells and systems. Following the workshop, the working group attended a BC Ground Water Association ministry-led information session on groundwater licensing requirements.

On December 1, 2015, the WPWG met in Parksville for a workshop on Drought Response and Small-Scale Water Treatment, with presentations from Econics, GW Solutions, BI Pure Water, and Island Health. The workshop began with a focus on the topics of understanding drought and preparing for and responding to drought-related conditions. Following this, point-of-entry and point-of-use water treatment options, and the benefits and challenges of rainwater harvesting solutions for small water systems were discussed.

The BC Water & Wastewater Association (BCWWA) also attended the workshop to promote their new “Sustainable Small Water Systems” program. Please see the BCWWA Call For Participants for more information.

On October 30, 2014, the working group gathered for presentations from North Island Labs, Island Health, Watertiger Water Treatment and Drillwell Enterprises, all on water quality in groundwater. The workshop covered how to interpret water quality test results and delved into some water chemistry information to help small water system operators understand what water quality issues they may have and how to address them correctly.

On October 7, 2013, the WPWG met in Parksville for a series of roundtable discussions on the Top Challenges of being a water purveyor, as identified by participants. Two short presentations on Financial Best Management Practices and the online Water Use Reporting Centre were also a part of the day. See the outcomes summary: October 2013 Summary Notes

On November 22, 2012, the RDN held a meeting to discuss how small water system operators can create and implement specific Water Conservation Plans to run their systems more efficiently. Above are links to helpful documents used in the workshop.

On June 27, 2012, the RDN hosted another meeting of the Water Purveyor Working group with a focus on Financing and Treatment Options for Small Water Systems. It was well attended with engaging discussions and presentations. A summary of the discussion can be found here: June 2012 WPWG Summary Notes

On September 12, 2011, the RDN hosted a tour of local water systems to learn what other owners and operators are doing to manage their systems and deal with common issues.

On December 8, 2010, the RDN held the first meeting of a Water Purveyor Working Group - a FREE workshop for owners, operators, and managers of water supply systems (WSS).