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Read the Latest Edition of Watermark: Laying the Foundation
July 11, 2025
The summer 2025 issue is here!
If there’s one thing to know about the water and wastewater sector, it’s that fostering partnerships is crucial. Whether it is collaborating as a project team or sharing best practices between organizations, partnership is the driving force behind ensuring a safe, secure and resilient water environment in BC and the Yukon.
In this issue, we reflect on the lasting connections and learnings made at BCWWA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Victoria, BC, and what else is happening across the sector to innovate, engage and build a solid foundation of expertise and leadership – brick by brick.
Read the full issue of Watermark here. BCWWA members also receive a print edition of Watermark, so check your mailbox!
Measure Twice, Cut Once: BC Operators Test Skills in the Operator Challenge
Also known as the ‘Top Ops,’ the Operator Challenge has been a staple at BCWWA’s Annual Conference & Trade Show for as long as the conference has been running. It is a unique opportunity for top water and wastewater operators in BC and the Yukon to showcase their technical skills, teamwork abilities and industry knowledge in a fun, fast-paced competition. Watermark spoke with Dan Deacon, an operations supervisor with Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Services and instructor with BCWWA Education, about why BCWWA brought back the challenge, its significance to the sector and why it is important to get operators involved.
Navigating the Heat and Hazards for Rural Water Workers and How to Prevent Future Risks
By Gen Handley
During the warmer summer months, rural water workers can face several internal and external occupational hazards that are not only notable due to the high temperatures but also attributable to their mobile and solitary circumstances. Gen Handley looks at the occupational hazards, both visible and invisible, that occur during the summer months and what actions employers and teams can take to be better prepared for such events.
Managing the Impact of Light Industry on Municipal Wastewater Systems
By Parisa Sarmadi
As cities across western Canada continue to grow and diversify, municipal wastewater systems face increasing pressure from a less obvious but increasingly significant source: light industrial facilities. These operations, such as food processors, breweries, commercial laundries and metal workshops, can have an outsized impact on municipal infrastructure. Parisa Sarmadi explains why proactive engagement, early planning and smart water management are key to reducing light industry’s burden on municipal systems.
Celebrating Our One Water Sector: The 53rd BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show Convenes in Victoria
In April 2025, the 53rd BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show made a splash in BC’s capital city of Victoria. Over 1,200 water professionals gathered for three packed days of networking, learning and celebrating the incredible work happening across the water and wastewater sector in BC and the Yukon. Read a recap of the events that took place throughout the conference, from a keynote from Geoff Green, polar adventurer, educator and founder of Students on Ice, First Nations welcome from Nuumtunat of the Lekwungen Territory, our returning Operator Challenge and Tap Water Taste Test and a new one-on-one interview format for our Industry Innovation Showcase.
Watermark magazine is BCWWA’s quarterly magazine and member resource curated to keep water professionals up to date on the latest industry news, research, professional development, and best practices. If you would like to pitch an article or receive a print issue, get in touch with us at communication@bcwwa.org.