The bane of every maintenance provider’s existence is back in the news. From Windsor, Ontario to Metro Vancouver, BC, regional districts and municipalities are urging residents to stop throwing so-called “flushable” wipes in the toilet. “Wipes don’t break down like toilet paper — they cause clogs that jam pipes, pumps and other infrastructure. Yet, many are […]

The installation season is once again upon us, and with that, the development of system designs and information pertaining to specific sites and clients. Each year, the association receives member reports of copyright infringement. What does that mean? Basically, a designer or contractor has designed an onsite wastewater system for a client and has then

WCOWMA-BC is collecting feedback from members on changes they would like to see in the BC SPM. This feedback will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health for their consideration. If you have suggestions for change or clarification in the SPM, please fill out the brief survey.

The B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) is a cost-sharing grant program that funds small, medium and large enterprises to support skills training for their workforces, including prospective new hires. The program helps British Columbians access the skills training required to adapt to the labour market’s changing job requirements, while also encouraging employer involvement in skills training. The Employer Training

Update Your Mailing Address Don’t miss out on your chance to receive the Summer 2025 issue of WCOWMA’s Onsite Informer Magazine!Take a moment to contact our office with your updated address. Be A Part of the Magazine WCOWMA is sourcing articles for publication in our printed magazine, which includes information, news, and events from each of the Western provinces.Articles submitted may

Do you have an onsite wastewater system installation coming up? We need your help! Our students require a Site and Soil Field Evaluation Day to complete their Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program, and we’re calling on our valued contractor members across Western Canada to assist us. This hands-on experience is critical to our students’ learning

The Districts of Coldstream and Lake Country have resolutions to discuss at the annual Interior municipal convention, though none were expected to be supported. One of note for the onsite wastewater community is the “Ministerial Oversight of Proposed Sewage (Septic) Systems.”  The resolution was to: The agenda document stated the SILGA Resolutions Committee recommended both

Spring has sprung and with it the start of field training! Twelve students enjoyed a sunny day on Denman Island on April 17th learning how to assess soils.  Steve Carballeira led the class in the selection of test pit location, test pit excavation, horizon by horizon assessment, and the application of the findings to a

WCOWMA-BC hosted a one-hour webinar on April 8th on archeological inspections prior to excavation. This session, delivered by Raini Bevilacqua, Archeologist and Project Manager for the K’omoks First Nation, provided information to ROWPs on the processes for applying for Cultural Inheritance Inspection Permits, carrying out inspections, areas of concern, and mitigation measures. We had eighteen people

The United States Environmental Protection Agency released a new document, titled Safeguarding Against Natural Hazards and Extreme Weather Events: A Resource Guide for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), also referred to as septic systems or decentralized systems, treat wastewater and return the treated effluent to the environment. Due to natural hazards