Jim Green WCS AWWA CCC Manual Sub Committee Chair

1. Call to Order

Gary Coons called the meeting to order at 1:35 pm.

Gary welcomed all attendees. Doug Dolan presented Gary with a BCWWA fleece vest in recognition of his efforts for the committee.

2. Acceptance of the Agenda

Motion: Ron Wardner moved to accept the agenda as presented. Doug Dolan seconded. Carried.

3. Introductions

Committee members introduced themselves. Jim Green attended the meeting as the WCS AWWA CCC Manual sub-committee Chair.

4. Adoption of Minutes May 25/26 2002

Motion: Doug Dolan moved to accept the minutes of the May 25-26 2002 meeting. Ron Wardner seconded. Carried.

5. Business Arising from the Minutes

5.1. Review of Terms of Reference

Notes from the 2002 meeting were reviewed. It was recommended that the Terms of Reference be changed to allow each section to determine who would be their representative. Revised Terms of Reference are attached.

5.2. Review of Goals and Objectives

5.2.1. Develop initial administrative requirements and processes for CCCCSC

Gary Coons sent a letter to Duncan Ellison of CWWA (attached) in November 2002, and a follow-up email in March 2003. There has been no response from the CWWA.

It was suggested that the sections contact their CWWA directors in order to facilitate communication with CWWA.

The National Research Council may have funds. Michael Birks may have contacts with that group.

A CCC Conference would be a good source of funds, but not yet something that the committee is in a position to host. This will be a future funding source.

5.2.2. "Canadianize" the Cross Connection Control Manual developed by AWWA Western Canada Section

Questions on where the original will reside, what software would be required to maintain it, what system will be used to implement changes. Goal is for all sections to use the national manual.

BC’s major concerns are the cost of the meeting and the addition of Proctors, the balance being more housekeeping in nature.

Jim requires verbiage to be written out for inclusion into an initial draft.

Audrey Arisman will talk to the printer regarding printing diagrams in colour. Can the existing pictures be refined and colour added.

Pricing proposal was presented. Was decided that the 40% discount will be available to AWWA sections only. Revised pricing follows:

Based on the Canadian Manual being controlled by the CCCCSC. Changes and submissions presented by section for approval by CCCCSC.

Manual production and updating handled through the WCS AWWA CCCC administration office.

Proposed pricing based on 2003 actual costs and that the WCS AWWA will receive a royalty per manual of a minimum of $10 per manual. The justification for this would be that the basis of the manual is the WCS manual and the WCS AWWA would be maintained as the publisher.

5.2.3. Establish a national program for accreditation, reciprocity, and certification in backflow and cross connection control

5.2.4. Promote national awareness of backflow prevention.

6. New Business

6.1. Non participating sections and the effect on the Committee

There was discussion on the affect on the committee of sections not participating at the national level.

Copies of these minutes will to be sent to Gary Sullivan with a request that the directors take back the importance of participation back to their sections. Each section will forward the minutes to their respective directors.

We need support of all Canadian section for the national manual and would like input from all section in the development of the manual.

Next meeting will be held in Niagara Falls, Ontario May 29-30, to facilitate the attendance of Ontario and Quebec.

WCS AWWA will train instructors in Quebec with the understanding that they will have to administer the program from within their section afterwards.

Doug Dolan and Albert Jones will report to Ron Wardner on conversations with their directors and with CWWA. The committee is looking for $10,000 initial funding as well as participation from Quebec and Ontario in the 2004 meeting.

6.2. Manual Updates

Discussion on distribution of manual updates, this is a continuing issue for ACWWA.

Each section needs to be kept informed of changes to the manual. The national committee will finalize changes to the manual.

Manual registration cards should either be generic to go to each section for tracking for update purposes, or updates can go to registered/current backflow testers only.

New manual could be sent to testers with existing manuals at a lower rate (perhaps at cost).

6.3. Tester Status

BC does not currently require re-certification or run re-certification programs. Testers are required to pay an active tester renewal fee annually in order to maintain testing status. Individuals that have allowed their memberships to lapse for three years or more must take the course and be certified again. The BCWWA renewal form includes proof of testing.

Manual should show that testers must show evidence of testing.

Adding licence/registration fee would help fix the current verbiage in the manual.

The WCS AWWA recommends that testers renew every 5 years. It is up to each jurisdiction whether to enforce this.

Consensus was to keep the recommendation of a five year renewal as a best practice, up to the discretion of the jurisdiction.

6.4. Manual reference in Building Code

Discussion on reference to manual in CSA – Once a national manual is available, it needs to be submitted to the National Building Code because of the length of time in the submission process.

It will be more difficult to get the manual accepted into the building code without the support of the Ontario and Quebec sections.

7. Next Meeting

May 29-30, 2004 Niagara Falls, Ontario.

8. Adjourn

Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.