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December 2018 For the latest of happenings at WWNS, read on…
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Once again our season is coming to a quick closure and everyone seems to be working diligently
to get the last system installed before the freeze up begins. From all accounts, this was a busy year
for construction and hopefully everyone had a successful year.
WWNS did not hold regional meetings in 2018 but did have a very successful Septic Pumping
Expo and Annual General Meeting. The AGM is always well attended and the Expo continues to
grow each year. Suggestions for presenters or content are always welcome.
There was a great deal of interest expressed at the AGM in developing a WWNS group benefits
insurance plan. In partnership with Fralick Financial & SBW, Waste Water Nova Scotia has in
place a new group benefits insurance program which is available to all members of Waste Water
Nova Scotia. Details are included with this newsletter.
WWNS will be experimenting with a new delivery model for the regional meetings this coming
year. Several meetings will be held simultaneously and linked via teleconferencing. If this model
is successful, it should allow more options for presenters by reducing the time commitment of
having 14 separate meetings. Feedback would be appreciated from anyone attending one of these
meetings.
Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) continues to observe, listen to feedback and make adjustments to
the regulations to cover any issues that have arisen since implementing Notification. Several
important issues were identified at the AGM concerning 24 hour construction alerts and
responsibility for replacing malfunctioning systems. These issues were raised by the association
over the past 2 years as well and NSE has put forward changes to the regulations to make some
adjustments. We have been advised that changes to the regulations have been made as of the
publishing of this newsletter at the end of November. A summary of these changes is attached to
the newsletter. NSE continues to push forward with the development of a Best Practice document
to provide guidance for the industry. This will include the remaining elements of the previous
Technical Guidelines and will cover the non-technical elements such as recommended installation
procedures etc. Hopefully, this document will be available soon.
As Christmas is fast approaching, which also signals the closure of another construction season, I
would like to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and hope that you all have
a very safe and prosperous New Year!
Eric Morse, P.Eng., NSLS.
Chairman, WWNS
WWNS
NEWS
**With this Issue: 2019 WWNS Membership Application 2019 Regional Meeting dates and registration form 2018 Regulation amendments information sheet Group Insurance information sheet http://wwns.ca/UserFiles/file/WWNS%20membership%20form%202018.pdfhttp://wwns.ca/UserFiles/file/WWNS%20membership%20form%202018
Waste Water Nova Scotia
60 Kyle, Greenwood, NS, B2H 5C7
Phone: 902-246-2131 Fax: 902-246-2130
Email: [email protected]
Installer/QP Regional Meetings for 2019
WWNS will be holding regional meetings this year throughout the province in January and February for Installers, Qualified Persons and Professional Engineers. A registration form is included with this newsletter. Please choose a date and location that works for you and submit it at your earliest convenience as space is limited at some venues. There are some changes in the schedule and the delivery of the meetings for 2019. WWNS will be test running video conferencing on January 30 at the Best Western in Truro, Comfort Hotel in Bayer’s Lake and the Best Western in Bridgewater.
Septic Pumping Expo & Annual General Meeting
This year’s Septic Pumping Expo & Annual General Meeting will both be held at the Best Western Glengarry in Truro on April 12/13, 2019. Registration forms will be included with your next newsletter. You may reach the Glengarry at 902-893-4311.
Group Benefits Insurance Program for WWNS Members
In partnership with Fralick Financial & SBW, Waste Water NS has developed this new
insurance program which is available to all members of Waste Water Nova Scotia Society.
Please see the full page announcement attached to this newsletter.
Provincial On-site System Cost Study
The province has hired a private consultant to undertake a project to review factors that
contribute to the cost of on-site sewage disposal systems in Nova Scotia. The project is
being overseen by the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Department
(Environmental Services) in conjunction with Nova Scotia Environment.
The focus of the project is to better understand what factors affect the cost of installing and
replacing septic systems in Nova Scotia. Cost is a barrier for many Nova Scotians to
maintain, replace or install on-site septic systems that meet current standards.
The results of the work will allow the province to better understand how the standards and
requirements affect costs, and if there are opportunities to improve the program to reduce
costs and continue to be protective of the environment and human health.
The consultant will be communicating with WWNS and may reach out to members of the
association in doing their work to gather input over the next few months.
Nova Scotia Environment appreciates the assistance of WWNS and its membership in this
project, and assures that any information about specific sites, properties, businesses or
personal information will be confidential and not necessary to record or document.
If you have any questions about the project, please contact the province at
Septic Pumping during Road Spring Weight Restrictions
WWNS questioned the province about the process of emergency pump outs during spring
weight restriction time and the process, if any, for gaining a potential exemption. The
process is as follows:
1. In an emergency, someone can contact the Area Manager with TIR to request
permission during a time of spring weight restrictions, and provide the reason
and the details of the situation (specifying the time, location and roads to be
travelled).
2. The Area Manager can provide a verbal approval based on the request, and will
inform vehicle compliance. If it is after hours or during holidays then the TIR
contact centre can be contacted who will arrange to get in contact with an area
manager- https://novascotia.ca/tran/contact/contact.asp
3. If approved, then the person can proceed as noted, based on the information
provided.
Installer & Qualified Person Training
During 2018, WWNS coordinated three Installer training courses. The courses were held at Best Western Glengarry in Truro with a total of 51 persons attending the Installer training course. A Qualified Person course was held in August with 12 persons attending. To register for Qualified Person or Installer training, contact the office of WWNS.
As of May 2016 to become Certified as an Installer, applicants must successfully complete the Installer training course and have 1000 hours of work experience in the on-site sewage industry, including the installation of at least 6 systems. Qualified Persons must have successfully completed the Qualified Person training in addition to the Installer training course.
Your current Waste Water Nova Scotia Society Board of Directors are:
Eric Morse, Chair, Kings, Annapolis
Emery Peters, 1st Vice, Halifax, Hants
Lester Berrigan, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg
Tom Curry, CB Island, Guysborough, Antigonish
Jonathan Lepper, Cumberland, Colchester and Pictou
Steve Meuse, Digby, Yarmouth
David Roy Halifax, Hants
Darrell MacKenzie and Mark Jodrey, representing the Septic Tank Cleaners and Portable
Restroom Operators for the province.
The contact information for Board members can be found in the “Contact Us” section of the
WWNS website at http://wwns.ca/contact.php should you have any comments or issues.
WWNS Board of Directors
WWNS Bursary Program
NSE On-Site Services Program Position
NSE now has a full- time permanent engineer to oversee the onsite sewage program. Stefan
Furey will take over responsibilities previously held by Leah Boutilier at NSE. As usual,
contact the local office for any file specific concerns or questions. Stefan can be reached at
[email protected] for any general program questions.
Board member Lester Berrigan and Colin
Jollymore
Emma Culgin
Dillon Fisher
Congratulations to the 2018
Bursary recipients. Three
awards of $1000 were
presented to family members of
WWNS members to assist
them in their studies.
Colin Jollymore, nephew of
WWNS member Andre
Veinotte, who is enrolled at the
Institute of Technology in
Halifax.
Dillon Fisher, grandson of
WWNS member Doug
Willigar, who is enrolled in
Operating Engineers Training
Institute of Nova Scotia.
Emma Culgin, daughter of
Randy Culgin, who is enrolled
at the Nova Scotia Community
College in Truro
Congratulations to the
successful applicants and all
the best to everyone who
applied!
On-Site Sewage Program Tidbits
1. The purpose of the newsletters is to keep the industry informed on what is going on and to solicit feedback from industry on any concerns. It is our hope that we can continue to expand the use of email to provide this service in order to cut down on postage costs. If there are changes to your postal or email address, please let us know, so that you do not miss any mailouts.
2. New On-site Sewage Regulations can be found at
http://www.novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/envsewage.htm 3. On-Site Sewage disposal Systems Standard can be found at
http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/wastewater/docs/on-site-sewage-disposal-systems-standard.pdf
4. A list of Certified people can be found on NSE’s website at
https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/cms/search.asp
5. Please visit the WWNS website to check your Professional Development Point totals. Members of WWNS should verify that their contact information displayed on the Members Page is correct.
6. Please find included with this newsletter:
2019 WWNS Membership Application http://wwns.ca/resource/WWNS_membership_form_2019.pdf
7. The latest newsletter can always be found on the WWNS website.
Announcement Regarding New Group Benefits Insurance Program for WWNS Members
Waste Water Nova Scotia is pleased to announce the launch of the new WWNS Group Benefits Health
Insurance Program. In partnership with Fralick Financial & SBW, Waste Water NS has developed this new
insurance program which is available to all members of Waste Water Nova Scotia Society.
This new insurance program offers WWNS members the following insurance coverage:
Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage
Dependent Life Insurance
Extended Health Care Coverage & Drug Coverage
Short Term Disability and/or Long Term Disability
Dental Benefits Coverage
Health Care Spending Accounts
Employee Assistance Programs
This new program has been designed in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau Master Group
Health Insurance Program. This means that WWNS members will receive the benefits of an existing
large and well established health insurance program and will also enjoy the competitive and stable
pricing of this large program.
Business owners within WWNS and members will be able to tailor and choose the insurance coverage
they want to meet their individual insurance needs in this new program.
Health, Drug and Dental Coverage is also available for members planning to retire at a future date
from the industry.
This new insurance program will be underwritten by Medavie Blue Cross which is one of the largest
health insurance companies in Canada.
For more information on this new program and to obtain a quotation for your coverage, please
contact:
Mike Fralick Jamie Spence
Fralick Financial SBW Employee Benefits
Ph# (902) 293-6400 Ph# 1-877-677-0065
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
Information Sheet
Minor Amendments to the Onsite Sewage Disposal System
Regulations
November 2018
What Has Changed:
Language for 24 hour construction alerts has changed to make it clearer
Submission of the 24 hour construction alert Form to Nova Scotia Environment is
now required under the regulation for qualified persons and professional
engineers
An installer is required to obtain permission from a qualified person or
professional engineer before beginning to install a system
A slight language change to clarity that the lot Owner is responsible to ensure a
system is installed within 45 days and not an installer, qualified person or
professional engineer
Why the Changes were Made: The changes were made in response to issues identified by industry and
observations made by the department since notifications were introduced in 2016.
There was a need to make slight changes to language and clarify the intention of
the regulations to clarify roles and responsibilities that will benefit all
stakeholders
When do the changes become effective? Immediately
Where can the changes be found and what are the details?
https://novascotia.ca/just/regulations/regs/envsewage.htm
See section 4(1), 4(2) and 8(2)
If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
