Experience, training and confidence among small, non-community drinking water system operators in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

The water operator plays an important role in water safety; however, little published research exists that has examined this role. The purpose of this study was to develop a greater understanding of the experience, existing knowledge, confidence and future training needs of the small, non-community drinking water operator in Ontario in order to help guide future outreach and training opportunities. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 332 small, non-community drinking water operators in Ontario was conducted in July and August 2011. Survey questions pertained to respondents' experience as operators, formal training, perceived importance of water safety issues, confidence in handling water safety issues, and future training needs. Approximately 16% (54/330) of respondents had one year or less experience as a water operator, and 60% (199/332) reported that being a water operator was not a chosen profession. Only 37% (124/332) of operators reported completing operator training. Respondents reported a preference for online training courses or on-site training (compared with a classroom setting). Low training rates, inexperience, and in certain situations, low confidence, among many small water system operators highlight a need to provide continued support to the development of ongoing training opportunities in this population.

Estimating the burden of acute gastrointestinal illness due toGiardia, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, E. coliO157 and norovirus associated with private wells and small water systems in Canada

“…They found a high proportion of waterborne disease outbreaks occurred in small drinking water systems serving <5000 people [ 25 ]. While the challenges small systems face are similar to large systems, they are usually operating with fewer people, who have less experience and technical knowledge [ 26 ]. Small systems often find it difficult to hire and retain staff with sufficient technical knowledge.…”

The Development of a Sustainable Operation Model for Small Non-Community Drinking Water Systems in Ontario, Canada

“…Lastly, municipal water systems report their adverse water quality incidents to two agencies to receive guidance, MOECP, and MOHLTC, where SDWSs are only required to report to the MOHLTC. (Pons et al, 2014). Our study focuses on small non-community drinking water systems that fit the definition of an SDWS under Ontario Regulation 319, also known as 'Small Drinking Water Systems.…”

“…In Ontario, SDWSs are defined as systems that make drinking water available to the public and are not connected to a community drinking water system (MOHLTC, 2015). In Ontario, there are over 9000 SDWSs providing drinking water to the public with no connection to a community drinking water system; most are located in rural areas (MOHLTC, 2015;Pons et al, 2014). Examples of SDWSs include municipally-owned airports, industrial parks, recreational facilities, community centres, libraries, motels, resorts, restaurants, churches, gas stations, and private cottages on communal water systems (MOHLTC, 2015).…”

Towards a Sustainable Small Non-Community Drinking Water System in Ontario: Owners’ Risk Awareness and Perceptions to Water Safety

“…that make drinking water available to the public and are not connected to a community drinking water system (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care [MOHLTC], 2015). Since the MOHLTC assumed the responsibility as the regulator in 2008, over 9000 public water systems across Ontario have been identified as SDWSs drinking water systems, mostly located outside of the urban centres (Pons et al, 2014).…”