Webinar: A look into the future of Biosolids regulations in Canada by Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association

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About This Webinar

The beneficial use of biosolids is an important component of many wastewater facilities function. This session will discuss the regulation of biosolids use across Canada - from the role of the federal government to how provincial authorities are regulating use. The session will put a spotlight on the need for environmental protection from emerging and known contaminants in biosolids along with the environmental benefit of using this resource.

Generously Sponsored by

Agenda

Introduction
A word from our Sponsor - Stephen Davidson, Tetratech
Biosolids Management in the Age of Emerging Pathogens, PFAS and Microplastics - What is Next? - Banu Ormeci, Carleton Unviersity
Regulation of municipal biosolids in Canada and changes to the Fertilizers Regulations - Ewa Madey, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fertilizer Safety Section
Panel Discussion Featuring
Tony DiFruscia , City of Montreal
Gordon Dinwoodie, Alberta Environment and Parks, Land Policy Branch
Siobhan Burland Ross, Province of Manitoba Conservation and Climate
Jim McQuarrie, Tetra Tech, Denver

Presenters

Darren Keam

Moderator: WSP

Darren Keam, M.Sc. P.Ag. Darren is a Regional Manager and Senior Soil Scientist for the WSP Canada Inc. of the Environment and Geotechnical Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Darren has over 22 years of experience in agriculture and environmental management consulting. As a Professional Agrologist he provides agri-environmental advisory services for the land application of biosolids in Manitoba providing guidance to municipal clients for the sustainable and beneficial reuse of nutrients for cooperating farm producers. Darren also completed his Master of Science in Environment and Management, evaluating the suitability of lagoon wastewater irrigation in the Interlake region of Manitoba.

Stephen Davidson

Sponsor: Tetratech

Mr. Davidson graduated from the Université de Sherbrooke at the bachelor's level and from the École Polytechnique de Montréal at the second cycle.

He has worked since the start of his career in various consulting firms. He specializes in the field of the Environment in terms of sustainable development. As such, he has the opportunity to work on many projects for the management of organic materials, climate change, renewable energies and more particularly biomethane and its recovery.

Mr. Davidson is active in several associations including SWANA and the Canadian Biogas Association. He has more than 35 years of experience and today holds the position of General Manager of Tetra Tech in Environment covering Eastern Canada from the Montreal office.

Banu Ormeci

Carelton University

Dr. Banu Örmeci received her MS and PhD degrees from Duke University (USA). She is the Jarislowsky Chair in Water and Global Health, Canada Research Professor in Wastewater Treatment Engineering, and the Director of the Global Water Institute at Carleton University. She leads an internationally recognized research program on wastewater and biosolids treatment and has several patents. Dr. Örmeci serves on the International Water Association (IWA) Strategic Council, IWA Sludge Management Specialist Group, and WEAO (Water Environment Association of Ontario) Residuals and Biosolids Committee. She is the recipient of several research, teaching, and mentoring awards.

Ewa Madey

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Ewa Madey is the national manager of the Fertilizer Safety Section at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. She has been managing the Fertilizer program for over 10 years now. Ewa received her PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Waterloo and this field of study has always been her passion. She lives in Ottawa Ontario with two lovely dogs.

Tony Di Fruscia

Panelist: City of Montreal

Tony Di Fruscia has been a civil engineer for more than 30 years. He received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Concordia University and his master's degree from l’École Polytechnique at the University of Montreal.

A water treatment engineer, he specialized his career during his 18 years at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Quebec Ministry of the Environment.

Since 2010, Mr. Di Fruscia has been a process engineer at the Jean-R.-Marcotte Wastewater Treatment Plant in the City of Montreal. In this capacity, it ensures compliance of the water and sludge treatment facilities to meet environmental regulations. In addition, he is responsible for the biosolids recycling projects, including Fertili Cendres, a recently registered product with the CFIA as an agricultural fertilizer, and sludge pellets from thermal drying

Gordon Dinwoodie

Panelist: Alberta Environment and Parks, Land Policy Branch

Gordon Dinwoodie is a Land Reclamation Policy Specialist and Professional Agrologist with Alberta Environment and Parks. Gordon develops guidelines for soil remediation and land reclamation, as well as guidance for the land application of industrial and municipal wastes. He was a member of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Compost Guidelines Task Group and Biosolids Task Group and currently chairs the CCME’s Contaminated Sites Working Group.

Siobhan Burland Ross

Panelist: Province of Manitoba Conservation and Climate

Siobhan Burland Ross has been the manager of the Municipal and Industrial section of the Environmental Approvals Branch, Manitoba Conservation and Climate for more than ten years. Siobhan’s mandate includes the environmental assessment and licensing process for wastewater treatment facilities, waste processing and disposal facilities, mines and industrial developments; the assessment and issuance of Certificates of Approval under The Public Health Act for wastewater collection systems; managing the mandatory certification program for operators of water and wastewater facilities; and the issuance of construction permits for livestock manure storage facilities.

Prior to re-joining the Environmental Approvals Branch in 2009, Siobhan worked as a consultant in Ontario on various projects including risk assessments for contaminated site remediation and air dispersion modelling of industrial air emissions. Siobhan has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Regional Environmental Systems Engineering (1996) from the University of Regina, and a Master of Engineering (1998) from McMaster University.

Jim McQuarrie

Panelist: Tetratech

Mr. McQuarrie has over 20 years in the industry split evenly between consulting engineering and working in operations at a large wastewater treatment utility serving 2M PE. Consistent through his career however is belief that value to the rate payer, and economical recovery of resources are two core tenants of good wastewater infrastructure service. Biosolids management is one of the largest cost centers at a utility and at the same time, a valuable end-product to be handled in a manner that abides by circular asset principles. As One Water Innovation Lead at Tetra Tech, his role is to support utilities in identifying the best infrastructure investment and management strategies for 21st century water resource recovery facilities. Mr. McQuarrie is active in International Water Association (IWA), the Water Research Foundation (WRF) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).

When not at work, his favorite hobbies include outback camping, mountain biking, bluegrass music and ice fishing.

Panelist: Benoit Lebeau

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Ontario (OMAFRA)

Benoit is a nutrient management engineer with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs of Ontario (OMAFRA) since 2005. He assists farmers, consultants and engineers in understanding the requirements of the Nutrient Management Regulation in Ontario and reviews nutrient management strategies and plans for approval by OMAFRA. Prior to joining OMAFRA, Benoit worked for various municipalities in Ontario and British Columbia managing biosolids programs and optimizing wastewater treatment plants. Benoit is a member of the Residuals and Biosolids Committee of the Water Environment Association of Ontario (WEAO) and also had the opportunity to be part of the Biosolids Task Group that was established by the Canadian Council of Minister of the Environment (CCME).

Robert Haller