AWWA ACE71110

The Walkerton Clean Water Center is an educational and research institute dedicated to ensuring that training and information concerning drinking water quality and treatment is available and accessible to owners and operators of Ontario's drinking water systems. Obtaining appropriate operator training is among the many challenges facing small systems throughout North America. The Walkerton Clean Water Center, which is an agency of the Government of Ontario, has a special focus on small and remote communities. Established in 2004, the Center features a state-of-the-art technology demonstration facility, providing a unique opportunity for hands-on training and serving as a practical resource for operators and other water professionals. The Center operates two mobile training units which are outfitted with basic equipment for delivering hands-on, on-site operator training for those not easily able to reach traditional training facilities. A third mobile training unit is currently under construction and should be operational in late 2009. This presentation describes the mobile training units and various other Walkerton Clean Water Center training initiatives. The emphasis is on the challenges of delivering quality training to small systems and the success of the Center at delivering these programs. Includes figures.