WE ARE A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING MORE THAN 4,500 WATER PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING SAFE, SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE WATER, SEWER AND STORMWATER SYSTEMS IN BC AND THE YUKON.
Our members work every day to keep our water systems clean and safe from source to tap to drain and back to the environment. We deliver professional development, training, certification and advocacy programs and services to ensure that our water systems continue to protect public health and the environment. As a not-for-profit organization, any net proceeds generated from membership fees or our programs and services are re-invested into serving the needs of our members and water community
OUR VALUES
FUN
We create an atmosphere where contributions and successes are celebrated.
We actively work with a diverse water community to provide meaningful opportunities to share skills and expertise INCLUSIVE
INNOVATIVE
We are committed to the advancement and adoption of technology and practices to serve our members and protect public health and the environment.
INFORMED
We are fact-based, objective and balanced in our approach
OUR MEMBERS DESCRIBE US AS
PROFESSIONAL
INFORMED ESSENTIAL HELPFUL
TRUSTWORTHY
GOVERNANCE
THE BCWWA IS GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF ELEVEN ELECTED MEMBERS THAT INCLUDE EIGHT VOTING DIRECTORS AND THREE EX-OFFICIO NON-VOTING DIRECTORS. THE ROLE OF THE BOARD IS TO ESTABLISH THE “ENDS” (LONG-TERM IMPACTS) THAT DESCRIBE WHAT THE ORGANIZATION IS TO ACHIEVE.
The daily operations of the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) are managed by a team of ten permanent staff led by a chief executive officer The role of staff is to establish and execute operational strategies and actions that accomplish the organization’s Ends, with support from the Association’s committees The BCWWA’s technical and program advisory committees are comprised of members who volunteer their time to assist staff in delivering the Association’s programs and services
2024 – 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Negin Tousi
President David Nairne & Associates Ltd
Siobhan Robinson
Director Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
Ted Molyneux
CWWA Director
Indigenous Services Canada
Michelle Revesz
Vice-President City of Vancouver
Brianne Tenk
Director City of Victoria
Deirdre Moran
AWWA Director Waste'n WaterTech
Mike Homenuke
Past President Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd
David Houghton
Director AECOM
Mike Gosselin
WEF Delegate City of Kelowna
Samira Harris
Secretary-Treasurer Kiewit Corporation
Carlos Hunte
Director Metro Vancouver
CEO'S MESSAGE
On behalf of the BC Water & Waste Association’s (BCWWA) staff, I am pleased to present the 2024 Annual Report. The purpose of this report is to inform our members and stakeholders about initiatives undertaken to meet the goals and objectives set out in our Strategic Plan and the resources dedicated to achieving this.
Fiscal 2024 was the last year of BCWWA’s 2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan and my first full calendar year as the Association’s CEO. It was also a year in which I was able to implement many of the short-term goals and objectives I communicated to the Board when I first began at the BCWWA. These commitments were to lower overhead and ancillary costs, ensure a value proposition for members, develop and grow our outreach and engagement initiatives with other stakeholders and government and review the organization’s staffing structure
2024 was also a year of lowering our costs The money that funds BCWWA’s operations is our member’s money and needs to be respected as such With that in mind, I have taken steps to ensure BCWWA has the right people in place to provide members with the services and support they expect while lowering our overhead to align with revenues The results speak for themselves As opposed to a slight deficit forecast for 2024, the BCWWA turned a modest profit, which will be reinvested into the organization
It was an exciting year for events and networking, starting with the annual conference in Whistler. It was my first conference with BCWWA, and I truly enjoyed it. I immediately saw the value in developing a program that enhances connections with vendors and suppliers and the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the people and organizations working within this critical sector. We ended the year with the Yukon Workshop, which was once again oversubscribed due to the tremendous local support we received to put on such a high-calibre program. We saw firsthand the value of having an elected official and decision-maker attend our events as Yukon Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn attended to give a keynote address and meet with delegates.
Lastly, our work to confirm the BCWWA as the organization of record for administering cross connection control (CCC) certification in BC was successful and bolstered by the release of our report on CCC programs and ratification of a national Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on CCC best practices.
2024 laid the groundwork for our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, which brought together the Board and management team in a series of planning sessions This generated many discussions on how a Strategic Plan could best reflect organizational objectives while remaining dedicated to member priorities The new Strategic Plan now identifies four priorities: Education, Networking, Advocacy and Organizational Sustainability
This was a year of thoughtful assessment and, in some cases, doing things differently I recognize that this can be challenging, and I would like to acknowledge BCWWA’s Board of Directors for their support and my wonderful staff for their patience and willingness to embrace change
Lee Coonfer
Chief Executive Officer
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
This year has been one of listening, learning and leveraging the incredible talent within our industry while staying true to our mandate. At the 2024 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Whistler, I committed that BCWWA would meet its members where they are. Listening to our members is the best way to refine our value proposition and ensure their voices shape our efforts.
Members shared a range of priorities that our industry must address, with workforce challenges, financing, and climate change among the most pressing concerns. In response, we took action. We participated in key initiatives and discussions with ministerial counterparts, drawing on our members' expertise to inform decision-making. We strengthened relationships with decision-makers in BC and Yukon, positioning BCWWA as a trusted knowledge hub and helping shape policies and solutions that tackle our sector’s biggest issues Building on the success of previous Leadership Council events, we hosted a multi-day collaborative session, gathering critical input that directly shaped our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan
Addressing workforce challenges remained a priority We provided training to over 1,300 professionals, expanded our course offerings with nine new programs and delivered 13 custom training courses tailored to industry needs Our partnerships with water and wastewater associations across Canada and global partners facilitated knowledge-sharing, reinforcing our commitment to professional development and workforce sustainability. Education remains a cornerstone of BCWWA’s mandate, advancing the industry while ensuring financial stability.
Creating meaningful opportunities for members to connect was another key focus. In response to overwhelming demand, we returned to the Yukon for a second consecutive workshop, providing a space for valuable dialogue and knowledge exchange. Despite a smaller space for the trade show, our Whistler annual conference received high praise from vendors for its engagement and networking opportunities. We saw the return of the “Best of the Best” tap water taste test and introduced a cultural tour for delegates to visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, further strengthening our industry’s sense of community.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) remained a critical focus, though there is still much work ahead. Defining DEI for the BCWWA and determining the best path forward is an ongoing effort. This year, we approved our official DEI commitment statement, reaffirming our dedication to meaningful progress We are committed to fostering a more inclusive and representative industry, ensuring all voices are heard in shaping our collective future
None of this would have been possible without our dedicated staff, board members, volunteers and partners Their unwavering commitment and hard work have made this one of the most successful years in BCWWA’s history I am honoured to have served as president and will proudly pass the torch at the annual conference in Victoria, knowing the association is well-positioned for continued success
As we enter 2025, we face an evolving landscape with new challenges and opportunities. Now more than ever, we must return to the fundamentals serving communities, supporting decision-makers and ensuring water remains at the heart of a healthy, resilient future.
Negin Tousi
President
OUR MISSION
TO CONNECT AND EMPOWER THE BC AND YUKON WATER SECTOR TO ADVOCATE FOR AND SAFEGUARD
PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
2022 - 2024 STRATEGIC PLAN
The BCWWA is guided by a Strategic Plan that outlines the future direction of the Association from 2022 to 2024. It describes BCWWA’s mission, priorities, desired end results and how we will accomplish them.
3-YEAR PLAN: THE 4 ENDS
THE WATER SECTOR HAS AN ENGAGED NETWORK
WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONNECTING AND EMPOWERING BC AND THE YUKON’S WATER SECTOR THROUGH COLLABORATION, NETWORKING AND KNOWLEDGE-SHARING OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR MEMBERS
Our members are employed in a variety of jobs and occupations as water and wastewater facility operators, utility managers, engineers, technicians and technologists, consultants, government policy and regulatory staff, researchers, suppliers, backflow assembly testers and cross connection control specialists.
815
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
536
50
STUDENT MEMBERS
4,552
2,712 OPERATOR MEMBERS
TOTAL MEMBERS
270
AWWA AFFILIATED MEMBERS
88
SMALL SYSTEMS MEMBERS
CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL MEMBERS
81
WEF AFFILIATED MEMBERS
ENGAGING OUR WATER SECTOR
WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS TO BUILD THEIR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP ON COMMITTEES, COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS.
4
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Cross Connection Control Technical
Drinking Water
SCADA & OT
Green Infrastructure
5
PROGRAM AND MEMBERSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Conference Planning
Cross Connection Control Education
Student Design Competition
Reconciliation
Young Professionals
172
VOLUNTEERS
6 COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICES
Cross Connection Control
Drinking Water
Green Infrastructure
SCADA & IT
Source Control
Wastewater Management
1 GROUP
Young Professionals
408 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS
There were many opportunities for volunteers to get involved in 2024, from evaluating abstract submissions and moderating presentations during the annual conference, submitting to Watermark magazine and participating in provincial policy and municipal regulatory panels. Here is some work undertaken by our committees:
The Reconciliation Committee hosted a well-attended tour of the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre and helped coordinate a presentation from Maxine Bruce of the Lil’wat First Nation.
The Drinking Water Committee published an article in Watermark magazine highlighting the work and responsibilities of the committee over the year. In 2024, a PFAS Taskforce was formed with the purpose of keeping members informed about this ongoing issue.
The Young Professionals Committee held multiple in-person sessions in 2024, including a YP Symposium during the annual conference, a World Water Day event at City Hall and a “Pathways to Professional Licensing in BC’s Water and Wastewater Sectors” event in collaboration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC).
In September 2024, Cross Connection Control Technical Advisory and Education Advisory Committees discussed the modification of recertification examination testing procedures and an ad-hoc group of cross connection control volunteers reviewed the Protecting Our Communities from Backflow Contamination report to provide technical content and subject-matter expertise
The BCWWA organizes free-for-members webinars covering timely topics related to the water sector that are brought forward by our community of practice co-leads Eight webinars were hosted in 2024
FOSTERING STRONG CONNECTIONS TO PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION (AWWA), THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION (WEF) AND THE CANADIAN WATER & WASTEWATER ASSOCIATION (CWWA) THROUGH JOINT MEMBERSHIP AND BOARD RELATIONSHIPS.
The BCWWA is dedicated to fostering positive relationships with affiliate and provincial organizations, including taking active roles on Canadian Affairs Committees for both AWWA and WEF and purposefully engaging with partner organizations where key linkages are found.
We work closely with the AWWA Canadian Affairs Council to update the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Cross Connection Control (CCC) Certification Program. CEO Lee Coonfer met with Section members at various events in the fall of 2024 to gain their approval and signature on the MOU.
In areas concerning strategic partnerships, we were able to confirm our standing as the administrator for CCC certification in BC and reach a satisfactory conclusion to areas of responsibility with the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP).
On the government relations front, we successfully engaged with the BC Ministry of Housing regarding Bills 45 and 47 and with the provincial government on disaster and climate change responses. There were also opportunities to engage provincial government staff from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Health in Leadership Council activities.
Annual conference delegates visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, BC.
BCWWA leadership attends the CWWA conference in Winnipeg, MB.
Annual conference delegates participate in the Young Professionals’ Symposium.
END 2
BC AND THE YUKON HAVE A COMPETENT AND SUSTAINABLE WATER SECTOR WORKFORCE
WE DELIVER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS AIMED AT SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD INDUSTRY NETWORKS.
2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW – WHISTLER, BC
1,251
PEOPLE ATTENDED
135 98%
EXHIBITING ORGANIZATIONS
DELEGATE SATISFACTION EXHIBITOR SATISFACTION
OF DELEGATES INDICATED THE EVENT INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE
OF DELEGATES ARE WILLING TO RECOMMEND THE CONFERENCE TO OTHERS
The 52nd BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show returned to Whistler, BC, in April 2024 for a memorable and compelling conference. The conference focused on the theme “The Ripple Effect: When Action Becomes Change.” The theme led a two-day education program that saw over 120 education sessions from knowledgeable industry professionals and leaders. Delegates visited Whistler’s Cheakamus Wastewater Treatment Plant, the District of Squamish’s Mamquam Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre for a cultural tour.
We were pleased to welcome Dr. Steve E. Hrudey, a drinking water expert, researcher and professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, as our keynote speaker We also welcomed Maxine Bruce from the Lil'wat Nation to share the connections of the Lil'wat people to the land and water since time immemorial
The “Best of the Best” BC & Yukon Tap Water Taste Test returned to the annual conference for a fun and friendly competition between water purveyors and utilities to determine which has the best-tasting tap water We welcomed a panel of esteemed judges, including Resort Municipality of Whistler’s Acting Mayor Jeff Murl, Whistler Chamber of Commerce and Fairmont Chateau Whistler Director Wendy Hargreaves, American Water Works Association Representative Gluzen Ramos Ong and Water Environment Federation Trustee Tracy Ekola Congratulations to Phantom Creek Estates Winery from Oliver, BC, for winning the 2024 “Best of the Best” title!
2024 YUKON WORKSHOP & TRADE SHOW – WHITEHORSE, YT
81% OF DELEGATES INDICATED THE EVENT INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE
At the request of its Yukon members, the BCWWA hosted a subsequent Yukon Water & Wastewater Workshop & Trade Show in October 2024 The event returned to the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse following a successful 2023 event
For the first time in the event’s history, the keynote speaker was a cabinet minister from the territorial government of the Yukon, Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn Delegates appreciated the opportunity to hear from the Minister about the Yukon government’s priorities and exhibitors engaged with the Minister during his walk-through of the trade show floor
Yukon Minister, Richard Mostyn, speaks with delegates at the Yukon Workshop.
Operators Arvid Bensler and Scott Simpson win 2024 “Best of the Best” award.
CEO Lee Coonfer greets First Nations speaker Maxine Bruce.
DELIVERING EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO THE WATER COMMUNITY
BCWWA EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN ONLINE, VIRTUAL CLASSROOM, CUSTOM REQUESTED AND ON-DEMAND FORMATS. WE PROVIDE BOTH OPERATOR-FOCUSED AND INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS.
108
CLASSES DELIVERED
1,341 95%
STUDENTS
STUDENT SATISFACTION
STUDENTS ARE WILLING TO RECOMMEND BCWWA CLASSES TO OTHERS 91% 92%
STUDENTS INDICATED THE CLASSES INCREASED THEIR KNOWLEDGE
Partnerships remain a critical component of the BCWWA Education strategy Ongoing relationships with the Atlantic Canada Water & Wastewater Association (ACWWA), Manitoba Water & Wastewater Association (MWWA) and Saskatchewan Water and Wastewater Association (SWWA) help expand training opportunities to other organizations and increase our student base We continue to partner with third-party training providers to increase the selection of courses offered by the BCWWA
We also partnered with Almaquin to provide training to inmates at William Head Correctional Facility and work towards a better future for them
During the second half of 2024, we increased our roster by nine additional courses to offer a diverse range of content our learners can choose from We also delivered custom training courses to three new clients, totalling 13 custom training courses
ADMINISTERING CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL CERTIFICATION
WE ARE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BODY FOR VOLUNTARY CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL (CCC) BACKFLOW ASSEMBLY TESTER CERTIFICATION IN BC AND THE YUKON, DELIVERING MORE THAN 80+ EXAMS EACH YEAR.
598 87 54
CCC STUDENTS
COMMUNITIES WITH CCC PROGRAMS EXAMS DELIVERED
3,435
ACTIVE CERTIFIED BACKFLOW TESTERS
In 2024, CEO Lee Coonfer and CCC Senior Coordinator Corry Wong attended the BC Piping Trades articulation meetings at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the EOCP Annual Conference to engage with training stakeholders CCC Committee Co-lead Trevor Hoff and Corry Wong attended the National Cross Connection Control Committee (NCCC)’s annual meeting in Niagara Falls, ON, to ensure regional alignment with national standards The NCCC also updated its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and revised its Terms of Reference (TOR) to reflect current priorities and objectives
We published the Protecting Our Communities from Backflow Prevention report in July 2024, which contributed to public awareness and industry knowledge around the state of community CCC programs in BC This report was delivered to the appropriate provincial ministries and members of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM)
Read at bcwwa.org/site/resources/reports/protectingourcommunities
END 3
LEADERS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT OUR WATER SERVICES
TO ENSURE OUR MEMBERS REMAIN WELL-INFORMED ABOUT INDUSTRY NEWS, WE PROVIDE REGULAR COMMUNICATIONS TO MEMBERS THROUGH THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF WATERMARK MAGAZINE, OUR E-NEWSLETTER PROGRAM AND SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE.
WATERMARK MAGAZINE
4
PRINT EDITIONS OF WATERMARK MAGAZINE
1
PRINT EDITION OF THE 2025 MEMBERSHIP & BUYER’S GUIDE
3,803
SUBSCRIBERS TO WATERMARK MAGAZINE
3,114
SUBSCRIBERS TO MEMBERSHIP & BUYER’S GUIDE
SUBSCRIBERS TO WATERLINE E-NEWS
FOLLOWER GROWTH RATE ON LINKEDIN IN 2024
In 2024, we updated BCWWA’s e-newsletter program to ensure content remains timely and relevant to member interests. Waterline e-news transitioned to an industry-wide e-newsletter, resulting in a 70% increase in subscriptions from 2023.
New advocacy, engagement and outreach priorities were identified in BCWWA’s incoming 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. Some immediate steps to support these priorities, particularly during BC’s general election in October 2024, included platform letters to each campaigning party (BC NDP, BC United, BC Conservatives, BC Greens) and the distribution of a provincial election campaign kit to support members. After the election, congratulatory letters were sent to the Premier and key cabinet ministers. The BCWWA also sent congratulatory cards to all 93 MLAs in December 2024.
There was also continued marketing support for industry report releases, member networking opportunities and DEI and reconciliation initiatives. In 2024, digital and paperback copies of the Protecting Our Communities from Backflow Contamination report were released to members and stakeholders. BCWWA also communicated an update from the Drinking Water Committee on PFAS regulations in Canada and the USA to members.
BC SMALL WATER SYSTEMS COMMUNITY NETWORK
THE COMMUNITY NETWORK CONNECTS BC’S SMALL WATER SYSTEM PURVEYORS WITH PEERS, RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE IN SUPPORT OF LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY AND CAPACITY-BUILDING.
MEMBERS ON THE COMMUNITY NETWORK
EDUCATION AND ENGAGMENT WEBINARS IN 2024
The Community Network is a free web platform accessible to members, supporters and purveyors interested in being part of the small water systems community in BC. The website hosts a member directory, discussion forums, articles, resources and a community news area. Members can also communicate through an internal messaging system.
Staff continue to provide support and programming for Community Network members, including “Coffee with your Community” virtual chats, education and engagement webinars, surveys and weekly digests.
END 4
LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION IN THE WATER SECTOR IS ENCOURAGED AND PROMOTED
THE BCWWA STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS IN BC INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN WATER AND WASTEWATER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES TO GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE.
MPETITION
Four competing student teams developed exciting projects to assess the feasibility of different blue-green system typologies along West 1st Ave in the Olympic Village neighborhood in Vancouver, BC, with considerations for stormwater quality and flood management. This problem statement was provided by the City of Vancouver, the 2024 municipal sponsor.
Team Thunderbird Rainwater Solutions, comprised of Elizabeth Liu (team lead), Harshvardhan Shaw, Nicolas Cho, Benjamin Buchheit and Claire Merchant from the University of British Columbia, won the Student Design Competition and was presented with an award at the BCWWA Annual Conference & Trade Show in Whistler, BC, in April 2024 The winning team travelled to New Orleans, LA, in October 2024 to compete at the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition & Conference (WEFTEC), tying for second place
RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN THE WATER SECTOR
OUR ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE WATER AND WASTEWATER INDUSTRY AND FOR THE COMMITMENT AND SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE TO THE BCWWA.
2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE BCWWA
Stanley S. Copp Award
Trevor Hoff, Founder, MTS
EXCELLENCE IN THE WATER AND WASTE INDUSTRY
Victor M. Terry Operator Award
Arvid Bensler, Water Operator, Phantom Creek Estates/Town of Oliver
AWWA
George Warren Fuller Award
Mike Seymour, Owner, MSR Solutions Inc.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE BCWWA
Young Professionals Award
Andrew Sheroubi, Engineer, Delco Water
INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE
Excellence and Innovation in the Water and Waste Industry
Maintenance Training Systems Inc. (MTS)
Trevor Hoff and Negin Tousi
Arvid Bensler and Negin Tousi
AWWA President Cheryl Porter, Mike Seymour and Negin Tousi
Andrew Sheroubi and Negin Tousi
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ENSURING BCWWA IS A THRIVING AND SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATION
THE
BCWWA ALLOCATES SUFFICIENT AND APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO DELIVER VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO MEMBERS.
2024 ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In 2024, the BCWWA worked to refine and expand its high-quality programming and service delivery to members. This included considerable work completed on the Member Connect platform to launch its member directory and resources functionality, accessed through the bcwwa.org website. The full capability of Member Connect with community and committee functionality is expected in 2025.
We completed the feedback cycle for BCWWA’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative with the recommendation to adopt a DEI commitment statement and continue efforts toward defining DEI. A page dedicated to updates on these efforts will be available on the bcwwa.org website in 2025.
In early 2024, we began work on our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. Strategic planning is the work of BCWWA leadership and stakeholders to identify the goals, programs and services the organization should focus on for the next three years. In ensuring sufficient support for this new direction and delivery of programs and services to members, some staff responsibilities and capacities were reorganized, as reflected in the 2024 staff chart below.
2024 STAFF TEAM
Lee Coonfer
Chief Executive Officer
Sarita Gautam
Manager of Education, Training & Technology
Larissa Fellows
Member Services Coordinator
Jennifer Thorne Director of Finance
Sarah Pratt
Manager of Communication, Outreach & Engagement
Katie Patrao
Event & Member Engagement Coordinator
Angelene Fellows
Executive Assistant | Board & Committee Relations
Corry Wong
Cross Connection Control Senior Coordinator
Gagan Dhaliwal
Program Support Coordinator
Janette Blahova
Manager of Events & Networking
Claire Ross
Research Analyst & Small Water Systems Coordinator
Nima Azari-Razm and Mika Melles
Marketing & Communications Co-op
Khadija Akbar and Naz Zarandi
Marketing & Communications Co-op - Small Water Systems
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Financial Statements
December 31, 2024
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
To the Members of British Columbia Water & Waste Association
Report on the Financial Statements
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of British Columbia Water & Waste Association (the "Association"), which comprise the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2024, and the statements of changes in net assets, operations and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Association as at December 31, 2024, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations (ASNPO).
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Association in accordance with ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with ASNPO, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Association's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Association or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Association's financial reporting process.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. (continues)
Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of British Columbia Water & Waste Association (continued)
As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Association’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Association’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Association to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
As required by the Societies Act of British Columbia, we report that, in our opinion, the accounting policies applied in preparing and presenting the financial statements in accordance with Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-for-profit Organizations have been applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year.
Burnaby, British Columbia March 5, 2025 Chartered Professional Accountants
on a basis consistent with that rteredProfessionalAccountants
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Statement of Financial Position
December 31, 2024
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT
1,363,148 1,313,215 $1,922,519 $2,006,503
LEASE COMMITMENTS (Note 12)
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS (Note 13)
APPROVED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Director
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2024
$1,400,550
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Year Ended December 31, 2024
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2024
(Note 18)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
1.PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION
The British Columbia Water & Waste Association (the "Association") is a not-for-profit organization incorporated pursuant to the Societies Act of British Columbia on May 3, 1978, for furthering technical interest and education in water and waste water resources. As a not-for-profit organization, it is not subject to income taxes under section 149(1)(l) of the Income Tax Act. The Association's mission statement is to connect and empower the BC and Yukon water sector to advocate for and safeguard public health and the environment.
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation
The financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for notfor-profit organizations ("ASNPO").
Revenue recognition
The Association follows the deferral method of accounting for contributions.
Externally restricted contributions, including grants, are recognized as revenue in the year in which the related expenses are incurred. Externally restricted amounts can only be used for purposes designated by the contributor.
Unrestricted contributions, including grants, are recognized when received or receivable if the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured.
Membership dues are recognized as revenue over the term of the respective memberships. Amounts received in advance are presented as deferred revenue on the Statement of Financial Position.
Fees and sponsorships for professional development programs, including conferences, courses, workshops and seminars, are recognized as revenue when the program event or course is held or when the services are rendered. Amounts received in advance are presented as deferred revenue on the Statement of Financial Position.
Fees for research and resources, including advertising, are recognized as revenue when the related services are rendered.
Sublease rental income is recognized when the premises are occupied, which is typically at the beginning of each month.
Interest income is recognized when earned on an accrual basis.
(continues)
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
Cloud computing arrangements
The Association applies the capitalization approach to its cloud computing arrangements whereby implementation expenditures to customize and enhance software for the sole use of the Association are capitalized as intangible assets (Note 5), while subscription fees and other costs are expensed in the year in which the supply of services is provided. During the year $81,756 (2023 - $89,596) of these services were expensed and are included along with amortization of intangible assets in general and administrative expenses, with a portion allocated to other programs as detailed in Note 16
Financial instruments
All financial instruments are initially recorded at their fair market value. Publicly traded financial instruments quoted in an active market are subsequently measured at fair value with any unrealized gains or losses and transaction costs recognized in net excess of revenue over expenses. All other financial instruments are adjusted for any transaction costs incurred on acquisition and are subsequently measured at their amortized cost. Financial instrument impairments and impairment reversals are recognized when incurred in net excess of revenue over expenses.
Other than any publicly traded portion of investments in Note 6 that are measured at fair value, all other financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost, including:
Financial assets
cash
account receivable
grants receivable
interest receivable
investments (guaranteed investment certificates per Note 6) due from related party
Financial liabilities
accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Cash and cash equivalents
High interest savings mutual funds (Note 6) and similar contractual instruments that are cashable and have a maturity term of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
Investments
Investments consist of guaranteed investment certificates and high interest savings mutual funds that either do not mature within the next fiscal year, or are intended to be held to maturity and reinvested. These investments have been classified as long term assets as they will be held to satisfy future obligations of the Association that may arise as a result of applying internally restricted reserves (Note 11) against related expenses and other program outlays. Interest receivable is presented separately from the carrying value of investments on the Statement of Financial Position. See Note 6 for more information on investments. (continues)
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(continued)
Capital assets
Capital assets purchased are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated amortization. Contributed capital assets are recorded at the fair value as of the date of receipt. Capital assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis at the following rates:
Computer equipment3 years
Furniture and fixtures5 years
Equipment under capital lease4 years
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization, with any impairment in the longterm service potential to the Association recognized immediately in net excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenses. Contributed intangible assets are recorded at the fair value as of the date of receipt. Implementation costs for customized enhancements to the AMS software are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of between two - five years.
Inventory
Inventory consists of operator education manuals, which are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with the cost being determined on a first-in, first-out basis. The total cost of inventory sold during the year was $2,704 (2023 - $4,672) and is included in Education on the Statement of Operations.
Contributed services and materials
Volunteers contribute their time to assist the Association in carrying out its service delivery and governance activities. Due to the difficulty in determining their fair value, contributed services and materials are not recognized in the financial statements.
Foreign currency translation
All monetary assets and liabilities of operations denominated in currencies other than Canadian dollars have been translated into Canadian dollars at the rate of exchange in effect at the Statement of Financial Position date. Non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange rates, unless such items are carried at market, in which case they are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at the Statement of Financial Position date. The translation of assets and liabilities resulted in a gain of $3,261 (2023 - loss of $4,463) and is reflected in general and administrative expenses on the Statement of Operations.
Revenue and expense accounts are translated using a monthly average rate of exchange. (continues)
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Allocation of expenses
The Association classifies its expenses by function, including its general and administrative expenses incurred with respect to administration of programs. The Association allocates the expenses proportionately annually based upon the estimated staff time and direct costs related to each program.
General and administrative expenses includes wages and benefits, recruiting and professional development, occupancy costs, information technology, office and telephone, printing and marketing, and amortization. The allocation of these expenses to the various programs is detailed in Note 16.
Measurement uncertainty
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian accounting standards for notfor-profit organizations requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material uncertainties involving management estimates include the anticipated useful life of intangible assets, the determination of amounts to recognize as grant revenue when calculating the stages of completion for specified milestones and deliverables, and the allocation of general and administrative expenses to various programs.
The general and administrative expense allocations for wages and benefits are based on management's best estimates of the employee time spent on certain programs using evaluation of the program outputs as well as discussion with staff. The resulting staff utilization rates are also applied to the other allocated expenses on the basis that those costs are incurred to support staff work efforts and therefore are expended in a similar weighting. The determination of these utilization rates is subject to significant judgment by management and staff that results in a high degree of measurement uncertainty.
3.CREDIT FACILITY
The Association has an unsecured credit facility with Toronto Dominion Bank in the form of a credit card, up to an amount of $10,000. The credit facility bears interest at 19.99% per annum on overdue balances. The outstanding balance of the credit facility as at December 31, 2024 was $1,498 (2023$805) and the remaining unused credit facility was $8,502 (2023 - $9,195).
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
4.CAPITAL ASSETS
2024 2023 Accumulated Net book Net book Cost amortization value value
Computer equipment$52,947 $44,107 $8,840 $11,606 Furniture and fixtures46,593 44,706 1,887Equipment under capital lease10,841 10,841 -$110,381 $99,654 $10,727 $11,606
Amortization expense related to capital assets for the year of $9,372 (2023 - $16,561) is included in general and administrative expenses on the Statement of Operations.
5.INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2024 2023
Net book Net book Cost amortization value value
Association Management System ("AMS") software customization enhacements$81,000 $49,531 $31,469 $27,808
Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the year of $20,089 (2023 - $11,842) is included in general and administrative expenses on the Statement of Operations.
6.INVESTMENTS
$1,255,262 $1,295,373
The GIC’s have interest rates from 3.35% - 4.70% (2023 – 4.65% to 4.80%) and have maturity dates ranging from September 18, 2025 to October 15, 2027.
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
7. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
8.DEFERRED REVENUE
* The sublease tenant's rental deposit for last month's rent is presented separately as long term on the Statement of Financial Position.
9.DEFERRED CONTRIBUTIONS
Deferred contributions represent unspent externally restricted contributions for various projects. Opening
Received or receivable Recognized as revenue Closing balance
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
10.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
The following is a summary of the Association's related party transactions:
Related party transactions
British Columbia Section of the American Water Works Association (BC Section of AWWA) (5 of the 6 board members also serve on the Association's board to ensure adequate representation of its operating interests)
Research and resources revenue - rebates (WITAF and government affairs)
and administrative expenses (contributions to BC Section of AWWA)
These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
Due from related party
Current portion due to related party Due from BC Section of AWWA
As the balance is normally settled shortly after year-end and the Association has the power through its board representation to facilitate timely repayment, the balance is classified as a current asset on the Statement of Financial Position.
11.INTERNALLY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS
The Board of Directors and management have established internally restricted reserves for future projects, contingencies and other purposes as described below:
$1,132,000 $- $1,132,000
The Association holds sufficient investments at year-end to fund the above reserves.
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
12.LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Association has committed to an office lease running from November 1, 2018 to September 30, 2026 that was expanded in 2023 to include a second unit from December 1, 2023 to October 31, 2026.
The original lease for 247-4299 Canada Way includes a base rent of $4,755 per month totaling $231,579 for the remainder of the lease term, plus estimated operating expenses and property taxes of $5,668 per month in 2025 that will increase annually each year. This unit is currently being subleased to another organization for the remainder of the term at the same rates. The expansion to the lease for 215-4259 Canada Way includes an average base rent of $2,608 per month totaling $111,290 for the remainder of the lease term, plus estimated operating expenses and property taxes of $2,378 per month in 2025 that will increase annually each year.
Future minimum payments, before applicable GST, are anticipated to be as follows:
$342,869
The related lease expense, including estimated operating costs required by the lease, has been recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, resulting in a lease payable balance of $17,507 (2023 - $23,701), of which the current portion of $8,811 (2023 - $6,194) is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 7), and the remaining $8,696 (2023 - $17,507) balance is a long term liability.
13.CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Subsequent to year-end, the Association entered into the following contract that involves obligations and commitments for technology services related to a limited term grant project not normally inherent in the everyday operating activities:
In1Touch - AMS support for Small Water Systems project
14.REMUNERATION
DISCLOSURE
$38,520
In accordance with the Societies Act of British Columbia, the Association is required to disclose that there were six individuals and persons under a contract for services that each exceeded $75,000 of annual remuneration and were paid a total sum of $622,390.
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
15. AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
While the Association is an independent legal entity, the Association maintains strong ties to the American Water Works Association ("AWWA") and the Water Environment Federation ("WEF") whereby BC and Yukon-based members of AWWA and WEF are recognized as members of the Association.
The Association has a services agreement with the BC Section of AWWA and maintains exofficio/non-voting positions for both affiliated organizations on the BCWWA Board of Directors. The Association receives a portion of membership dues from both affiliated organizations, as well as a Water Industry Technical Action Fund (WITAF) rebate from AWWA to support projects, studies, analyses, reports and presentations in support of the Association’s government advocacy and research programs.
Transactions with the AWWA are administered through the BC Section of AWWA and are disclosed in Note 10, while all other transactions with affiliated organizations are presented below:
16. ALLOCATION OF EXPENSES
The Association proportionately allocates general and administrative expenses to each of the programs as follows:
BRITISH COLUMBIA WATER & WASTE ASSOCIATION
Notes to Financial Statements
Year Ended December 31, 2024
17.FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS RISKS
Credit risk
Credit risk arises from the potential that a counter party will fail to perform its obligations. The Association is exposed to credit risk for its accounts receivable, grants receivable, cash and investments. Exposures to credit risk and significant changes to the risk exposure from the prior year are as follows:
Accounts receivable are non-interest bearing and are generally due within 30 days of the invoice date. Management evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers and regularly reviews accounts receivable for possible impairments related to collections. Compared to the prior year, the customer base has grown in size and diversity, reducing overall credit risk exposure. However, 72% of the total accounts receivable balance is due from four customers, which increases the concentration of the Association’s credit risk over relatively few parties. Management continues to monitor this exposure to ensure timely collections and mitigate any potential financial impact.
Grants receivable has decreased 86% from the previous year serving to decrease the exposure to credit risk for the Association. Grants receivable are due from only two different grantors, resulting in a concentration of credit risk.
Cash held at year-end exceed the amounts covered by the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation, serving to increase credit risk. The Association mitigates this risk by depositing its cash with large, high quality financial institutions
Investments consist of guaranteed investment certificates and a high interest savings mutual fund held through one investment broker that exceed the Canadian Investor Protection Fund’s threshold of up to $1,000,000, resulting in a concentration of credit risk. Therefore, any financial difficulties encountered by the broker or unfavourable investment decisions could adversely affect the collectability and valuation of the investments.
Currency risk
Currency risk is the risk that the Association’s fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in foreign exchange rates due to volatility caused by external factors. The Association is exposed to currency risk and its effect on the exchange gain or loss for the year on cash held in its U.S. dollar bank account, which at year-end was $41,837 USD (2023$31,854 USD).
18.COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Some of the comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Specifically, the cash equivalents within investments are no longer grouped with cash on the Statement of Financial Position, and instead are identified in the Statement of Cash Flows and separately within Note 6.
