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The Association of
B.C. Irrigation Districts has represented its member
districts’ water supply concerns for over 75 years. Recently,
however, organizational, and legislative changes in the water
supply industry have prompted the association to change its
name and revise its constitution to better represent the
interests of all water suppliers in B.C.
The Water Supply Association
of B.C. will represent the interests of local and regional
water suppliers by providing the following:
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 EDUCATION
To keep members up to date with changes in the
industry and to provide, training sessions for management and
staff of all members. Topics ranging from operational safety,
staff development, and legal and legislative issues. |
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GOVERNMENT LOBBYING
To preserve and protect
the long-term interests of its members, the association will
lobby government for input to legislation regarding such
issues as watershed protection and management, growth
management, and water licensing. |
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WATER SUPPLIERS REPRESENTATION
The association will help
smaller districts in dealing with organizations that
administer policies affecting those districts (e.g. B.C.
Hydro, Fortis (formerly Aquila, Utilicorp and West Kootenay Power), and
B.C.’s Ministries of Health and Community Services) |
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AFFILIATIONS WITH WATER-RELATED
ASSOCIATIONS To promote cooperation and industry-wide
understanding, the association will maintain alliances with
organizations such as the Co-Operative Committee of Water
Associations, American Water Works Association,
the B.C. Water and Waste Association, the Kelowna Joint Water
Committee and the Coastal Water Suppliers
Association. |
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ACTIVE
PARTICIPATION IN WATER SUPPLY ISSUES
The associations will continue to take part in issues
such as aboriginal claims to water rights, and the effects of chemigation and fertigation on potable water supplies.
Recently, the association has participated in B.C. Utility
Commission hearings, Aquila (formerly Utilicorp & West
Kootenay Power’s) Integrated Resource Planning Committee, the
Okanagan valley Tree Fruit Authority’s Water Management
Committee, the Fraser River Board’s Water Management
Committee, and the Okanagan College’s Fresh Water Institute,
review of Regional Growth Management Strategy and the Okanagan
Water Basin Board Visionary Workshops. |
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COMMUNICATIONS WITH MEMBERS
Newsletters and
other frequent publications will keep members informed of
association activities, issues, accomplishments, etc.
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GENERAL
INFORMATION
 The
Water Supply Association of B.C. (formerly the Association
of B.C. Irrigation Districts) was founded in 1927.
Association members now supply 45,000 irrigable acres and
36,000 domestic connections.
The
association is divided into five sections - North Okanagan, Central,
Southern.Eastern and Northern Interior. Three elected representatives from each
of the North Okanagan, Central and Southern Sections, and
one from each of the Eastern and Northern Interior
comprise the (up to eleven delegate) board, which meets at least five
times yearly. The constitution was changed a couple of years
ago to allow directors to serve 'at large' if any of the
section positions remain open. View the entire
Constitution by
clicking here.
The
association currently represents 50 water suppliers in the
Okanagan and West Kootenay regions. With the change in name
and focus, the association has established two membership
categories:
REGULAR MEMBERS – Irrigation and domestic
suppliers interested in the association’s expanded mandate,
and water suppliers that have amalgamated with
municipalities or regional districts;
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
– Consultants, individuals and companies that provide goods
or services to the water supply industry.
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To view our latest
Chairman's Report
click here |
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For
more information please contact a director in your area, or
Cheryl E. Halla, Secretary Treasurer WSABC |
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