b'OSWCA PRESIDENTS MESSAGEADDRESSINGA KEY ISSUEJEFF MULCOCK,M y prime reason for joiningimmediately beneficial for the sewer and PRESIDENTOSWCA many years agowatermain industry as approval for a water-was that I felt stronglytaking permit immediately moved from about how the provincesthree months to three minutes. regulations around the Permit to Take WaterFURTHER CHANGES PROPOSED at the time were nega- Although the Ministry was sceptical of the tively affecting our industry and even themove at first, it has, after five years, come to company for which I work, here in Ottawa.realize that it was the right move. So, it has This was an issue brought to the OSWCAdecided in 2020 to push this event further. by the National Capital Heavy Construction Association due to significant issues that we were experiencing here in the field. Now, the Ministry is proposing to exempt all surface water dewatering from the OSWCA has long held that it is importantPermit to Take Water process. Now, the to differentiate between water taking (i.e.,400,000 litres per day limit will focus only water bottling plant) and water movingon groundwater pumping. (i.e., construction site dewatering), as a strict regulatory regime over the latter doesThe Ministry is also allowing for multiple not further environmental outcomes andpits to be registered on the EASR can cause huge delays on jobsites. This was,and to be dewatered independently. and remains, a key issue for OSWCA.Rather than having a single permit for an entire site, now multiple permits Back in 2015 after years of lobbying work,can be registered for a single site, with the Ministry of the Environment put ineach registration allowed to pump up to place new regulatory changes to revise the400,000 litres per day. Permit to Take Water process. As a result, in 2015 the Ministry moved the pumping Further beneficial changes are being of surface water and groundwater fromproposed for active and passive diversions jobsites (particularly excavations) onto anaround jobsites, well developments, and online registry when pumping amountedpumping tests.to less than 400,000 litres per day. This was LONG-TERM LOBBYING All these changes regarding the Permit to Take Water are a direct result of OSWCAs ALL OF THESE CHANGESlong-term lobbying efforts. This advocacy is an example of how your Association is working proactively to make your day-to-REGARDING THE PERMIT TOday operations on a construction site easier. TAKE WATER ARE A DIRECTAdvocating for our members interests is the backbone of our Association. The Permit to Take Water example illustrates how OSWCA RESULT OF THE LONG- advocates for us, and why I feel that your membership and Industry Fund contribu-TERM LOBBYING EFFORTStions are so important to our sector.We need to hear from you, our members THAT YOUR ASSOCIATIONabout ongoing or evolving issues and how they affect your business. Please call or email our office; we are here to help you. HAS UNDERTAKEN Together, we are strong. 8 H 2 OSWCAFall 2020'