Role of the Operator

1. Role of the Operator What we were and what are we asked to be

2. Walkerton Happened and our World Changed • At the start, if chlorine was added we were asked to take Water Treatment Certification • Now it is classed as Water Distribution • What did the operator do and how has it changed? • From Jack of all trades to a guy who is held accountable to the government and council

3. Back to School • Some of us old fossils, 30 years had passed and had lost our lunch boxes • Council said, we are spending money on you, you had better pass • Since you have passed, your our in house expert…….where do we go from here

4. Instant Expert • We, the operator, have changed from this is what we are doing----to what do you advise us to do? • This is a good thing for us. • We get to shape our world. • Think user friendly. • Look at the plant, ask to bring someone in and get it assessed

5. Direction • Boat needs the rudder and a point of destination • 10 years-20years-30years what do we want to achieve • Public Utility Board demands we are self sustainable as a utility • Look at what you have , put a life expectancy to it • Remember spending, do it once, do it right • Council still will want to buy a Pinto and expect the Cadi, so google, call other operators, investigate

6. Road Trip • We have gone to Dryden and used their SCADA • We have gone to Steinbeck and used their concept for our main sewage pumping station • We have gone to Canmore Alberta and used their grit screen ideas • We went to Xenia Ohio to look at the UV. (side note, I believe we were the first to bring this concept to Canada, but Saskatoon and Dryden have come to see it and use it.

7. The Plan • We have budgeted the money • Options RFP(request for proposal) • Design Build-one party takes it on-usually a contractor-there is a risk and the price reflects it-they hire the engineer • Design Bid Build-engineer designs-put out to tender-contractor takes it and follows it-if design is a question, there is extra cost to fix-you now have two parties if there is a problem-a lot of finger pointing and poor resolution

8. Who is accountable • The more cooks the more problems in the kitchen… • Lets look at the Bid Process-if it is engineered to specs, they better be right-bid usually means the cheapest wins-price driven • Design Build Lease Back is when the engineer builds it and has to run it- and it is turned back over to the municipality • Direct Assigned-if you have had a excellent contractor-proven track record-stands by their work-they are handed the project to build the best they can build.

9. What Has Uncle Dale Learned • First and foremost-not written down-never happened-CYA (cover your ass sets) • When you hire an engineer-they had better set time up to ask what do the operators want again look at first comment again-not written, never happened • If possible-buy local-local reps-local parts-have input in the design requesting this

10. Continue to Learn • Remember this is YOUR building YOU have a say • If it is a Process Plant the lead engineer had better be Process man • If you have chosen an engineering company because of one engineer, request their hours, and that even if they leave the company they finish the project

11. There Is More • Look at number of hours of the major engineer that it is not all on the tail end to fix the screw-ups • Collect every document, don’t sign off till it works • Have a filing system to record what and when and by who • If there is a verbal conversation, it is emailed and recorded

12. Am I Ranting? • Write in contract-user friendly-less time and effort to run • All major changes to be brought to your attention and highlighted after project begins • Hold involved people accountable, document, document, document • Be aware of safety concerns

13. No Brainers • If you take your car to a mechanic and he forget to put the oil in-don’t do it twice • Tell anyone who will listen-cheapest is not the best-I’m going to have heart surgery and found him on Kijiji • All basins need a drain pit • Did I happen to mention-If it is not written down…….never happened

14. Remember • At the end of the project have a meeting and make recommendation for the future tender/projects for your municipality • Grade yourself and the project • If something failed-what-why-correction made • We all make mistake, the trick is to get some parties to admit to it, step up and fix it • For me, I believe in people, ask if he or she has a dog, go and watch, if the dog doesn’t come when called walk away, if even the dog doesn’t believe them maybe you shouldn’t either.

15. The End • Learn form your victories as well as your defeats • Leave the ego at the door-share what you have learned • Martin Luther King said, our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. • Leave the world, your place of employment better than you found it.