PrZen/33270593

BURNABY, British Columbia - Sept. 13, 2018 - PrZen -- The Corporate Recognition Award is presented to an organization that shows an outstanding commitment to safe drinking water and wastewater management in British Columbia and/or Yukon.

Interior Health (IH) was created in 2002, and since then conducted a number of evaluations and assessments of the state of drinking water safety and actions to protect public health.  In 2018 IH engaged and informed local leaders to raise awareness of water system safety and critical hazards and vulnerabilities, followed by a media campaign to promote clean, safe, and sustainable drinking water for everyone.  Amongst its initiatives are constructing an enhanced interactive map to view real-time drinking water advisory information across its region, as well as a dedicated website drinkingwaterforeveryone.ca  Whilst the successes of IH in this area are due to a team effort, one individual deserves special mention: Ivor Norlin, the Manager of Drinking Water, who is a respected leader and visionary of this work.

"As a former colleague of Ivor Norlin, I can vouch for his leadership in all things drinking water and beyond.  He is a true advocate for drinking water throughout BC.  The path hasn't been easy for IH as drinking water issues can be controversial.  However, Ivor has prevailed with his methodical approach to the pressing and sensitive issues resulting in more communities having clean, safe and reliable drinking water.  This success continues in part due to Ivor's continued assessment of their Drinking Water Program goals and deliverables to better serve the interest of public health." - Rob Fleming, Utility Services Supervisor, City of Kamloops.

The EOCP (www.eocp.ca) was the first organization in Canada to implement an Operator certification and facility classification program in Canada in an effort to better protect public health and the environment.  Fifty-two years later, the EOCP continues to grow, work with its stakeholders, and evolve, ensuring that the needs of Operators and employers are met.

The EOCP's membership provides safe drinking water and wastewater management to more than 4.2 million people across British Columbia and Yukon.