The Walkerton Clean Water Center is an educational and research institute dedicated to
ensuring that training and information concerning drinking water quality and treatment is
available and accessible to owners and operators of Ontario's drinking water systems.
Obtaining appropriate operator training is among the many challenges facing small
systems throughout North America. The Walkerton Clean Water Center, which is an
agency of the Government of Ontario, has a special focus on small and remote
communities. Established in 2004, the Center features a state-of-the-art technology
demonstration facility, providing a unique opportunity for hands-on training and serving
as a practical resource for operators and other water professionals. The Center
operates two mobile training units which are outfitted with basic equipment for
delivering hands-on, on-site operator training for those not easily able to reach
traditional training facilities. A third mobile training unit is currently under construction
and should be operational in late 2009. This presentation describes the mobile training
units and various other Walkerton Clean Water Center training initiatives. The emphasis
is on the challenges of delivering quality training to small systems and the success of
the Center at delivering these programs. Includes figures.