Drainage - Sessions

The 2022 Drainage Engineers Conference is now over. Visit our Conference Home page for updates on this year's event.

2022 Drainage Engineers Conference Program and Schedule

*Please note the Drainage Practitioners Meeting will be held virtually on a separate date. Connect directly with the committee.

Speakers

Michelle Robinson | Water Resources Engineering Student, University of Guelph

University of Guelph water resources engineering student Mistaya Langridge was the recipient of the 2022 Professor Ross W. Irwin Scholarship. This scholarship was provided in memory of Prof. Irwin by the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario for students actively involved in water conservation issues and demonstrating academic excellence.

Michelle Robinson will briefly explain her studies and future plans.

Indira Naidoo-Harris | Associate Vice President, Diversity & Human Rights, University of Guelph

In the face of unprecedented global challenges, it is imperative that our governments, institutions, organizations, and communities work together to find innovative solutions. Tackling today’s most complex problems to arrive at the right solutions requires decision-making tables that include a diverse set of perspectives, experiences, ideas, and voices in order to build a strong path forward for everyone.

As the Associate Vice-President of Diversity and Human Rights at the University of Guelph, Indira Naidoo-Harris highlights the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within Canadian institutions, describes how to embed these principles into our systems and daily lives, and encourages the prioritization of EDI in the development of innovative solutions to meet the rising challenges of today and tomorrow. 

Mari Veliz | Healthy Watersheds Manager, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, and Kelli Smith | Conservation Lands Specialist, St. Clair Region Conservation Authority

Through a focus on soil health, cover crops, and rural storm water management, local communities and partnering agencies collaborate to improve nearshore and tributary water quality along the south-east shore of Lake Huron. This effort was branded Healthy Lake Huron in 2011. Since this time, local people and agencies have supported demonstration projects, including the evaluation of best practices at the watershed-scale.

This presentation will summarize results from past studies and promote the use of the Drainage Act as a tool to incorporate natural infrastructure along Municipal Drains. We look forward to sharing past successes (and challenges!) as we work towards the shared goals of improved water quality, building watershed resiliency, ensuring economic prosperity and healthy communities.

Tim Brook | Drainage Program Coordinator, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

This presentation will focus on the interconnection between the engineer's report and the grant application under the Agricultural Drainage Infrastructure Program (ADIP). The ADIP grant process for construction and improvement projects under the Drainage Act involves the extensive review of the engineer’s report in combination with the grant application and other supporting documentation. As partners in the grant process, OMAFRA, municipalities, drainage superintendents and engineers all have important roles to play.

This presentation will highlight some of the areas where OMAFRA has needed to seek clarification prior to processing the grant. It will describe items that can be addressed/included in the engineer’s report to allow for a quick and smooth grant review by OMAFRA.

Chris Lompart | Manager, Land Use Policy, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

An overview will be provided on how the Excess Soil Regulation applies to drain construction and maintenance.

Chris has been with the Ministry for more than 20 years and has worked on environmental policy development for over 25 years in the public and non-government sectors. Chris has spent much of that time working on brownfields redevelopment and excess soil policy as well as environmental planning and land use planning-related legislation, regulations, and policy.

Michael LeClair | Senior Data Analyst, AMG Environmental

This presentation will be an overview of my company (AMG Environmental) with a special focus on the importance of monitoring rainfall through the use of flow monitors for storm sewers and/or rain gauges. I will also discuss some of the important water quality parameters and the technology associated with accomplishing that.

Tim Dick | Director of Drainage, Asset and Waste Management, Municipality of Chatham-Kent

The presentation will chronicle the creation and experiences of the Drainage Board. Tim
began his municipal career in 1988 with the former City of Chatham and worked in several positions within the engineering department. In 1995, he became the Works and Drainage Superintendent for the Township of Chatham, remaining in this position until 1998 when the amalgamation of Chatham-Kent took place.

The amalgamation merged 23 former municipalities into one new, single tier entity. Tim became the first Manager of Drainage for the new municipality. In 2003, his role changed to Director of Drainage, Environmental and Fleet and in 2007, Director, Drainage, Asset and Waste Management.

Since 1995, one of Tim's primary responsibilities has been municipal drainage. During the tenure of Chatham-Kent beginning in 1998, all matters of drainage have been handled by a council appointed "Drainage Board" which was the first of it's kind in Ontario and was authorized through private member's bill P R 19. 

2022 Drainage Conference Exhibitors