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ROTARY MOMENT:
Past President Dave Andrews on Rotary's Water and Sanitation Month
In October 2015, the Board of Directors of Rotary International modified Rotary's calendar of special observances to designate specific months highlighting Rotary's 6 Areas of Focus. They made this month, March, Water and Sanitation Month and asked Rotarians world-wide to foucs on this important area of service.
In the March District 7070 Newsletter, you were asked:
“What Is your Rotary Club doing to focus on Water and Sanitation in March 2016?”
As you have heard many times before, Clean water is a basic need for human beings. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. However, at least 3,000 children die each day from diseases caused by unsafe water.
That is what motivates our members to build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new infrastructure. While very few people die of thirst, millions die from preventable waterborne diseases, providing the impetus for our members to also improve sanitation facilities in undeveloped countries.
Members start by providing toilets and latrines that flush into a sewer or safe enclosure and then add education programs to promote hand-washing and other good hygiene habits.
What have we done?
The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood has joined forces with the Norma Davis and Jackie Scroggie of the Rotary Club of Toronto Eglinton, and 13 other Rotary Clubs in Southern Ontario and thru Rotary Foundation grants have really made a difference :
The Rift Valley Water and Sanitation Project was started in 2002 by the late John Mbugua of the Rotary Club of Nakuru along with the support of the Rotary Club of Summerland B.C. Some of you may remember that John came to our Rotary Club as our guest speaker.
To date, thanks to Rotary Clubs, over 5,000 rainwater harvested water tanks have been built, bringing a lifetime supply of clean water to about 30,000 people; the project is being managed by the Rotary Club of Nakuru, in Kenya.
Today, with the assistance of the same Rotary Clubs right here in souther Ontario, 6 schools in the Nakuru area of Kenya, are in the process of receiving a complete WASH system.
WASH stands for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene):
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VIP Pit latrines for boys and for girls
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30,000 Litre rain water harvesting tank to provide clean water for drinking and cleaning latrines
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Hand washing stations
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Student Health Clubs
And this is just one such project that Rotary Clubs worldwide are undertaking to help provide clean water to the world.
Dave encouraged you to read more about what Rotary is doing in the world in this most important area of focus:
Please got to the rotary.org website.
Just google ABOUT ROTARY'S WORK WITH WATER AND SANITATION
Be sure to check out the Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group called WASRAG for short. Just google WASRAG
And please go to the Rotary Showcase and look at more Rotary projects for clean water. Just google: Rotary Showcase and water
Perhaps you can find another water project for our Rotary Club by going to Rotary Ideas . Just google: Rotary Ideas and water project
And if you still want to know more, Rotary has a Manager for Water and Sanitation at R I headquarters . Just google Rotary areas of focus staff
All available for all of you to see at myrotary.org
So when someone asks what are YOU doing about clean water and sanitation , you can tell them that you are a very proud member of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER:
JOHN PRESTA Director of Environmental Services for the Region Of Durham.
Introducer: Linda Porritt
In honour of March being Water and Sanitation Month all over the world, Linda Porritt asked John Presta to be our speaker .
John Presta is the Director of Environmental Services with the Regional Municipality of Durham’s Works Department. Under his leadership, there is 327 staff which focuses on water supply and sanitary sewerage services in the following areas: 1) Infrastructure planning & studies; 2) Design & project management; 3) Plant operations; 4) Technical support & Regional Environmental Lab; 5) Compliance .
The Region provides water services to just over 600,000 residents and businesses in eight municipalities. The infrastructure value in assets is approximately $ 7.6 Billion. John has been Chair of the Professional Engineers of Ontario in the Lake Ontario Chapter and is currently a Director on the Water Environment Association of Ontario board.
John's Remarks:
John described the growth of the Water and Sewer systems in our Region and the Value of the Plant. The replacement cost for the system is something like $7.6 billion. Problems that exist are particularly the aging infrastructure and the Capital Costs. They are being met head on on an annual basis. There are many long standing problems and the variety of types of Water Supply pipes and Sewer pipes involve complex issues such as the variety of materials that the Infrastructure is made of. It is noted that Regulatory requirements drive the need to replace and repair.
How much are we paying for Water and Sewers? $1.00 to $4.00 per day for all of us. The Region provides water services to just over 600,000.customers.in eight municipalities. And expected to grow to 1.2 million by 2020.
Durham Region, and all of Ontario, is home to some of the best tap water in the world. The Region of Durham, Works Department treats and distributes safe drinking water across the Region in the most cost-effective way to its customers. Municipal water and sanitary sewer services are 100 per cent rate-supported. They are not funded by property taxes. About 95 per cent of Durham's municipal tap water comes from Lake Ontario. The rest comes from underground sources and Lake Simcoe. The water is processed through a sophisticated system and is tested daily to ensure it is safe to drink. Durham's municipal water plants are continuously monitored by Regional staff and inspected by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
A secure, clean supply of water is one of the many benefits of living in Ontario, and did you know that drinking tap water also saves you money? A typical 355-millilitre bottle of water costs, on average, $2 from a vending machine. Municipal water from a tap in Durham Region is delivered at only a fraction of that price: less than one cent per litre.
Ensuring a clean, safe supply of water is complicated and costly. Water conservation is important to protect this important and limited resource, and can help to extend the life of Durham's municipal water infrastructure. However, there are fixed and planned expenses associated with treating and distributing water and sewage across Durham, which remain the same, regardless of the amount of water used.
These costs support the entire system needed to supply water or treat sewage now and in the future:
Operations: Almost 90 per cent of the operating costs for water supply and sanitary sewerage are fixed services such as maintenance, construction, facilities and staff. These costs are fixed and do not change regardless of how much water is used.
Safety: In 2006, after the Walkerton tragedy, the Ontario government passed many new regulations to protect drinking water. Some of the user rate increases are directly related to the increased operating costs resulting from these new regulations. To protect the health of those who live, work and play in Durham Region, it is important to maintain these systems. Not maintaining the systems would put the Region at risk for large fines from the Ministry of the Environment, water service interruptions to our customers or even threaten the quality of drinking water.
Growth: Durham Region's population is forecasted to double within 20 years. The need for new water supply plants and upgrades to Durham's aging municipal water supply system is inevitable. Through water conservation, the Region can delay building some new plants and prevent costly modifications to existing water supply plants. However, these capital program increases related to replacement and growth will eventually be required as the water and sewer infrastructure ages. In the long run, water conservation is important as it allows the resources to be used in the most cost-effective manner.
Debt: Another factor which affects the water and sanitary sewer user rate is the debt repayment increases, related to recent major plant construction (such as the Courtice Water Pollution Control Plant). These new and expanded plants are necessary to meet regulatory and replacement needs for water and sewer systems
For a good look at the services provided by the Region of Durham's Water Department, go to:
http://www.durham.ca/works.asp?nr=/departments/works/water/waterinside.htm
Thanked By: President Mike McLaren
PRESIDENT MIKE'S QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
He quoted from an email that he received today and wanted all of us to hear it: “I am Vive President of Hang Seng bank. I have important Matter to Discuss with you cencrening my late client that shares the same last name as yours, Died without a NEXT OF KIN. Send me your private email for full details information. Email me at E-mail: (draymndch8@yahoo.co.jp). Regards Mr.Fung”
President Mike says and he ha some water to sell me too.
Always remember: The “ideal of service” is the key. It is an attitude that does not change from one version to the next. It is an attitude and passion we all have, as Rotarians.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Past President and this year's Secretary Bob Koski has a Rotary International Directory of all Rotary Clubs in the world, when and where they meet. Or you can go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Bob Koski, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.
HERE’S A LIST OF SOME ROTARY CLUBS CLOSE TO YOU.
Please check the club website to make sure their location and time has not changed:
MONDAY:
Belleville – Ramada Inn – 11 Bay Ridges at Hwy 2 - 12:00 noon
Oshawa – Jubilee Pavillion Banquet Centre, 55 Lakeview Park Ave, Oshawa – 12:10 pm
Markham-Unionville – Al Dente Ristorante, 39 Main St.N., - 6:30 pm
Port Hope – Knights of Columbus Hall, 1 Elias St., – 6:00 pm
Richmond Hill – Sheraton Parkway Hotel, 600 Hwy 7 East, – 6:00 pm
Trenton – Holiday Inn – 99 Glen Miller Rd. at 401 - 6:00 pm
TUESDAY:
Whitby – Whitby Central Library, 405 Dundas St W - 7:00 am
Pickering – Bollocks, 736 Kingston Rd, Pickering – 7:00 am
Bowmanville – Trinity Church Hall, 116 Church St. – 7:15 am
Picton – Royal Canadian Legion, 347 Main St., - 12:15 pm
Scarborough Bluffs – Loblaw’s Superstore (upstairs) – 1775 Brimley at Progress – 7:15 am
Scarborough – Scarborough Golf Club – Golf Club Rd. – 12:30
Scarborough Twilight – The Olde Stone Cottage – 3750 Kingston Rd. - 5:30 pm
WEDNESDAY:
Whitby-Sunrise – Royal Oak Pub, Whitby Shores, 617 Victoria St W – 7:00 am
Markham Sunrise – Delta Markham Hotel – 50 East Valhala Dr., Hwy 7 east of 404 – 7:00 am
Northumberland Sunrise – Ashbrook Golf Club – 7215 Dale Rd, Port Hope - 7:00 am
North Scarborough – Delta Toronto East – 2035 Kennedy Rd, Scarborough – 12:30 pm
Port Perry – Sunnybrae Golf Club, 1430 King Street, Port Perry, ON , – 6:15 pm
THURSDAY:
Ajax – (First Thursday of the month) at Public Library, 55 Harwood Ave S., – 12:15 pm
Ajax – rest of the month - McEachnie Family Centre, 20 Church Street North, NorthWest Corner Hwy 2 & Church - 7:30am
Agincourt – 6:30 pm at Rotating locations. Please contact Ron - rdhinchliff@gmail.com to verify location.
Quinte Sunrise – Bay of Quinte Golf Club, 1830 Old Hwy 2, – 7:00 am
Uxbridge – Jersey’s, 104 Brock St W. – 7:00 am
FRIDAY:
Toronto – Royal York Hotel, 100 Front St, – 12:15
Cobourg – Best Western Cobourg Motor Inn, 930 Burnham Rd. at Hwy 2 – 12:15
Courtice – White Cliffe Terrace, 1460 Hwy 2 – 7:15 am
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