In this episode of What You Need to H2Know, host Michele Grenier is joined by Tom Woodcock, President of the Ontario Water Works Association and Principal & Manager of Instrumentation & Controls at R.V. Anderson Associates Limited.Tom’s journey through the water sector offers a unique perspective—starting with early involvement in the Young Professionals community and growing into a leadership role at the highest level of the association. He shares how his experience in consulting and technical specialization has shaped his approach to leadership, collaboration, and innovation across the industry.The conversation explores Tom’s path into the water sector, his progression within OWWA, and reflections on his time as President—including the initiatives, challenges, and moments he’s most proud of. Tom also discusses how OWWA has evolved over the years, the importance of engaging the next generation of water professionals, and what today’s young leaders are looking for in professional communities.Looking ahead, Tom shares his perspective on the future of Ontario’s water sector, including emerging challenges around digital systems, automation, and integration—and what gives him optimism about the road ahead.🎙️ Whether you’re commuting, on-site, or taking a break—press play and hear from a leader whose journey shows the impact of getting involved and giving back.Learn more and get involved:🌊 Register for Nextwave 2026: https://owwa.ca/event/ontarios-water-conference-trade-show-2026/📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping Ontario’s water community!

We’re back with a milestone tenth episode of What You Need to H2Know!In this episode, host Michele Grenier is joined by Sam Gagnon, Alternate Delivery Manager with North America Construction (NAC) and Chair of the OWWA Construction Committee. Sam brings a wealth of experience in collaborative and alternative delivery models, working across all phases of water infrastructure projects—from early design through construction, commissioning, and handover.Sam shares his career journey into the construction side of the water industry, what drew him to engineering, and how his experiences have shaped his perspective on successful project delivery. He also offers insights into why the industry is increasingly embracing collaborative delivery approaches and the key challenges municipalities face when delivering complex infrastructure projects.The conversation also highlights the success of the OWWA Construction Seminar—one of the association’s most anticipated events—and explores the motivation and impact behind the Construction Committee’s recent white paper on Product Procurement Methods, a valuable resource for municipal owners and project teams navigating procurement decisions.Learn more and get involved:🔧 OWWA Construction Committee: https://owwa.ca/owwa-committees/construction-committee/📄 Product Procurement White Paper: https://owwa.ca/app/uploads/2026/02/OWWA-Construction-White-Paper_Product-Procurement-Methods-R14_Shared.pdf🌊 Register for NextWave 2026: https://owwa.ca/event/ontarios-water-conference-trade-show-2026/Sam’s story underscores the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement in building resilient and effective water infrastructure systems.🎙️ Whether you’re commuting, on-site, or taking a break—press play and hear from a leader helping shape the future of construction in Ontario’s water sector.📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with the people making waves across the industry!

In this episode, we sit down with Richie Cotterill, who brings more than 20 years of experience across manufacturing, distribution, and supplier engagement in the water sector. Richie reflects on his hands-on career path, the importance of welcoming new voices into the industry, and how OWWA events and volunteerism help strengthen connections across the sector.📌 Topics covered:✅ Leadership through relationships and inclusivity✅ The value of engagement and community-building✅ Richie’s vision for a connected water sector