B.C. proposes new rules for structural engineers

PROFESSIONAL

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) is considering imposing special requirements on structural engineers for buildings. A task force has suggested that engineers who act as the Structural Engineer of Record under Part 4 of the B.C. Building Code would have to register for that designation with APEGBC and take examinations or undergo a review process in order to qualify.

The proposals have been sent to structural and civil engineers for comment before they are presented at APEGBC’s annual meeting in October.

ENVIRONMENT

Quebec cleans up

Quebec Environment Minister, Paul Begin, announced late in June that the province intends to revamp its 1984 drinking water regulations. It aims to adopt a standard for turbidity that will be twice as strict as the Canadian guidelines and equivalent to the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Disinfection will be required in all public and private distribution systems, regardless of size and source.

The updated regulation will also set standards for 77 microbiological, physical chemical and radioactive substances, compared to the 46 now regulated.

Cost of implementing the new water regulation will be around $600 million. One week earlier Begin announced a five-year, $50 million “Revi-Sols” program for the remediation of brownfield sites.