Building Futures Behind the Fence

Turning incarceration into certification, wastewater training at William Head opened doors to new skills, new confidence, and new futures

Since 2024, Almaquin Enterprises has operated the Class 3 wastewater treatment plant at William Head Institution in Metchosin, British Columbia. Managed by Correctional Service Canada, William Head is a minimum-security facility located approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Victoria. Designed with residential-style living, the institution offers educational and vocational programs that support rehabilitation and practical skill development.

Within this framework, Almaquin’s contract focuses not only on regulatory compliance and efficient facility operations, but also on mentoring inmates who wish to pursue careers in water and wastewater operations.

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The Facility and Its Operations

The William Head Wastewater Treatment Plant is a mechanical treatment system with marine outfall discharge. Plant processes are monitored and controlled through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, providing operators with real-time data, alarm management, and trend analysis.

The facility was designed to treat wastewater generated by approximately 115 staff and 150 inmates, with an average daily flow of 130 cubic metres and a maximum capacity of 450 cubic metres. Because inmate populations fluctuate, operators must regularly adjust sludge wasting and recycle rates to maintain treatment balance.

Incoming wastewater passes through headworks that include lift station pumps, macerators, grit chambers, and basket screens to remove solids and debris. Flow then enters an anoxic tank for denitrification, followed by aeration tanks where blowers supply oxygen to support biological treatment. Operators monitor dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, suspended solids, and settling characteristics to guide process decisions.

Clarification occurs in the secondary clarifier, where solids settle and clarified effluent moves toward marine discharge. Biomass is recycled via return activated sludge (RAS) pumps, while waste activated sludge (WAS) is directed to aerobic digesters for stabilization. Routine operations include daily SCADA alarm checks, grit chamber cleaning, and process testing, supported by weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance schedules.

Training at the Plant

Almaquin’s Chief Operator, Robin McLean, led the training initiative at William Head. Robin holds Level IV certifications in both water treatment and wastewater treatment and was the first operator in British Columbia to achieve that milestone. With more than 30 years of experience in wastewater treatment and infrastructure management, he combined technical leadership with a strong commitment to developing future operators.

Robin’s role extended beyond plant operations to include structured mentoring and hands-on instruction. At William Head, the Almaquin team worked closely with the facility’s Maintenance Supervisor to shape a training program that provided inmates with practical skills while introducing them to the broader water industry.

Robin’s first crew quickly embraced the challenge. One inmate emerged as a lead operator, showing a keen interest in biological processes and wastewater process troubleshooting. Their curiosity and engagement made clear the need for a formalized training pathway.

Accredited Training and Certification

To support this growing interest, Almaquin partnered with the BC Water & Waste Association (BCWWA) and the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) to deliver accredited training to inmates at William Head.

In July 2024, the first Small Wastewater Systems (SWWS) course was delivered on site. All three participants passed the EOCP exam, earning operator certification. One participant went further, successfully writing and passing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I exam.

A year later, another three inmates completed the same training, again with all participants passing. One of the original students advanced to earn a Multi-Utility Wastewater I certification.

Each of the six students completed the two-day SWWS course, earning 1.2 continuing education units (CEUs). Training exposed participants to regulatory frameworks, system design principles, and the characteristics of wastewater that influence treatment performance. Inmates gained hands-on experience with monitoring techniques, process testing, and safety procedures, with instruction emphasizing safe workplace practices such as confined space entry, WHMIS, and lockout/tagout.

Results and Reflections

In total, six inmates became certified operators through Almaquin’s mentorship at William Head. Recruitment for the operator crew even included peer-led screening. Existing inmates walked candidates through daily tasks and administered a final test, scooping grit from the headworks. Those who handled the task without hesitation demonstrated the resilience needed for the role.

The program exposed inmates to career opportunities they had never previously considered. Through Almaquin’s training, participants gained not only technical skills, but also confidence, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility. For those pursuing the profession after release, Robin provided personal references to support their next steps.

At the same time, William Head Institution benefited from improved wastewater operations and a working model that links infrastructure management with vocational training and rehabilitation.

“Over 17 months, I had the privilege of mentoring inmates who never imagined wastewater treatment could be a career. Six of them earned certification, and while the path is not for everyone, it was rewarding to watch them embrace learning and find pride in solving process challenges. Coming out of retirement to do this work was worth every moment. I am proud of them, and I will always value the time we shared in building both skills and confidence for their future.”
— Robin McLean, WT-IV, WWT-IV

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