What You Need to H2Know

Ontario Water Works Association

Explore the people, projects, and innovations shaping Ontario’s water community. Hosted by Michele Grenier of OWWA, What You Need to H2Know brings expert insights and inspiring stories from across the province’s water sector.

  1. JAN 30 · BONUS

    What You Need To H2Know - From Strategy to Influence: Building OWWA’s Advocacy Roadmap

    Welcome to a special episode of What You Need to H2Know, the podcast that highlights the people, places, and projects shaping Ontario’s water community. This episode, From Strategy to Influence: Building OWWA’s Advocacy Roadmap, focuses on advocacy, policy, and government relations within Ontario’s drinking water sector.Host Michele Grenier, Executive Director of the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA), is joined by Deborah Goudreau, Manager of Plant Operations with the City of Hamilton and an OWWA Board Member and AWWA Director for the Ontario Section. She is also joined by Christina Marciano, Vice President and Environment Practice Group Lead, and Faria Amin, Associate in Environment, both from Sussex Strategy Group.Together, they discuss why advocacy has become a strategic priority for OWWA, how the organization approached its advocacy audit, and what it means to move toward a more intentional and coordinated government relations strategy. The conversation explores the evolving policy environment, the value of advocacy for OWWA members, and how clear priorities and consistent messaging help strengthen the sector’s collective voice.Listeners will also hear insights into career paths in government relations, key themes that emerged from the advocacy audit, and what success looks like as OWWA works toward its 2026 goals.Whether you are curious about how advocacy works behind the scenes or want to better understand how OWWA is representing the interests of Ontario’s drinking water sector, this episode offers practical insight and forward-looking perspective. 💧👉 Learn more about OWWA’s advocacy and policy work at owwa.ca

    41 min
  2. 11/17/2025

    What You Need To H2Know Episode #7- Dillon Occleston

    In this episode of What You Need to H2Know, we’re joined by Dillon Occleston, Chair of the OWWA Manufacturers and Associates Council (MAC) and Regional Market Lead at Greatario, where he supports municipal water infrastructure through custom tank and cover solutions. With over a decade of experience in the Canadian water sector, Dillon has developed a deep passion for building strong industry relationships and championing collaboration between service providers, utilities, and municipalities.We’ll dive into his career journey—from how he got into the water industry to the role that OWWA has played in his professional growth. Dillon shares insights on how he got involved with the MAC Committee, what it's like to serve as Chair, and why volunteering has been such a rewarding experience. Plus, he reveals his favourite OWWA event, the projects he’s most proud of, and the exciting initiatives coming up through MAC and Greatario.You'll also hear fun personal stories, unconventional advice, and a few rapid-fire questions to wrap things up with energy and personality. Whether you're new to the industry or a long-time OWWA member, this conversation is packed with inspiration, leadership insights, and a reminder of the power of community in Ontario’s water sector.📧 To connect with Dillon, reach out at: DOccleston@Greatario.com🔗 For more information on the NextWave program, visit: https://owwa.ca/event/ontarios-water-conference-trade-show-2026/

    33 min

About

Explore the people, projects, and innovations shaping Ontario’s water community. Hosted by Michele Grenier of OWWA, What You Need to H2Know brings expert insights and inspiring stories from across the province’s water sector.