Started in 2005 by Robert Buehler and Murray McDowall
Robert Buehler ñ Known for his expertise in potable water protection and business acumen, Robert holds a number of executive positions in the backflow prevention and plumbing industries. In fall of 2008, Robert was appointed President of the Ontario Backflow Prevention Association, which focuses on building awareness of, and providing education for, cross connection control and backflow prevention throughout the province. Robert was elected Vice President of the Ontario Backflow Prevention Association in 2006, a position he held for two years prior to becoming the association's President. Robert is President of ProActive Water Solutions Inc., a fast-growing and respected provider of water quality assurance services. Robert is a resident of Toronto, Ontario.
Murray E. McDowall BCIN 35862 - Well established as a Certified Cross Connection Control Specialist, Licensed Master Plumber, and a registered plumbing systems designer. Murray also holds positions such as Director-Ontario Backflow Prevention Association, Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) Cross Connection Control Committee member, and is a member of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment's Cross Connection Control Working Group. As Chair of an OWWA sub-committee, Murray worked tirelessly on the development of the National Surveyors Certification Course; a course which finally establishes the minimum standard and expectations of all active Canadian cross connection surveyors. In addition to working with backflow preventers for 20 years, Murray has become the driving force behind ProActive's thirst for knowledge and is the "Go-To" person in terms of potable water protection. Coupled with his ongoing technical and educational achievements, Murray maintains ProActive on the leading edge of all backflow prevention, and plumbing related developments, in Ontario today.
ProActive Water Solutions provides third-party testing, consulting, and design services for corporations such as Imperial Oil, Weston Bakeries, Unilever, Canada Bread, and Toys R Us, among many others. We openly provide our unique services to the largest manufacturers, food processors, pharmaceutical firms, and municipalities in Ontario, right down to the smallest "mom & pop" commercial operations. When installing contractors are ordered to get a backflow preventer tested and certified, who do they call? Us. Because we'll always be there to get them out of a bind, and get the job done. ProActive is everything backflow-related under one roof. We've always been dependable and successful in providing comprehensive backflow programs and water protection services to all of our clients.
History of our creation
Scarborough identified the need for third party testing and made it mandatory for all of their buildings. At that same time the City of North York's plumbing inspectors were active in premise isolation inspection.
Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke had backflow by-laws in effect, and when Metro amalgamated with them into the City of Toronto, the backflow by-laws were dropped.
We knew the day would come when the need for backflow regulations would be reinstated. The problems in Walkerton, Ontario in addition to the Guelph and Stratford incidents, led to municipalities drafting and bringing into law such regulations. It was only to be a matter of time.
The O.B.P.A.'s membership has been a constant, with more and more businesses and individuals interested in protecting the water supply. Simply out of knowledge; this is a good and necessary system. The requirements and regulations for these systems have been in place for decades.
