PEOSC Newsletter – 201 3 Issue 1 (Summer 2013) www.scarborough.peo.on.ca

Chair’s Message Madu Suthanan, P.Eng. Board of Executives 2013 Chair, Scarborough Chapter – PEO Post Name

et me first thank you, our Chair Madu Suthanan, P.Eng. Vice Chair Jega Jeganathan, Ph.D., P.Eng. L chapter members, for electing Past Chair N. Asogan, P.Eng. the Board of Executives (BOE) and Secretary Syed Raza, P.Eng me as Chair. We hope to carry on the good work done Treasurer Ranee Mahalingam, M.Eng.; P.Eng., FEC by the previous BOE and improve on our services to Executive David Dias, EIT you, and to the local community. For this we earnestly Executive Lan (Victor) Lin, P.Eng. request your participation as active volunteers where Executive Miles Mailvaganam, P.Eng. you can spare your time as well as share your skills. Executive Raji Puthurath, P.Eng.

Where you may be busy, we request at least your How to contact the board: presence at our events. Email – [email protected] . On March 23, we celebrated our 10th anniversary of the Bridge Building Competition (BBC), for grades 3 to 8 students with yet another successful event. On May 25, we were to hold the second Mechatronics Car Contest (MCC) for high school students, with the contest expanded for grades 11 and 12, in addition to the grades 9 and 10 that participated last year. However, due to the date clashing with many school projects and exams, we have postponed it to

November. We are planning a number of technical seminars from June. For our active volunteers, we are also Chapter Activities – Summary since planning training programs, which can help them with January 2013 their career advancement as well as enhance their contribution to volunteer work. We feel this training • February 23 – PEO Scarborough Chapter Annual program is something the chapter can contribute to General Meeting, Board Elections and Technical our volunteers to appreciate their contribution of Talk valuable time and skills for the chapter. Our various • March 23 – Bridge Building Competition programs are given elsewhere in this newsletter, as • May 25 – Mechatronics (Postponed) well as on our website: www.scarborough.peo.on.ca. • June 12 – Certificate Presentation Ceremony I wish to further enlarge on our request for more (CPC 2013) volunteer participation. Our volunteers are the • June 23, Seminar on “The Impact of the backbone of our chapters. Volunteering provides an Charismatic Leader” opportunity for you to participate in chapter activities, be team members and lead and join the Executives and rise in the management ladder of the chapter and Upcoming Events 2013 of PEO itself. You have a say in directing the chapter and PEO to the needs of the members. Your • Technical Seminar, July 25, 2013 volunteerism is recognized by the chapter and PEO • Annual Family BBQ, August 24, 2013 with certificates, pins and other tokens of appreciation. • Mathletics 2013 – October 05, 2013 You get a warm feeling that you belong to an • Mechatronics 2013 – TBD important segment of the community, and that you are • Aspiring Engineer Scholarship Presentation – TBD helping the community to improve, to stand-up, be • Volunteer Appreciation – TBD seen and be heard. We also welcome suggestions from you for how we can better serve you, our members. You may email us at: [email protected] Details of events can be found on the chapter website – www.scarborough.peo.on.ca

Newsletter 2013 - Issue 1 1 PEO Scarborough Chapter, The bridges were judged against the following criteria: student presentation and technical 2013 Annual General Meeting explanation, creativity, construction quality,

Syed Raza, P.Eng. construction technique and aesthetics. Following Secretary, PEOSC judging, the bridges were tested to destruction by an engineer-built load testing machine to determine the he 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PEO maximum load bearing capability. T Scarborough Chapter was held at Yee Hong Several dignitaries were in attendance, including Centre, 60 Scottfield Drive, Scarborough, on Saturday, Hon. Bas Balkissoon, MPP, Scarborough-Rouge February 23. Around 60 members and volunteers River; George Comrie, P.Eng., CMC, FEC, then Vice attended the AGM. President, PEO; Paul Acchione, P.Eng., then Vice The AGM started at 4:30 p.m. with registration, and President, Society of Professional Engineers; networking. The chapter Chair, N. Asogan, P.Eng., and Sam Sotiropoulos, Trustee, Toronto District called the meeting to order by welcoming all guests. School Board. Secretary Dr. Jega Jeganathan, P.Eng., presented the highlights of major events of 2012 in the Secretary’s report. Treasurer Murad Hussain, P.Eng., presented the audited Financial Report for the year 2012. Search Committee Chair Denis Carlos, P.Eng., dissolved the existing board and conducted the elections. The incoming Chair, Madu Suthanan, P.Eng., introduced the Board Members for 2013. All 2013 PEO election candidates were invited to attend the AGM to meet the chapter members. A number of candidates attended and presented their campaign to the members. After dinner, a presentation on “Wealth Management and Retirement Planning” was presented by Greg McElroy and Russ Hoffman, Financial Consultants – Certificate Presentation Ceremony, Investor Group. The event was concluded at 8:00 p.m. CPC – 2013 with vote of thanks by incoming Chair Madu Suthanan, P.Eng. Raji Puthurath, P.Eng. Executive Member, PEOSC

he Spring Certificate Presentation Ceremony for T the newly licensed engineers was held on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at Grand Baccus Banquet & Conference Centre, 2155 McNicoll Avenue, Toronto. Guest of Honor was Hon. , MPP Scarborough Centre, Minister for Training, Colleges and Universities. Abe Khademi, PMP, P.Eng., Senior Associate, The Municipal Infrastructure Group Ltd., provided the keynote speech.

National Engineering Month (NEM), Bridge Building Competition – 2013

Jega Jeganathan P.Eng. BBC 2013 Project Manager

he Scarborough Chapter of PEO held its 10th T Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Competition successfully on Saturday, March 23, 2013 in the Council Chamber of the Scarborough Civic Centre. This event was organized to promote awareness of The ceremony was also a good opportunity for all engineering education as a career choice among the new professional engineers within the junior students, as well as to enhance creativity and Scarborough boundaries to meet the chapter Board of team building while having fun. This year’s event Executives, and to share ideas about the involvement hosted 96 teams, approximately 250 students from the of the engineering profession in the community. public, private, and Catholic schools.

PEOSC Newsletter 2013 - Issue 1 2 actions, particularly if you are pregnant or have a child in the home that is younger than six years of age.

What should I do if the level of lead in my drinking water is greater than 10 ppb? Flush your water. Every time your water has not been used for more than a few hours, run the water until it is very cold, and then let it run for at least 1 minute. This is called “flushing” the pipes. Use cold water for cooking and Rear Row L-R: Bashir Bhana, P.Eng.; David Immanuel Alexander, drinking, even after flushing the pipes. Lead in pipes P.Eng.; Frankie Chiu Kei Man, P.Eng.; Hashem Mohammed Abul, P.Eng.; Hrand Yeghiazarian, P.Eng.; Jack Moskalski, P.Eng.; Chi moves more readily into hot water than into cold Hung Siu, P.Eng.; Wei Chung Jason Wong. P.Eng.; Ketan water, so cold water is less likely to be contaminated. Prabhudas Miyani, P.Eng.; Kulothungan Jeganathan, P.Eng.; Install a water filter. Look for filters certified by the Michael-Anthony Clarke Tedesco, P.Eng.; Mie Takahashi, P.Eng. National Sanitation Foundation that have “NSF-53 for Front Row L-R: Muktimoy Paul, P.Eng.; Nedim Oren, P.Eng.; Norman Nuo Hua Tao, P.Eng.; Raqueeb Anwar, P.Eng.; Rene lead removal/reduction” on the label. Check the NSF Antonio Siguenza, P.Eng.; Ru Min Lu, P.Eng.; Saieed Ahmed, website at: www.nsf.org for a list of NSF-53 certified P.Eng.; Sanjay Rameshku Ailani, P.Eng.; Xia Wang, P.Eng.; Ulet filters. Until you have a filter, consider using bottled Satrio Roessaptono, P.Eng.; Yong Huang, P.Eng.; Md Zohurul water for drinking and making baby formula. Hoque, P.Eng. Replace the private portion of the service line (the portion of the pipe running from your property line into Technical Article: Toronto Water your meter) and apply to have the city-owned portion Ranee Mahalingam, M.Eng., P.Eng., OMC, FEC of the water service (the portion of the pipe running from the watermain to the property line) replaced. Is my kitchen tap water safe? City of Toronto takes Applications can be made with the city for the raw water from Lake Ontario and treats it through replacement of the city-owned portion of the service chemically assisted filtration and disinfection at its four lines. water treatment plants (WTP) before distributing it to Be sure to use a filter after partial or full water its users. The WTPs are operated as per the provincial service replacement to protect from temporary legislation: Safe Drinking Water Act and associated increases in lead levels due to the disruption of the regulations. The water quality is tested continuously pipes, and to follow other precautions issued by during and after treatment and ensures its quality is Toronto Public Health. Replacement of the water within the Ontario Drinking water Quality Standard service in homes with a high lead test result and post- (DWQS). A tiny amount of chlorine is left in the water replacement actions are especially important if you to ensure its continued safety as it travels from the have children under the age of six or pregnant women treatment plant to your house. in your home, as children and pregnant women (who If there are any concerns about the quality of the can pass the lead onto their babies) are at the highest water, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health and the risk of health effects from lead exposure. Ministry of the Environment (MOE) are immediately notified and remedial actions taken promptly. You can Did you check your utility bill? The City of Toronto check MOE’s website for the city’s report card and the mails one utility bill that includes your water billing and city’s website for the annual report. your solid waste management fees. The water and sewer service portion of your utility bill pay for a The lead test result from my kitchen tap was number of services, such as the supply and delivery of greater than 10ppb. Where does lead come from? water to your home or business, water treatment The drinking water produced at Toronto’s WTPs has facilities, lead testing, water meter reading, sewer no measurable lead; in fact, it meets the MOE and use/maintenance, water meter Health Canada standards and is tested regularly for replacement/installation, service line repairs (up to the lead. Lead enters drinking water as a result of the property line). The solid waste management fees pay corrosion or the “breaking down” of lead water for garbage, recycling, green bin, litter prevention, services, pipes, lead solder or lead joints. If water is landfill management and other diversion programs. left in contact with lead materials for several hours In 2004, the water rate was $1.2295 for a cubic (e.g. overnight or when you’re away from the home meter of water and it has gone up to $2.7137 per and the water is not being used), the water may cubic meter. This is the eighth year of 9 per cent accumulate lead. If you suspect that you may have A annual hikes to generate funds to fix aging water lead service pipe, call the City of Toronto for free pipes. Despite the series of large increases, it is water testing. believed that Toronto still charges slightly less than The Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standard has other neighbouring municipalities: Vaughan, Markham set the limit of 10 ppb for lead. If you have a lead and Richmond Hill. service and your water was tested to be above the 10 ppb standard, it is recommended that you should immediately protect your health by taking the following

PEOSC Newsletter 2013 - Issue 1 3 GLP Activities at PEOSC Awards & Recognition N. Asogan, P.Eng. PEOSC GLP Chair rder of Honour Service Awards are given to Oprofessional engineers and others who have January 2013 – The then GLP Chair Urszula Adach, rendered conspicuous service to the engineering P.Eng., participated in a New Year's levee with profession. Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General Corneliu Chisu , FEC, Lorenzo Berardinetti, MPP (Scarborough P.Eng., MP for Southwest). Scarborough-Pickering, also past chair of our February 2013 – PEO Scarborough Chapter PEOSC, was admitted to Volunteers Uthayan Thurairjah, P.Eng., and Andrew the honorary society of Cheng, EIT, with N. Asogan, P.Eng., participated in PEO in the category of “Officer”. The award was Youth Career Fair, organized by Margarett Best, given to Corneliu at a Gala held in April 2013 at the MPP, to promote PEO and the chapter’s activities in Toronto Marriott hotel. the community. N. Asogan , P.Eng., past March 2013 – GLP Member Madu Suthanan, P.Eng., chair of PEOSC and Madu attended “Friends of Bas Fundraising Dinner”, a Suthanan , P.Eng., chair of fundraising event for Bas Balkissoon, MPP, PEOSC, were recognized Scarborough Rouge-River, with special guest for their five years of speaker Hon. , MPP, Kingston and volunteer services . the Islands, who is also Attorney General, Ontario. Certificates and the five- June 2013 – GLP Academy and Congress year Volunteer Service pins Scarborough Chapter was represented by Chapter were awarded at PEOSC chair and GLP Member Madu Suthanan, P.Eng., AGM 2013 by George Chapter Past Chair and GLP Chair N. Asogan, Comrie, P.Eng, then vice P.Eng., volunteers Pompilian Tofelescu, P.Eng., and president of PEO. Uthayan Thurairajah, P.Eng. ngineers Canada recognizes PEO members for Etheir volunteer services and makes them Fellows. They are also allowed to use the designation FEC after their names. This year, Engineers Canada made Ranee Mahalingam , M.Eng., OMC, P.Eng., a Fellow. A certificate and a pin were awarded at the PEOSC AGM by George

At GLP Academy and Congress: From left to right in the photo are Comrie, P.Eng., then vice president of PEO. PEO Councillor Changiz Sadr, P.Eng., PEO Councillor Rob Willson, P.Eng., Scarborough Chapter Chair Madu Suthanan, P.Eng., Raju Chander, P.Eng., a past chair of PEOSC, was Scarborough Chapter member Uthayan Thurairajah, P.Eng., Soo recognized by the Ministry of Citizenship and awarded Wong, MPP (Scarborough-Agincourt), Scarborough Chapter member Pompilian Tofilescu, P.Eng., Scarborough Chapter GLP a five-year Ontario Chair N. Asogan, P.Eng., and PEO Vice President Thomas Chong, Volunteer Service pin for P.Eng. conducting Mathletics and other events, along with June 2013 – GLP Chair N. Asogan, P.Eng., and GLP PEOSC volunteers, for Member Madu Suthanan, P.Eng., attended the Panorama India. The pin nomination function of Hon Brad Duguid, , MPP, was presented by Hon. Scarborough Centre, Minister of Training, Colleges Michael Coteau, Minister of and Universities, as the Liberal Party Candidate for Citizenship and Immigration, in the presence of Hon. Scarborough Centre. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, at a ceremony held in Markham in April 2013.

Editor: Syed Raza, P. Eng. We welcome our readers’ contributions: • Articles of engineering interest, and subjects of interest to the engineering community (within guidelines of PEO). • Suggestions for future events – seminars/technical visits/ workshops, etc. • Suggestions for improvement of newsletter/website. Contact: [email protected]; website : www.scarborough.peo.on.ca .

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