June 7, 2004
The Canadian Association on Water Quality (CAWQ) is an organization of scientists, engineers, technologists, administrators and students engaged or interested in research on water quality or in the control or treatment of water pollution.
CAWQ is committed to ensuring its members right to privacy. The following privacy policy will be posted on our website and included in our by-laws.
- The CAWQ considers personal information to be any information that can be used to distinguish, identify or contact a specific individual. In the case of internal communications, where an individual uses his or her home contact information as business contact information, the contact information provided is regarded as business contact information, and is not subject to protection as personal information (e.g., for purposes of producing lists of members and the Board of Directors).
- The CAWQ will advise individuals of the purpose of any information collected, what the information will be used for and to whom the information is going to be disclosed. Information collected will be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified. The CAWQ will not use this consent for additional purposes that may arise in the future. However, consent will be presumed when utilizing the information to meet our obligations as an association; e.g., communicating directly with our members. Any mechanisms for obtaining consent will be obvious when the information is to be disclosed, and will be immediately available and easy to use.
- The CAWQ will obtain appropriate consent from individual members.
- The CAWQ will strive to maintain personal information accurate, complete and up-to-date. Upon request, an individual shall be provided with access to their information. All requests to view information collected by CAWQ will be referred to the Privacy Officer. Any requests to view personal information collected through other means must be made in writing to the CAWQ Secretary. A written response will be provided within seven (7) business days.
- The CAWQ has appointed a Privacy Officer to whom any questions or concerns regarding compliance with this policy should be directed. Should an individual’s concerns not be addressed satisfactorily, the complainant should send a letter to the President of the CAWQ, outlining the concerns and steps taken to resolve the situation to date.
Information collected by CAWQ
The CAWQ maintains a database of its membership and subscribers to the Water Quality Research Journal of Canada (WQRJC). The membership database is updated on an annual basis. As a provider of continuing education sessions through its symposia and as publisher of the WQRJC, CAWQ collects information from registrants and exhibitors, purchasers of CAWQ publications, presenters, and individuals seeking information on membership.
All information collected by the CAWQ is stored in a secured location.
The CAWQ does not loan or rent membership contact information.
CAWQ Website
The CAWQ website may automatically record some general information about visitors, such as type of browser and operating system used, Internet domain for the Internet service provider, and date and time of visit, web pages visited, along with the address of the previous website, if linked to www.CAWQ.ca from another website.
This tracking system does not record personal information about individuals or link this information to any personal data collected.
Use of Internet “Cookies”
CAWQ may use “cookies” that identify return visitors. A cookie is a piece of data that a website can send to a browser, which may then store the cookie on the hard drive. This allows return visitors to receive information tailored to their individual preferences. The purpose is to save time, provide return visitors with a more meaningful visit and to measure website security.
“Cookies” do not contain any personally identifying information. Web browsers such as Netscape and Internet Explorer allow users to disable cookie collection, if desired, or be advised when a cookie is being stored on a hard drive.
Information Collected by Third Parties
The CAWQ may receive or transmit membership information from organizations including its parent organization (the International Water Association) and those that have been designated as partner organizations by the Board of the CAWQ. Membership information will be used in a manner that is in compliance with the privacy policies of the CAWQ and the partner organization and with current legislation restricting use of such information. The CAWQ concurs that this information will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided.
The CAWQ website contains links to other sites, and once users link to another site, they become subject to the privacy and security policies of the new site. The CAWQ encourages users to read the privacy policies of all websites they visit, especially if they choose to share any personal information.
Please note that currently the CAWQ does not utilize encryption software but is planning to use it in a not too distant future. Therefore, we are currently unable to ensure that information sent by individuals via e-mail is secure from third parties.
How CAWQ Utilizes Collected Information
In addition to informing our members about pertinent information in the sector, CAWQ uses the information it collects for marketing purposes and statistical purposes, e.g., to advise/remind members and non-members of selected upcoming events and activities.
Information for statistical analysis – CAWQ may disclose non-personal information to third parties such as conference sponsors or advertisers and/or use the information for auditing purposes or increasing the usefulness of services.
Opting Out
CAWQ recognizes that its members may wish to limit use of personal information after that information has been provided. Opting out must be done in writing. No verbal requests can be accepted. Members who wish to be excluded from certain activities should contact the Privacy Officer of the CAWQ.
Permission
By completing a CAWQ membership application form, you are consenting to the collection and use of the information provided. If you have “opted out”, this optout clause pertains to information received by CAWQ.
Changes to the Privacy Policy
If CAWQ changes its Privacy Policy, the changes will be posted on our website and integrated in the By-Laws.
For more information please contact the Privacy Officer or Secretary of CAWQ.