Team
Carl Yates
Interim CEO, Atlantic First Nations Water Authority Inc.
Carl Yates has extensive experience in the water utility profession having served as Project Engineer, Chief Engineer and General Manager of the Halifax Water Commission from 1988 to 1996. In 1996, he was appointed General Manager of the Halifax Regional Water Commission [Halifax Water] which assumed a regional mandate after municipal amalgamation of the greater Halifax area in 1996. In 2007, Mr. Yates oversaw the formation of the first regulated water, wastewater and storm water utility in Canada with the transfer of wastewater and storm water assets from the Halifax Regional Municipality. After retirement from Halifax Water in July 2019, he formed his own consulting company, Yates Water Management, to promote and support sustainable water management. In June 2020, Mr. Yates was appointed as the interim Chief Executive Officer for the Atlantic First Nations Water Authority which was formed to provide water and wastewater services to First Nations communities in the Atlantic region. The AFNWA represents an innovative approach for First Nations in their pursuit of self–determination and reconciliation with the government of Canada and find a sustainable solution to pressing water and wastewater problems.
Mr. Yates obtained a Bachelor of Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1984 and a Master of Applied Science from the Technical University of Nova Scotia (now Dalhousie University) in 1992. He previously served as Director of the Water Research Foundation[WRF]with roles as Chair of the Research Advisory Council and Focus Area Council, and Chair of Canada’s National Research Council InfraGuide Potable Water Committee. He currently serves as the Chair of the Canadian Water Network, Board Member of the Alliance for Water Efficiency, and Director of Operators without Borders.
Under his leadership, Halifax Water received the FCM Sustainable Community Award in the water category in 2005 for innovation in water loss control, the CSCE Excellence in Engineering Innovation Award in 2014 for advances in pressure management, WRF Outstanding Subscriber Award in 2018 for research contributions to the water industry, and the Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor Award for Engineering Excellence in 2019.
Mr. Yates received the AWWA George Warren Fuller Award in 2010 for exemplary leadership and contributions to the waterworks industry. In 2019, he was awarded the Engineers Nova Scotia Sexton Gold Medal for exceptional achievements in engineering practice and contributions to society. In 2021, Mr. Yates was awarded the AWWA Abel Wolman Award of Excellence in recognition of his career in the water profession that exemplifies vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance.