The Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) is a collaborative initiative between multiple Canadian universities, including University of Waterloo, funded through the Canada Foundation for Innovation Major Science Initiative Fund (CFI-MSI). GWFO comprises a cohort of freshwater data collection and experimental demonstration sites across Canada. These sites form an integrated facility nested within major river basins and lakes and strategically linked to local laboratories and deployable measurement systems. GWFO supports field experiments that are used to develop risk management solutions and decision-making tools for water resources and services in Canada and throughout the cold regions of the world.
This is the main web page for the GWFO sites, equipment rentals, and analytical services available through the University of Waterloo. A complete overview of all GWFO sites and facilities can be found on the Global Water Futures Observatories main website.
Rent field equipment
Need a boat, multiparameter probe, or percussion corer for your next sampling trip? GWFO partners maintain a wide variety of field equipment for rental by the day.
Book lab equipment
Take advantage of the wide ranging specialized equipment and experimental setups available for use at our main Waterloo campus. Anaerobic chambers, autoclaves, ovens, flow through reactors of various sizes are available.
Request sample analyses
GWFO labs offer a variety of lab analyses and services, including ICPMS, table-top scanning electron microscopy, LDIR spectroscopy. Our state of the art equipment offers a one-of-a-kind resource for environmental researchers.
