Breaking boundaries in water research

For many Canadians, turning on a tap or accessing a washroom is an unremarkable part of daily life. Yet water researchers increasingly recognize that access to water is closely tied to dignity, health, and social equity. New research led by Julius Jebuni suggests that, in some parts of the world, the consequences of water insecurity extend even further: into the realm of gender-based violence.

New research shows fluctuating water tables can accelerate contaminant breakdown

Old petroleum spills can continue to contaminate soil and groundwater for decades, making remediation slow, costly and difficult to predict. New research from the Ecohydrology Research Group shows that a natural process, the rise and fall of the water table, can significantly influence how quickly petroleum contaminants breakdown.

The University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program (CWP) has been named a finalist in the Education category of the 2026 Water Canada Awards, recognizing more than a decade of innovation and leadership in interdisciplinary water education.