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Urban water stress is no longer a future concern. Water scarcity is already shaping how cities grow and develop. This challenge is not only about how much water is available, but also about where water flows and how long it stays within urban systems. One key player in this urban water cycle is the stormwater pond. Commonly found across cities, these ponds are often seen as simple drainage facilities.  In reality, they play a much larger role. Stormwater ponds store water, redirect flow pathways, and control how long water remains in the system, making them important nodes in urban hydrology. 

On March 20, the Water Institute brought together researchers, students and industry leaders to mark World Water Day 2026, highlighting the United Nations global theme of Water and Gender. The event explored water inequality, infrastructure challenges and shared responsibility, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary research and collaboration in addressing complex water challenges and ensuring safe, reliable water for all.

New research by Fridah Silas, a PhD student in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability and Collaborative Water Program student working with Dr. Dustin Garrick is exploring how farmers and actors across food, water, and energy sectors can work with nature, and with each other, to support more sustainable agriculture in Ontario.

This year, World Water Day highlights the need for water equity, ensuring safe water and sanitation for everyone. As part of the celebration at the University of Waterloo, Dr. Elliott is hosting a panel discussion titled “Water Equity and Shared Responsibility: Intersectional Perspectives from Research and Practice.”

Waterloo graduate student Thiruni Thirimanne a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded the Water Institute’s 2026 John Parish Memorial Graduate Scholarship, recognizing excellence in research on river systems and fluvial geomorphology.

A new collaborative study by water researchers at the University of Waterloo reveals that major investments in wastewater treatment have contributed to significant ecological recovery in the Grand River downstream of the Kitchener and Waterloo, ON wastewater treatment plants.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a sunlight-driven, bio-inspired photocatalysis process that degrades microplastic into acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar.

The research is led by PhD student Wei Wei under the guidance of Prof. Yimin Wu and published in Advanced Energy Materials.