News

Lake Winnipeg has been experiencing increasingly severe algae blooms since the 1990’s, earning it the title of “Canada’s Sickest Lake”. This “illness” stems from excess nutrients, primarily phosphorus and nitrogen, running off from agricultural lands, urban areas, and wastewater treatment plants. These nutrients result in various water quality problems, including excessive algae growth, which can block light, deplete oxygen levels, and release toxins into the water.

Dr. Neil Thomson, internationally recognized groundwater remediation expert and long-time Water Institute member, was named Distinguished Professor Emeritus by the University of Waterloo in 2024 in recognition of his outstanding scholarly achievements and leadership. Now officially retired after more than 35 years with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Thomson continues to lead impactful research and mentor the next generation of environmental engineers.

A recent visit to Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has opened new doors for collaboration between researchers at the Water Institute and colleagues at one of Europe’s top technical universities.

A Waterloo-led research team creates “programmable” droplets with potential usage in wastewater treatment and carbon capture

Have you ever been on a “skunked” fishing trip—one where you don’t catch a single fish? Sometimes, it’s the weather. Other times, it’s faulty gear. But if you’ve been fishing in rivers for a while, you may have noticed more and more skunked trips. The problem might not be your technique—it could be the river itself.

Dr. Michael Tam, a chemical engineering professor and University Research Chair, has been named the 2025 recipient of the R.S. Jane Memorial Award — the highest honour conferred by the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE). He will deliver a plenary lecture at the CSChE Conference on October 8.

This spring, Water Institute member Dr. Leah Jones-Crank, Assistant Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, co-led a new international field course on urban sustainability in Singapore. Open to students in the Faculty of Environment, the course highlighted water management through immersive, real-world learning experiences.

New study with Water Institute member Dr. Jozef Nissimov, is the first to show experimentally that viral infections can trigger significant toxin release from harmful algae.

After long winters, Canadians love their summers. For some, that means summer vacations by a lake, along a river or on a bay for some much-needed rest and relaxation. For some, it’s time to disconnect at the dock, while for others it’s a time to cruise the lake or enjoy the thrill of water-skiing, tubing and wake-boarding.

The Water Institute is proud to celebrate Bhaleka Persaud, who earned 3rd place in the 2025 WDS Data Stewardship Awards.