Investigating water security
Water Institute member Monica Emelko, a professor in Waterloo's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the first Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology and Policy.
She will receive $1.4 million over seven years for research into ensuring water security in Canada.
Emelko,
who
is
the
director
of
the
University’s
Water
Science,
Technology
and
Policy
Group
focused
on
drinking
water
supply
and
treatment,
was
the 
first
researcher
to
identify
climate
change–associated
threats
to
water
security,
such
as
the
deterioration
of
and
fluctuations
in
water
quality
after
wildfires
and
floods.
Currently, she and her research team are investigating the role of both “grey” in-plant treatment and “green” forest management-based technologies to address water quality challenges. Their findings will help inform water treatment technology innovation for adaptation, resilience and decision-making.
Emelko co-leads forWater, a Canada-wide and internationally-partnered strategic research network focused on forest management-based approaches for drinking water source protection. The network brings together researchers, government agencies and industry professionals from different disciplines across Canada who are focused on understanding and developing response strategies to climate change threats.
Emelko has served as a technical advisor to the US National Academies of Engineering, Science, and Medicine as well as several federal and provincial/state agencies in Canada, the United States, and Australia regarding regulatory development of drinking water treatment, source water protection and integrated resource management.
Emelko was among nine across the Waterloo campus to be named new or renewing chairs in a December 16 announcement by the federal government, which marked the 20th anniversary of the CRC program.