Monica Emelko’s research and leadership recognized with Norman J. Howard Award

Professor Monica Emelko, a member of The Water Institute’s Board of Directors, has been recognized with the prestigious Norman J. Howard Award from the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) for her outstanding contributions to municipal water supply, research, and the advancement of the water profession.

The award is one of OWWA’s highest honours and recognizes individuals who demonstrate proficiency and leadership in key areas of municipal water supply, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, management, regulation and research. It celebrates those who have made significant contributions to ensuring safe, reliable and sustainable water systems.

Photo: (L) Tom Woodcock, OWWA Past President and (R) Angelika Masott, OWWA President, presenting the award to Monica Emelko, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology and Policy.

Emelko’s work exemplifies the purpose of the Norman J. Howard Award, combining research excellence with meaningful impact on the water sector. Through her internationally recognized research in drinking water quality, treatment processes and water system resilience, she has helped advance practices that protect public health and strengthen communities.

As a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology & Policy, Emelko is internationally recognized for her pioneering research on the impacts of wildfires and other landscape disturbances on drinking water security. Following the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, Emelko partnered with the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo utilities, regulators and researchers to assess risks to the Athabasca River drinking water supply and develop strategies to improve treatment resilience. Her work has demonstrated how wildfire-related changes in source water quality can persist for years after a disturbance, creating ongoing challenges for drinking water providers and highlighting the need for long-term monitoring and adaptive management approaches.

Her leadership within the forWater Network has brought together researchers, municipalities, utilities, Indigenous communities, and watershed managers to develop science-based solutions that strengthen drinking water resilience from source to tap. Through this work, Emelko has helped generate new knowledge on watershed protection, post-wildfire recovery, treatment process resilience, and emerging challenges such as increased organic matter and algal blooms following major disturbances. By translating research findings into practical tools and guidance for water providers, she has fostered evidence-based decision-making that supports more resilient water systems and better prepares communities for the water quality impacts of climate change and extreme events.

In recognizing Emelko with the award, OWWA highlighted her “outstanding leadership, technical expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence across municipal water supply.” The association noted that her contributions reflect the values of the Norman J. Howard Award through her dedication to advancing knowledge, supporting best practices, and strengthening the water profession.

Beyond her research contributions, Emelko is a leader in Canada’s water community. In addition to her role with The Water Institute, she serves as Scientific Director of the forWater Network, Associate Director of the Waterloo Climate Institute and Co-Director of the Canadian Phycological Culture Centre. Through these roles, she continues to support collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange across disciplines and sectors.

The Water Institute congratulates Professor Monica Emelko on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her leadership in advancing safe, sustainable, and resilient water systems.