Showcasing innovation: Water Institute researchers at leading international conference in Toronto
Water Institute members showcased cutting-edge water research from the University of Waterloo at the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition in Toronto, Canada, held from August 11-15, 2024.
The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is a global event that convenes thought leaders, decision-makers, top researchers, and business representatives from both within and beyond the water sector. The focus is on developing innovative solutions and management approaches to shape the future of water management.
Thousands of leading water professionals and companies attended the five-day event, which featured keynote speeches from leading experts including;
- Peter Gleick, Co-founder of the Pacific Institute
- Saroj Kumar Jha, Global Director of Water Global Practice for the World Bank Group
- Henk Ovink, Executive Director and Commissioner for the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.
The keynotes emphasized that the time to prioritize water is now. We are confronted with a range of interconnected challenges—climate change, water and food insecurity, poverty, health inequality, natural disasters, and conflict—that demand urgent attention. Addressing these complex issues requires the collaboration of great minds from diverse perspectives. To succeed, we must significantly increase investment in water infrastructure and resources and shift our perspective: viewing the economy through the lens of water rather than water through an economic lens. Water must be recognized as a cross-sectoral organizing principle.
Water Institute researchers participated in various aspects of the conference including panel discussions, case study demos and networking events to showcase UW innovation, providing a stage and opportunity to learn from others.
Navigating The Ever-Changing PFAS Landscape
Dr. Wayne Parker, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, was a key member of the local organizing committee for the conference and played a significant role in organizing the technical tours program and leading delegates on a tour of the Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor installations at the Hespeler and Elmira wastewater treatment plants.
In addition to his organizational efforts, Dr. Parker was a panelist in the workshop ‘Navigating The Ever-Changing PFAS Landscape: Latest Developments And Best Practices.’ He was also co-author on a poster with Narasimman Lakshminarasimman, former chair of the Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS), titled “Energy, Emissions, and Effluent Quality – Insights from a Full-Scale Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) Upgrade.”
Top photo: ‘Navigating The Ever-Changing PFAS Landscape: Latest Developments And Best Practices’ workshop presenters. Middle: IWA Local Organizing Committee. Bottom: Wayne Parker with former and current grad students.
Wildfires and water quality
Dr. Monica Emelko, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology & Policy was an invited speaker at the IWA day one Groundwater Forum, where she presented “Climate Change Increases the Frequency of Forest Fires – How Does This Impact Groundwater Quality?” As part of a second technical session on Water Quality Standards, Regulations and Economics, she also presented “Severe Wildfire In Fort McMurray, Canada: A Legacy Of Threats To Water Quality And Treatability.”
Research from Dr. Emelko’s group was prominently featured in the poster session as well, including the following submissions from her research associates and students Kalani De Silva, Dafne de Brito Cruz, Kelvin Vianini and Dr. Philip Schmidt:
- Better Protozoa Removal with Direct Filtration? De Silva KS, Emelko MB, Ballantyne L, Ruecker N, Anderson WB, Anvari A, Batista EJW, 2024.
- Controlling Health Risks from Protozoa in Drinking Water: From Monitoring Approach to Verifying Sufficient Treatment. de Brito Cruz D, Schmidt PJ, Kundert KL, Ruecker NJ, Emelko MB, 2024.
- Wastewater-effluent Phosphorus After Tertiary Treatment: An Additional and Unexpected Threat To Downstream Reservoir Eutrophication? Vianini KN, Anderson WB, Stone M, Emelko MB, 2024.
- How Quantitative is Quantitative PCR? Applying Fundamental Microbial Water Quality Theory to Improve Interpretation of Trace Detections. Schmidt PJ, Emelko MB, 2024.
Photos L to R: Kalani De Silva, Monica Emelko and Dafne de Brito Cruz.
Advancements in Great Lakes science
Water Institute members Dr. Juliane Mai, Dr. Roy Brouwer, Dr. Nandita Basu, and Nancy Goucher presented the latest scientific developments on eutrophication in the Great Lakes. With algal blooms becoming an increasing issue in lakes worldwide, there was strong interest in how this problem manifests in the Great Lakes. The panelists highlighted that our understanding of the causes of eutrophication is growing more sophisticated, which necessitates a more complex approach to developing solutions. The session featured interactive elements, including live polling and small group discussions, allowing participants to explore how this research can effectively inform global water management through practical strategies and initiatives.
Photo L to R: Roy Brouwer, Nancy Goucher, Juliane Mai, and Nandita Basu.
Navigating the future landscape of graduate training in WASH
How can we prepare graduate students not only with specialized knowledge needed to address global water and sanitation issues but also with the skills and attributes necessary for success in a rapidly changing and interconnected world? Alexa Bennett, a PhD student in Geography and Environmental Management and SWIGS executive member addressed this question in the workshop she chaired at the World Water Congress titled ‘Navigating the future landscape of graduate training in WASH’. Hosted by WASHCanada, the workshop explored how to best train graduate students to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and safe sanitation for all).
Several key insights emerged from the discussion, including the need for students to understand both the technical and social dimensions of water and health, to learn through coursework that applies real-world case studies, and to engage in experiential learning opportunities.
Additionally, the session highlighted the importance of fostering mentorship, leveraging youth networks, building authentic international partnerships, securing financial support, enhancing academia-industry collaboration, and utilizing technology in both training and practice.
“Participating in the World Water Congress was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with experts from both within and beyond academia. I gained valuable technical knowledge that goes beyond my usual focus on public health, and I am excited to integrate these insights into my doctoral research. I was also grateful to connect with a diverse network of professionals across the water sector who share my interest in SDG 6. I encourage other graduate students who are passionate about water issues to engage in collaborative events outside their degree work. The Water Institute and SWIGS have some exciting activities planned on campus this fall!” - Alexa Bennett, PhD student in Geography and Environmental Management.
Alexa Bennett, PhD student in Geography and Environmental Management.
Best Scientific Book Prize
We are pleased to acknowledge the co-authors, including our Water Institute Executive Director, Roy Brouwer, for receiving the IWA Publishing Best Scientific Book Prize. Their open access book, Resource Recovery from Water: Principles and Application, was recognized at the World Water Congress in Toronto and presented during the President's Dinner on Saturday, August 10.
This recognition highlights the important contributions of all involved, advancing the field of water resource management.
