A gathering of global water experts in Toronto

This year, from August 11-15, the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in downtown Toronto, Ontario. This prestigious conference is a global event for water professionals, covering the entire water cycle and drawing over 10,000 experts, thought leaders, decision-makers, researchers, and business representatives. The focus will be on innovative water solutions that shape the future of water management.

Dr. Wayne Parker, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Water Institute member at the University of Waterloo, is a key member of the local organizing committee for the conference, has played a significant role in organizing the technical tours program and will lead 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 will participate as a panelist in the workshop ‘Navigating The Ever-Changing PFAS Landscape: Latest Developments And Best Practices.’ He is 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.”

World Water Congress panel to showcase latest in Great Lakes research

A second Waterloo-led conference panel discussion titled "Advancements in Great Lakes Science from Canada's Largest Water Research Program" will explore scientific advancements resulting in improved management of the Great Lakes basin. Four Water Institute faculty members will present their research, funded by the $78 million Global Water Futures (GWF) project, highlighting insights and management implications from one of the world’s largest water research programs. Topics will include legacy nutrients, economic implications of restoration activities, strategies for addressing the role of road salts in eutrophication, and the power of machine learning and artificial intelligence in modeling.

This is a great opportunity for the Water Institute to present the innovative research we undertake on the world stage at the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, showcasing the critical advancements we’ve made bringing together water science, engineering, governance and economics. The event is also a tremendous networking opportunity for strengthening our global collaborations.

Roy Brouwer, Executive Director, The Water Institute

Water Institute panelists for the event include:

  • Philippe Van Cappellen, Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology, University of Waterloo
  • Roy Brouwer, Executive Director, The Water Institute; Professor, Department of Economics, and University Research Chair in Water Resources Economics, University of Waterloo
  • Nandita Basu, Professor Departments of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Canada Research Chair in Global Water Sustainability and Ecohydrology, University of Waterloo
  • Juliane Mai, Research Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo

The panel will be moderated by Nancy Goucher, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist, The Water Institute, University of Waterloo.

Find out more about the conference here.