News

Roy Brouwer, Professor in the Department of Economics, University Research Chair in Water Resources Economics, and Executive Director of the Water Institute, has been appointed to the Science Advisory Board – Science Priority Committee of the International Joint Commission (IJC), a binational partnership between Canada and the United States managing shared waters.

On March 22, the Water Institute marked World Water Day—an annual event bringing together students, researchers, and community members to reflect on our relationship with water. This year’s event aligned with the United Nations’ 2025 theme, Glacier Preservation, and featured insightful talks from distinguished speakers, a showcase of emerging research, and a special recognition of alumni driving change in water management.

The Water Institute is pleased to announce that Rachael Messenger-Lehmann has been awarded the 2025 John Parish Memorial Graduate Scholarship. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding research in fluvial geomorphology—the study of rivers, their processes, and how they influence the landscape.

Understanding ice dynamics in the Yukon’s St. Elias Mountains to prepare for sea level rise and protect water resources

A study led by a University of Waterloo Water Institute researcher has learned that climate change is causing an increase in algae blooms in the United Kingdom’s River Thames despite a four-decade-long decline in phosphorus loads. The study completed a detailed analysis of the river’s 150-year water quality record to examine these trends.

The University of Waterloo has claimed the No. 1 position in Canada for water resources and climbed to 24th globally in the 2024 ShanghaiRanking’s Global Rankings of Academic Subjects—its highest position to date. Rising from 25th last year, the ranking underscores the university’s performance and reputation in water resources, a field critical to addressing escalating climate change and water security challenges worldwide.

In the face of rising urbanization and climate change, coastal cities in Bangladesh are encountering unprecedented challenges in managing their water resources. Traditional approaches to water management often fall short in addressing these complex issues. However, there’s hope on the horizon: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). Nature-Based Solutions leverage the innate power of nature to address water management challenges.

Are algae growing in your utility’s source water?

You might be envisioning a green surface scum or a reservoir that looks like pea soup, but algae can be found in amounts that are invisible to the human eye. And not visible does not mean non-toxic.

Waterloo Architecture is honoured to host the presentation “Climate Resilience Inspired by Monsoon Culture,” by renowned landscape architect Dr. Kongjian Yu, on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

Several Water Institute faculty members recently took part in the National Freshwater Data Strategy Workshop hosted by the Canada Water Agency (CWA) on September 25–26 in Burlington, Ontario.