News

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.

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.

The 50th Annual Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW), themed "Reflecting on the Past, Charting the Future," will take place in downtown Kitchener, Ontario, from October 6-9, 2024. Originally known as the Aquatic Toxicity Workshop (ATW), CEW has grown into Canada’s leading annual gathering for experts in ecological toxicology and related fields.

The University of Waterloo has been awarded federal funding to tackle environmental challenges impacting the ecosystem health of the Great Lakes. Environment and Climate Change Canada recently announced support for 50 partner-led projects through their Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

In a proactive move towards enhancing flood resilience planning, researchers from the University of Waterloo and Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) have partnered with the BC Provincial Government's Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (the Ministry) to produce a series of pivotal research reports aimed at helping British Columbia (B.C.) communities to better prepare for and adapt to flooding.