News

Waterloo graduate student Thiruni Thirimanne a PhD candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been awarded the Water Institute’s 2026 John Parish Memorial Graduate Scholarship, recognizing excellence in research on river systems and fluvial geomorphology.

A new collaborative study by water researchers at the University of Waterloo reveals that major investments in wastewater treatment have contributed to significant ecological recovery in the Grand River downstream of the Kitchener and Waterloo, ON wastewater treatment plants.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a sunlight-driven, bio-inspired photocatalysis process that degrades microplastic into acetic acid, the main ingredient in vinegar.

The research is led by PhD student Wei Wei under the guidance of Prof. Yimin Wu and published in Advanced Energy Materials.

Researchers and community partners gathered in Calgary on November 26 and 27 for the forWater Network Insights Forum. Established in 2017 as a national network dedicated to advancing science on forested drinking water sources, forWater used this event to mark the conclusion of its initial research program and reflect on nearly a decade of collaboration. The two-day forum, held at the city’s Ralph Klein Park Environmental Education Centre, brought together members of the forWater Network and partners from across Canada to share research, identify emerging challenges, and plan next steps for forest water protection efforts.

How do we protect water quality in a world increasingly shaped by synthetic chemicals. Research by Water Institute member Dr. Maricor Arlos explores this challenge by tracking harmful micropollutants through urban water systems and translating technical data into practical solutions. Based in the Faculty of Engineering, Arlos leads a community focused research lab that combines advanced analytical tools, policy relevant insights and hands on student training to support more informed wastewater treatment and water management decisions. Her work, conducted in partnership with municipalities and communities across Canada, reflects the strength of Waterloo’s water research community and its commitment to protecting water for people and ecosystems alike.

Carter McCrae, a master’s student in Climate Change, and Aidan Iapicco, an MSc candidate in Biogeochemistry and a student in the Collaborative Water Program (CWP), are developing a solution that links water, energy, and circular economy thinking. It is the first project to combine solar panel pumps and repurposed electric vehicle batteries in a system that will enable millions of small farms and billions of people to access water for irrigation. The solution aims to reduce costs and improve reliability for farmers facing growing water and energy constraints.

On January 16, the Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS) welcomed researchers to the third annual Bake Your Research competition. The much-loved event once again challenged participants to translate complex water research into edible creations that were as informative as they were delicious.

The Can-Peat network’s December 2025 sharing session offered a lively glimpse into the realities of peatland research and restoration, creating a space where seasoned researchers, students, and practitioners could swap stories from the field, compare methods, and celebrate both successes and challenges. Rather than formal presentations, the session leaned into the joy of shared experience, highlighting how field seasons shape research questions, collaborations, and community connections.

The Office of Research expects to initiate the search for a new Executive Director of the Water Institute in the coming months. This search for a successor to former Executive Director Roy Brouwer is expected to take up to six months to complete. As a result, Brouwer has been asked to remain in the role on a temporary basis during this period.

The Water Institute is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrea Brookfield has been appointed director of the University of Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program for a two-year term, effective January 1, 2026. An associate professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and a Water Institute member, Dr. Brookfield brings deep expertise in hydrology and water resource management. Her work focuses on developing and applying hydrological models that help us better understand how water and contaminants move through surface and groundwater systems and how decisions about energy, agriculture, and urban development shape the health of our watersheds. Her research aims to balance competing demands to support economic, social, and environmental stability.