News

Cyanobacteria blooms are a major environmental issue worldwide. They can have direct impacts on the safety of drinking water supplies by producing a variety of toxins which also impose health risks for swimmers and boaters. Although many may associate cyanobacteria with bright green algae seen on the surface of lakes, Ellen Cameron, PhD Candidate in Waterloo’s Biology Department, is using DNA sequencing to study cyanobacteria communities in low-nutrient, clear lakes in Northern Ontario.

Just before Christmas, the CME Group, the New York-based market operator that takes its name from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange — once described as the biggest financial exchange you've never heard of — began trading water futures.

For the first time, Wall Street traders are now able to take a stake in the future value of water, the way they have with other agricultural and mineral commodities.

A picture says a thousand words. For Water Institute member and professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, Rob de Loë, pictures also have the ability to illuminate scientific concepts and open the door to important conversations through engaging peoples’ emotions and feelings.

Investigating water security 

Water Institute member Monica Emelko, a professor in Waterloo's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the first Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology and Policy.

She will receive $1.4 million over seven years for research into ensuring water security in Canada.  

Waterloo wetlands research appears today in Nature

Targeted wetland restoration in heavily farmed areas would dramatically reduce the amount of nitrogen polluting rivers, lakes and coastal areas, a new study finds.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) examined detailed data on wetland locations and nitrogen loads from fertilizer on farm fields throughout the United States.

From September to November, 2020, the University of Waterloo’s Water Institute, in collaboration with the United Nations’ Environment Programme 'Global Peatland Initiative' (UNEP GPI), hosted three virtual workshops to catalyze dialogue and exchange among over 150 Canadian peatland researchers, government officials, private sector representatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The workshops were an important step toward establishing an active Canadian peatlands research network.

The Climate Risk Matrix, developed by the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, is a tool that institutional investors can use to identify material physical risks that investee companies face from climate-related extreme weather events.

The Waterloo iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team has been recognized with a number of awards this year at the annual competition. In addition to receiving Gold standing, their project also received the award for best Manufacturing Project at the undergraduate level, it was also nominated for the iGEM Inclusivity Award and the Best Wiki Award!

"Do you love wetlands? You might be surprised how much you appreciate wetlands without even realizing it. GreenUp asked us to write this article because we specialize in wetland research at the University of Waterloo," said Water Institute member and professor in the Department of Biology, Rebecca Rooney. "The concept of getting gifts and giving back is top of mind this time of year. Let’s consider a few of the gifts that wetlands give us."

On December 2, 34 Collaborative Water Program (CWP) students came together over Zoom to present their Water 602 community projects which made a real-world contribution to a water management issue.