News

Since the 1960s, eutrophication has been a critical problem in Lake Erie. High phosphorus concentrations in lake water are considered to be one of the major drivers that causes eutrophication leading to an overgrowth of algae. After the restriction of phosphorus use in household products, and upgrades of wastewater treatment plants, eutrophication was absent in the lake from 1980 to the mid-1990s.

Water Institute member Neil Thomson, a professor in Waterloo's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, has been awarded the 2020 Keith E Anderson Award for scientists and engineers who make outstanding contributions to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

Municipal bylaws that limit when residents are permitted to water lawns and gardens every summer effectively reduce consumption only during particularly hot, dry periods, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo analyzed more than a decade of data from 10 mid-sized Canadian cities that restrict outdoor water use and compared them with five cities that don’t impose limits.

Congratulations to Water Institute member and Canada Research Chair in Ecosystems and Climate Maria Strack from Geography and Environmental Management who has had her NSERC Tier 2 funding renewed at $100,000 over five years.

In September, the Collaborative Water Program will welcome back 36 students to complete Waterloo’s most interdisciplinary graduate program when they participate in the program’s Water 602 course. Traditionally taking place at various locations through the Grand River watershed, this year’s iteration of WATER 602 will take the core elements of the course online.  

Justin Murfitt, PhD student in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management and recipient of the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, is focussing his research on understanding the interaction between radar signals and lake ice in Canada, and how we can better monitor changes in the timing of lake ice cover and ice thickness.

When the University’s research labs shut down for quarantine, biology professor and Water Institute member Brian Dixon pivoted some of his research away from blood testing in fish, into looking at blood testing in humans. Instead of sitting around and waiting for his labs to open again, Dixon wanted to use his time and knowledge of biology and immunology to contribute to the global need for understanding and overcoming COVID-19.

Canada’s provinces and territories received a grade of C on flood preparedness, as determined following a two-year national study completed in 2019.

The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo interviewed 139 provincial and territorial government representatives responsible for managing floods, climate-related risks and emergency services from across all regions of Canada to calculate the grade.

A new initiative launched by two Water Institute students seeks to raise awareness and celebrate people of colour in water-related disciplines. The creators kindly provided the following information on their important initiative.

Spencer Weinstein, PhD student in the Collaborative Water Program and Waterloo’s Department of Biology, has won the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship for academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.