The Water Institute’s Water Research Conference: Breaking Boundaries in Water Research, took place on Monday, September 24 at the University of Waterloo. Nearly 200 water researchers, students and industry professionals came together to learn about the interdisciplinary water research happening at Waterloo, and around the world.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Maricor Arlos didn’t think much about water until her family moved to Canada in search of better opportunities. After attending a Waterlution event, she realised that many people have connections to water and that it’s an important resource that needs to be discussed more.
When you learn about Waterloo’s Collaborative Water Program, you will learn that there is a heavy focus on interdisciplinarity – bringing together students from 11 departments and schools under the umbrella of water to learn from, and share with, one another.
The Ecohydrology Research Group and Dajiang Environment Corporation are collaborating on strengthening the water quality management of the Eco Hi-Tech Island in Nanjing, China.
Forest fires are sweeping North America with detrimental environmental, economic and human impacts. A research team, led by University of Waterloo Engineering professor Monica Emelko, will receive $5.5 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Strategic Partnership Grant for Networks to provide new knowledge on the impacts of different forest management strategies on drinking water source quality and treatability.
According to the World Health Organization, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water. Without safe drinking water, people are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases, which are responsible for more than 3.4 million deaths each year.
Five Water Institute members are among the 10 campus-wide to receive funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Strategic Partnership Grants for Networks and Projects to further their transformative water research.
As of Sunday, August 5, there were 127 fires burning in Ontario, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. One of the fires, dubbed Parry Sound 33, is more than 110 square kilometres in size and has prompted evacuations in some communities.
The responsibility for implementing integrated watershed management in Canada is fragmented. Each province and territory has developed unique approaches or governance models to guide decision making. A new book, Integrated Water Management in Canada: The Experience of Watershed Agencies, co-edited by Water Institute member Bruce Mitchell, chronicles the insight of front-line water managers of watershed-based agencies in provinces from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador across Canada.
Three Water Institute members have recently been appointed University Research Chairs in recognition of their outstanding research accomplishments: Roy Brouwer, professor in the Department of Economics; Michael Tam, professor in the Department Chemical Engineering; and Olaf Weber, professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development.