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Costly losses in municipal water systems could be significantly reduced using sensors and new artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Developed by Water Institute and Engineering researchers in collaboration with industry partners, the smart infrastructure technology has the potential to detect even small leaks in pipes.

Members of the Water Institute at the University of Waterloo are always looking for new ways to solve complex water problems facing the world today. Norman Zhou, Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials Joining and Processing, Water Institute member and professor in Waterloo’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, is leading a research group that’s using an interdisciplinary approach to address some of these problems.

Around 60% of the world’s population – 4.5 billion people – either have no toilet at home, or one that does not safely manage excreta. In a bid to help break taboos around toilets and make sanitation for all a global development priority, the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day. This day is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

Assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Glacier Hydrology and Ice Dynamics, Christine Dow attended the inaugural Science Meets Parliament event in Ottawa.

Professor Mark Servos has been appointed a new Fellow of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), in recognition of his leadership within professional and scientific spheres, and within the organization itself. With this award he will now have the opportunity to contribute his expertise on the impacts of contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors, on watersheds as an advisor to the SETAC World Council.

The State of São Paulo, Brazil has faced severe water shortages in the recent past and may be heading towards another water crisis. During this time, the Water Institute has partnered with local stakeholders to help investigate some of the most important aspects of water security in São Paulo, and new and fortified partnerships are driving these initiatives forward.

Professor and Water Institute member Blair Feltmate says simple changes like adding curbs and water sensors can potentially save lives

When extreme weather hits Canada you can count on several things appearing in the media. Images of swollen rivers, flooded homes, brave first-responders, and University of Waterloo researcher Blair Feltmate clearly and passionately articulating the very real threat our communities face from climate change.

Last year Waterloo's Department of Economics launched a new graduate and undergraduate elective course on Water Resources Economics (ECON 484/673). The course was developed and taught by Economics professor and executive director of the Water Institute, Roy Brouwer. Although water is often an applied topic in environmental or resource economics courses, offering water resources economics as a full academic course is relatively new.

This article was written by Michael Hugall for CBC News 

The University of Waterloo, Environment Canada and the Dehcho First Nations are leading this work, dubbing Sanguez Lake, near Jean Marie River, N.W.T. as the test site for the project.  

Heidi Swanson, the lead researcher and assistant professor at the University of Waterloo, said older fish usually have a higher concentration of mercury and isolating them could help lower the overall mercury levels in the ecosystem.