The Canadian Water Network (CWN) was created as one of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), to build a network that develops opportunities related to the provision of safe, clean water. In collaboration with universities, government and industry, the CWN has developed a variety of scientific projects and initiatives that address key water-related issues facing Canadians while embracing strong multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral partnerships.

The CWN applies scientific excellence, communication and network activities within three programs that focus on national issues of strategic importance to the Canadian economy and public good:

• Protecting Watersheds and Ecosystems
• Protecting Public Health
• Ensuring Sustainable Water Infrastructure

What is an NCE?

The Canadian Water Network/Réseau canadien de l'eau (CWN/RCE) is one of the four Networks established in 2001 through the Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program.

The NCE Program creates unique partnerships among industry, universities and government that are designed to develop the economy and improve our quality of life. These nation-wide networks connect excellent research with industrial know-how and practical investment.

The NCE program is administered jointly by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) in partnership with Industry Canada.

For more information about the NCE program, visit their website at www.nce-rce.gc.ca.

Vision and Mission

CWN Vision

The Canadian Water Network is a highly sought after mobilizer of multidisciplinary water research and knowledge resources from across Canada.

CWN Mission

To establish and nurture national partnerships and communities of practice that brings together multidisciplinary research excellence and water managers providing innovation and highly qualified personnel to address complex high-priority water resource management issues.

As a Network of Centres of Excellence the Canadian Water Network (CWN) plays a critical role in ensuring that Canada can more effectively capitalize on its investments in research to enable it to be a world leader in water management creating benefit for the economic prosperity and public good of Canadians. To achieve this, the Canadian Water Network catalyzes strong partnerships and fosters leadership in research that results in integration of knowledge across disciplines and sectors, empowering decision-makers and companies to apply effective knowledge-based solutions to water management.

The outcomes for Canada as a result of CWN research activities include:

• reduced waterborne illnesses and the cost of public health protection by improving decision makers ability to identify and minimize risks in communities across Canada.
• integrated management of Canada's watersheds to balance competing demands while protecting human health and the environment.
• advancing technology, management and governance for water treatment, protection and use of water resources.

Becoming Involved

The Canadian Water Network is a broad partnership of private industry, academia and not-for profit organizations. We are always looking for new ways to expand our partnerships.

To find our more about partnership opportunities, contact the Canadian Water Network. For more information please view a detailed description of our funding programs and descriptions of our program areas and scope of research.