Welcome to the Fall 2026 edition of Canadian Water Network’s (CWN) News Splash. The big news that is already creating buzz is our announced location and dates for Blue Cities 2027—in beautiful Montreal from April 27-28, 2027. Do not miss this event!

It’s budget development time in municipalities, and I am imagining what it would be like to be the head of a large municipal water utility, managing multiple pressures that are pushing costs up and deciding what to propose in response in the middle of an affordability crisis. Spoiler alert, there is no silver bullet.

Canadian Water Network’s CEO, Nicola Crawhall, sat down for an in-depth interview with Patrick McManus, executive director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA). They examine the growing challenges of delivering water and wastewater infrastructure amid rising costs and supply chain uncertainty.

Canadian Water Network’s (CWN) water leader spotlight celebrates municipal water leaders from across the country by sharing their career journeys and perspectives on the evolving water landscape. In this edition, Senior Program Advisor Katina Tam speaks with Bu Lam. He is the director of sanitary and stormwater utilities for the City of Kitchener. Read on to learn about his journey in the water industry.

This fall, Canadian Water Network (CWN) is launching the next phase of its work to help municipalities strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of water, wastewater, and stormwater services. The project builds on CWN’s Balancing the Books: Financial Sustainability for Canadian Water Systems report and Phase 1 of our work with Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC).

Much of the discussion about financial sustainability understandably focuses on how utilities raise revenue and pay for infrastructure. Those questions are essential, and Canadian Water Network (CWN) is undertaking international, multi-sector research to find answers. But there is another side of the equation: how utilities decide what infrastructure to build, how much to build, and when to invest. This is where Adaptive Water Infrastructure Planning (AWIP) can make an important contribution.

Every day, valuable thermal energy flows through Canada’s wastewater infrastructure. For communities looking for practical ways to reduce emissions, decarbonize buildings and make greater use of existing infrastructure, wastewater represents an energy source that is already available. But recognizing the opportunity is one thing. Developing a viable project is another.

The Net Zero Water project continues to advance practical resources, sector knowledge, and peer-learning opportunities to support more resilient, lower-carbon water and wastewater services.

Blue Cities 2027 brings together municipal leaders, water professionals, researchers, industry experts, and innovators to explore how we can make the best decisions for Canada’s water future in today’s uncertain environment.

This summer, Canadian Water Network (CWN) welcomed Kate Swift as the new senior manager of business opportunities and fundraising. In this role, Kate identifies, develops, and advances strategic opportunities in support of both CWN and the CWN Foundation.

Canadian Water Network (CWN) welcomes Jess Kidd as the senior program advisor for the Lake Ontario Collaborative Group. The Lake Ontario Collaborative Group spans several municipalities along the north shore of Lake Ontario to support a common goal: to develop the Lake Ontario Water Quality Forecasting System.

Canadian Water Network (CWN) welcomes Caryn Leith as the administrative and operations coordinator for the organization. Caryn brings a diverse background in marketing, project management, and wedding and event planning to CWN.

In March 2026, the Government of Canada, led by the Canada Water Agency, launched efforts to develop Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy. Now, the Agency is inviting people across Canada to share their views and help inform its development.

The Canadian water community is mourning the loss of James “Jim” Philip Bruce, who passed away on August 23, 2026 at the age of 97. A distinguished environmental leader, James made lasting contributions to freshwater research, Great Lakes protection, and international cooperation on water and climate.