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!

Last week, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Week took place on Wednesday to remember the colonial history and continued legacy of the residential school system. In a video we viewed as a team, Phyllis Webstad from Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, the founder of Orange Shirt Day and a residential school survivor, spoke about repairing the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canadians. CWN continues its efforts to contribute to this goal through its membership in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program and its collaborative work with its Indigenous Water Management Advisory Committee, launched this past June.

We are delighted to welcome Kate Swift, senior manager of business opportunities and fundraising, Jess Kidd, senior program advisor for the Lake Ontario Collaborative Group, and Caryn Leith, administrative and operations coordinator, to the CWN team. Great to have you aboard!

With it being budget time, we have focused on the theme of financial sustainability and affordability this past month. Our Consortium Leaders Group meeting in Winnipeg in mid-September focused on this theme. It revealed the varied pressures of cost escalation at budget time, how to communicate budget needs to council, and the programs in place for ratepayers with affordability concerns.

My CEO blog and thought leader interview both tackle this issue. In my blog, I imagine being in the mind of a water utility leader at budget time, confronting all the financial pressures head on. In my thought leader interview, Patrick McManus, executive director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, shares his observations and insights on cost escalation and pressures from the perspective of the construction industry.

In Katina Tam’s spotlight on one of our members, Bu Lam, director of sanitary and stormwater utilities for the City of Kitchener, he shares his thoughts on creative problem-solving and critical thinking in the work he does.

This edition also has our regular program and project updates, federal updates, and more news on upcoming events. You can catch CWN presentations all over Canada and around the world, from Singapore to Halifax to Glasgow. Don’t hesitate to come up to us to introduce yourself and share your thoughts on the issues of the day.

Enjoy the Fall colours,

Nicola