As technology rapidly advances, monitoring health indicators and contaminants in wastewater has become more precise. But how can this information be harnessed to protect public health? Canadian Water Network (CWN) and the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) are leading a national program that supports the effective use of wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) to [...]
In Canada, we're fortunate to have municipal water leaders from diverse backgrounds serving communities across the country. Canadian Water Network (CWN) is launching an initiative to spotlight these leaders. Our goal is to celebrate and elevate their contributions by creating profiles that highlight their career paths, aspirations and perspectives on industry trends. For our [...]
As we bid farewell to the inaugural year of Canadian Water Network’s (CWN) and National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases’ (NCCID) Wastewater-Based Surveillance (WBS) peer learning program, we eagerly step into a new phase with fresh participants and renewed vigour. The WBS Strategic Sharing Group (SSG) and the newly created Provincial Forum boast a [...]
We’re bringing you an insider’s perspective on the latest updates from Canadian Water Network’s (CWN) Canadian Municipal Water Consortium. The national network is made up of utility leaders who share a common goal of advancing municipal water management. Introducing CWN’s Strategic Advisory Committee Earlier this year, CWN established its inaugural 2024/25 strategic advisory committee. [...]
Our water and climate program area is working to make our communities stronger and better able to deal with the impacts of climate change. Impacts of climate change on water availability To help do this, we’re undertaking a two-year project with ClimateWest and Prairie the Adaptation Research Collaborative (PARC) to understand the impact of [...]
As the federal lead for freshwater science, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) Science and Technology Branch is leading the development of a National Freshwater Science Agenda. It is an inclusive and coordinated roadmap that identifies the most pressing freshwater challenges across Canada. Over the next ten years, the National Freshwater Science Agenda will [...]
Bill C-59, which included the Canada Water Agency Act, received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024. The next steps for the Canada Water Agency (CWA) to officially commence its operations as an independent entity include the issuance of several orders-in-council: An order specifying the coming-into-force date of the new law. An order designating Winnipeg as [...]
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are human-made substances that persist in the environment and have been dubbed ‘forever chemicals.’ People can be exposed to PFAS through many routes, one of which is potentially drinking water. During wastewater treatment, PFAS can accumulate in the treated effluent from sources within the urban sewer collection system and discharged [...]
Microplastics are ubiquitous in our lives and in the environment. Canada is currently negotiating an international agreement on plastics pollution, and has joined other countries in banning some single use plastics. Despite the enormity of the problem, understanding how microplastics circulate in the environment and in our bodies is in its early stages. CWN’s [...]
Welcome to the Summer 2024 edition of News Splash. For those of us in the water sector, all eyes have been on the City of Calgary since June 5th. Main breaks are not uncommon, but a break in a feedermain from the treatment plant is particularly critical. There will be much to learn by [...]