{"id":6227,"date":"2018-05-01T00:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-05-01T00:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/new.cwn-rce.ca\/2018\/05\/01\/expert-panel-presents-a-blueprint-for-action-on-contaminants-in-wastewater\/"},"modified":"2025-08-07T10:36:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T14:36:04","slug":"expert-panel-presents-a-blueprint-for-action-on-contaminants-in-wastewater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cwn-rce.ca\/fr\/2018\/05\/01\/expert-panel-presents-a-blueprint-for-action-on-contaminants-in-wastewater\/","title":{"rendered":"Expert Panel Presents a Blueprint for Action on Contaminants in Wastewater"},"content":{"rendered":"

In October 2017, Canadian Water Network, with financial backing from Environment and Climate Change Canada, appointed an expert panel to conduct a national review of contaminants in municipal wastewater. The panel\u2019s findings are now available in a new report,\u00a0Canada\u2019s Challenges and Opportunities to Address Contaminants in Wastewater<\/em><\/a>, which will be presented to municipal water leaders at Blue Cities 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201cWastewater management is critical to all Canadians,\u201d says Dr. Donald Mavinic, expert panel chair and Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia. \u201cOver the past decade, we\u2019ve seen an increase in contaminants in wastewater which can have adverse effects on public and environmental health.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past, Canada\u2019s wastewater systems were designed to treat human organic waste. However, as the wastes generated by our society have increased in complexity, so have the challenges of dealing with them. Pathogens, nutrients, metals, pharmaceuticals and microplastics are some of the known and emerging contaminants of concern found in our wastewaters. The expert panel was tasked with assessing which contaminants are priorities, whether treatment options are available, and the trade-offs and opportunities involved.<\/p>\n

Across the country, wastewater treatment is highly varied, reflecting more than a century of solutions developed in response to different geographic settings. Communities along coastlines, on the prairies, or in remote Northern locations have different needs, and the panel says that designing community-based solutions remains key. However, there is currently no national system in place to collect and share this information with municipalities or to share research results and innovation.<\/p>\n

The panel notes that keeping contaminants out of municipal systems through source control is more effective than trying to remove them from wastewater. They provide a blueprint for action with seven recommendations, including the need for an integrated watershed approach that is risk-based and informed by environmental monitoring. The blueprint also suggests government incentives to encourage communities to go beyond minimum standards, accelerate research and technology transfer, and favour solutions with meaningful co-benefits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to make smart and strategic investments in wastewater management now \u2014 not 20 to 30 years from now. Canada should be investing in more research, community-based solutions and innovation. When there are additional benefits to gain such as reducing greenhouse gases, it\u2019s a win-win situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

During their six months of deliberation, the panel consulted with other experts across Canada, gathered case studies and scanned the literature in key areas of relevance. For a summary of their key findings, as well as the full report in both official languages, visit cwn-rce.ca\/contaminants-in-wastewater.<\/p>\n

– 30 –<\/p>\n

Media Contact
\nLiana Kreamer, Communications Manager, Canadian Water Network
\n519-745-2225
\nlkreamer@cwn-rce.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

**Panelists, including a francophone speaker, are available for interview.**<\/p>\n<\/div>

Quick Facts<\/h2>\n

Canadian Water Network<\/strong>\u00a0is Canada\u2019s trusted broker of research insights for the water sector. When decision makers ask, \u2018What does the science say about this?\u2019 they frame what is known and unknown in a way that usefully informs the choices being made.<\/p>\n

National Expert Panel on Contaminants in Wastewater:<\/h2>\n

Donald Mavinic, Expert Panel Chair and Professor, Civil Engineering, University of British Columbia<\/p>\n

Susheel Arora, Director of Wastewater and Stormwater Services, Halifax Water<\/p>\n

Cecelia Brooks, Director of Research and Indigenous Knowledge, Mi\u2019gmawe\u2019l Tplu\u2019taqnn and Water Grandmother, Canadian Rivers Institute<\/p>\n

Yves Comeau, Professor, Civil, Geological & Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n

Mike Darbyshire, General Manager, Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission<\/p>\n

Karen Kidd, Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair in Environment and Health, McMaster University<\/p>\n

Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director, Canadian Environmental Law Association<\/p>\n

Mark Servos, Canada Research Chair in Water Quality Protection, University of Waterloo<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s Challenges and Opportunities to Address Contaminants in Wastewater<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was led by Canadian Water Network, with a $400,000 contribution from Environment and Climate Change Canada. A national expert panel was appointed to consider:<\/p>\n