Environment and Climate Change Canada has contracted Canadian Water Network (CWN) to conduct a study focusing on pre-treatment opportunities of Chemicals of Mutual Concern (CMCs) in landfill leachate while applying a green chemistry lens.
The sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents scientific evidence that climate change is expected to continue exacerbating drought and flood risks in the coming decades. At the same time, the report also states that adaptation actions are likely to reduce some of these climate risks while providing multiple co-benefits. [...]
The overall purpose of this initiative is to explore approaches to advancing digital transformation, including data governance, management, and analysis at water and wastewater utilities. Building on previous conversations from the Levels of Service Strategic Sharing Group, members will have the opportunity to learn about tools, resources and case studies from experts in the field. [...]
The overall purpose of the rates and affordability initiative was to build municipal/utility knowledge and support decision-making on specific aspects of utility financial sustainability and affordability. Building on past CWN initiatives and discussions, the rates and affordability initiative aimed to deliver a report that explores utility water, wastewater and stormwater rates/fees in the context of [...]
In June of 2021, the Government of Canada committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. In November 2021, almost 200 countries at COP26 committed to the Glasgow Climate Pact that contained four main goals. Water plays a central role in achieving all of them alongside “near-global net-zero” mitigation efforts. Around the same time, Canadian Water Network [...]
Investment and operational decisions in water and wastewater management need to be made, despite uncertainty related to climate change, emerging contaminants, regulatory changes and unforeseen challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to realize co-benefits can build resilience across the water sector in the face of uncertainty, now and into the future. Creative approaches that [...]
In October 2020, Canadian Water Network launched a Strategic Sharing Group for members of the Canadian Municipal Water Consortium. The purpose of this group was to provide a space to discuss advancing levels of service for municipal water, wastewater and stormwater systems. During the discussions, a wide range of topics were covered, including how municipalities [...]
The impacts of extreme weather events are a major challenge for Canada’s people, environment and economy, and flooding has caused significant damage over the past two decades. For all sectors, responding to this challenge requires that we develop effective approaches to manage the risks involved by better identifying, understanding and responding to them. An opportunity [...]
Canadian Water Network's pilot strategic sharing group for members of the Canadian Municipal Water Consortium’s leadership group focused on managing risks from contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater discharge. The meeting topics were directed by the group’s interests and needs, and included discussion on contaminant status, sampling and monitoring strategies, regulatory needs, risk management policies [...]
Canada’s rapidly evolving situation during the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged business-as-usual for water and wastewater utilities, requiring modifications to staffing and operations and the prioritization of activities, including ongoing maintenance and construction projects. Since March 20, 2020, Canadian Water Network has facilitated weekly discussions with decision makers from up to 30 large and mid-sized water [...]