Making the Invisible Visible: Why Better Groundwater Science Matters
Groundwater is one of our most important water resources. It provides drinking water for about 50% of the population worldwide and represents 70% of the total water used for irrigation. Despite its importance, groundwater remains one of the most overlooked natural resources. It is literally out of sight. It moves slowly. And the consequences of over-extraction, contamination or poor land-use decisions may take decades to become noticed. That invisibility has consequences. “We don't have a holistic view of our freshwater [...]
Building Smarter, More Resilient Water Systems: The WesternWater Centre’s Vision for Impact
As water systems face increasing pressure from climate change, emerging contaminants, aging infrastructure, and rising demand, the need for practical, scalable solutions has never been greater. At Western University, the WesternWater Centre (WWCTR) is responding to these challenges by bringing together researchers, industry partners, government agencies, and communities to advance collaborative, applied water research. Under the leadership of its Director, Dr. Martha Dagnew, the Centre is building on a strong legacy of research excellence while sharpening its focus on developing [...]
Advancing PFAS Detection and Treatment in Canadian Water Systems: Research Collaboration Improves Monitoring and Removal
On June 9, 2026, the Ontario Water Consortium hosted an Innovation Showcase webinar highlighting recent progress from a collaborative research initiative focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadian water systems. The project brings together researchers, utilities, and technology providers to improve understanding of PFAS occurrence, transformation, and treatment in drinking water and wastewater systems. Led by Professor Scott Hopkins at the University of Waterloo and Professor Franco Berruti at Western University, the initiative is supported by an NSERC [...]