PFAS Management in Canada Workshop: Driving Collaboration and Solutions
On September 16, 2025, Urban Water TMU hosted the PFAS Management in Canada Workshop, bringing together government representatives, municipal operators, researchers, consultants, technology providers, non-profits, and academics to address the pressing challenges posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadian water systems and biosolids. The workshop combined keynote presentations, panels, and interactive roundtable discussions to explore governance frameworks, emerging treatment technologies, and strategies for mitigating PFAS risks while preserving the agricultural value of biosolids. As a partner for the [...]
Accelerating Market Access in Water Innovation: Independent Robotics and the Ontario Water Consortium
When emerging technologies meet the complexity of the water sector, even the most promising innovations can struggle to find traction. This was the case for Independent Robotics (IR), a deep tech company aiming to bring its AI-powered Insight Engine and Aqua 2 autonomous robotic platform into the water space. While the technologies had clear potential for infrastructure inspection and environmental monitoring, the path to meaningful partnerships and real-world deployment was less obvious. That’s where the Ontario Water Consortium (OWC) stepped [...]
Assessing Aging Asbestos Cement Pipe: Insights from the Brabant Water Pilot Project
The Challenge of Aging Infrastructure Across Ontario and beyond, municipalities face a pressing challenge: managing aging water infrastructure, particularly asbestos cement (AC) pipe. AC water distribution mains, which make up about 11% of North America’s water network, fail at an average rate of 10.3 breaks per 100 miles each year. With more than 40% of these pipes already over 50 years old, utilities are confronting rising risks as the material nears the end of its useful life. Once valued for [...]