In just 12 short months, the Ontario Water Consortium’s (OWC) Water Industry Growth (WIG) Program facilitated groundbreaking research projects and technological advancements in water treatment, resource management, and environmental sustainability.
The WIG program supported 17 company-led projects focused on technology advancement, many involving academic, municipal, and other sector partners. The success of the WIG program reflects a collaborative commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within Southern Ontario’s water sector. The program also provided support for the next generation of upgrades at OWC’s Guelph & London Wastewater Demonstration Facilities and facilitated skills development training sessions in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous Cultural Competency.
One of the program’s key successes lied in its support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the water sector. The funding played a crucial role in facilitating access to resources and fostering collaboration, empowering these businesses to develop and commercialize innovative water technologies. From startups revolutionizing water treatment to established companies expanding their market reach, the program has been a catalyst for growth and entrepreneurship within the industry.
“The Ontario Water Consortium deserves a lot of credit for helping us do this, helping us employ the people in order to advance this further and really bring something we think can be an iconic technology for Canada to reality.”
– Adam Gryfe, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Space Mining Corporation
WIG served as a cornerstone for supporting projects that enhanced technology development and adoption in water treatment, resource monitoring, and wastewater management. By fostering innovations such as the development of fouling-resistant ultrafiltration membranes, quantum sensors for advanced tomography, and AI-based platforms for water utilities, the program bolstered innovative solution providers that address current challenges while positioning Canada and it’s innovators at the forefront of advancements in water-related technologies.
The program’s emphasis on sustainability, digital adoption, and cutting-edge solutions ensured that crucial sectors vital to Canada’s recovery and long-term growth are well-equipped to navigate evolving landscapes and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic resilience and competitiveness. Supporting water and wastewater technologies through initiatives like WIG directly addressed challenges associated with urbanization, population growth and densification, changing demographics, climate change, and Canada’s evolving industrial and high technology priorities from critical minerals to manufacturing and other water intensive industries.
“Bringing innovative new products to life isn’t easy, especially when R&D dollars are tough to come by. It [WIG funding] opens up a very big market for us.”
– Tanush Wadhawan, Director, Dynamita North America
The impact of the WIG Program cannot be overstated. By supporting SMEs, fostering collaboration, and driving technological innovation, the program generated significant economic activity within the region. Through job creation, increased sales of water technologies, and the establishment of new
collaborations, the program has contributed to the overall growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s water industry.
As the only sector support organization specializing in water in Ontario, OWC is a shining example of dedication to driving innovation and fostering collaboration within the water technology sector. For over a decade, OWC’s primary mission has been clear and unwavering – to advance technology development, commercialization, and adoption through collaborative research, real-world testing, and strategic partnerships. Since it’s inception, OWC has mobilized more than $90 million to tackle challenging water and wastewater problems through research advancement and technology commercialization. More than 80 projects, most industry-academic collaborations, have been catalyzed supporting over 350 full- and part-time jobs along with hundreds of graduate and post-graduate researchers.
“WIG funding has enabled us to accelerate the research needed to support that design of commercial installations. Speed and continual research and innovation are keys to success with new technologies.”
– John Vandersleen, Senior Manager – Technology Development, ElectroKinetic Solutions
OWC actively continues to pursue new funding opportunities and develop future programming to support the sector and its stakeholders.
Thank you to our partners for your ongoing support and collaboration as we work together to drive innovation and sustainability in the water industry.