ABOUT RES’EAU-WaterNET

Training of Highly Qualified Professionals and & KT

Contaminated drinking water is a major source of concern for small, rural and First Nations communities.  The problem has been brought to the forefront of Canadian science and politics following the contamination crises in Walkerton, Ontario, North Battleford Saskatchewan and the Kashechewan First Nations Reserve in Northern Ontario.  Many other water contamination problems go largely undetected, while nearly 100 First Nation communities across Canada have “boil water advisories” in any given year. 

RES’EAU-WaterNET is Canada’s first and only research network devoted exclusively to developing innovative, affordable technologies for providing clean drinking water to these small and rural communities (SRCs).

We unite water technology engineers, chemists, economists, science policy experts, industry partners and key stakeholders (e.g., government agencies, small water system operators and end-users) in an innovative, multidisciplinary research network. In all, RES’EAU-WaterNet’s 18 research projects involve 14 professors and collaborators from seven universities across Canada.  Supporting these efforts are industry partners that include technology providers and consultants, municipalities, professional organizations and related government agencies. 

The network is funded via the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and is hosted by the University of British Columbia.

RES’EAU-WaterNET is strongly committed to the training of highly qualified professionals who, through their unique experiences through participating in the network, will gain broader perspective on issues and challenges related to small water systems.  Trainees will develop unique skill sets by working in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities available to the Network and through direct interaction with communities, industry partners, and other major stakeholders.