New partnership with U of A to tackle global water challenges

A new research centre at the University of Alberta aims to keep water and wastewater services safe, reliable and sustainable for generations to come with the help of collaborators like EPCOR.

Today, the U of A is announcing a $1.4 million contribution from EPCOR as the founding member of the Water Research Centre (WRC).

The Water Research Centre’s goal is to address global water challenges by building on leading expertise across the U of A and collaborating with industry partners to address issues related to water supply and demand, treatment and reuse, and infrastructure. The heightened risk of extreme weather events threatening global water supplies, sanitation and infrastructure is accelerating the need to improve wastewater treatment practices and address environmental issues surrounding safe water supplies.

The new centre is based within the Department of Civil Environmental Engineering and the School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, but the depth of work extends beyond engineering and science; water security also involves sociology, rural economy and Indigenous Initiatives.

“There is a long history of successful collaborations between the University of Alberta and EPCOR that have led to many successful stories about water and wastewater treatment and infrastructure and also water quality protection,” says Mohamed Gamal El-Din, Director of the Water Research Centre. “We are very enthusiastic that the strong history will carry into the future with even much more success tackling all sorts of water and water infrastructure issues.”

EPCOR’s $1.4 million gift will support research and initiatives within the water industry both at home and across North America. In addition, EPCOR will provide in-kind support in the form of providing water and wastewater samples as well as access to infrastructure for certain projects and hands-on training or work opportunities for students and researchers involved in the WRC.

“The Water Research Centre will be a catalyst, bringing together experts from education, industry and government to address critical water-related problems and explore opportunities,” says John Elford, President and CEO of EPCOR. “Together, we can protect this essential resource and keep providing safe, reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services – today and for generations to come.”

Specific projects within the WRC have not yet been announced, however they will build on water research already underway at the U of A. 

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Vernon
U of A Media Strategy
Phone: 780-818-0901
Email: svernon@ualberta.ca

EPCOR Media Relations
Phone: 780-721-9001
Email: media@epcor.com