New $1.4 million partnership with EPCOR allows U of A-based research centre to tackle global water challenges

Water Research Centre to build on existing expertise, knowledge to protect essential resource.

EDMONTON — A new research centre at the University of Alberta aims to keep water and wastewater services safe, reliable and sustainable for future generations 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 WRC will address global water challenges by building on leading expertise across the U of A and collaborating with industry partners on issues related to water supply and demand, treatment and reuse, and infrastructure. The risk of extreme weather events threatening global water supplies, sanitation and infrastructure accelerates the need to improve wastewater treatment practices and focus on environmental issues around 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 collaborations between the University of Alberta and EPCOR that have led to many successful stories around water and wastewater treatment, along with infrastructure and water quality protection,” says Mohamed Gamal El-Din, director of the Water Research Centre. “We are very enthusiastic to carry that work into the future.”

EPCOR’s $1.4 million gift will support water research and initiatives both at home and across North America. In addition, EPCOR will provide in-kind support in the form of 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 | svernon@ualberta.ca | 780-818-0901

Laura Ehrkamp | EPCOR Media Relations | media@epcor.com | 780-721-9001