Water treatment is a rapidly changing field because the threat of emerging contaminants has necessitated that new technologies be developed to remove these trace contaminants from drinking and wastewater. Similarly, concern over the energy requirement of water treatment is stimulating research into more energy-efficient processes and technologies that can be adopted not only by large municipalities, but also by remote and First Nations communities.

The Canadian Water Network’s call for proposals in this area of research has resulted in support for four innovative technology projects. Funded in January 2010, these two-year research projects are furthering the development, assessment and application of innovative water treatment technologies.

• Degradation of emerging pollutants by TiO₂ nanowire membranes during water treatment, led by Dr. Norman Zhou at the University of Waterloo
• Development of new membrane materials that incorporate novel nano-materials with functionalities that can oxidize NOM and inactivate pathogens, led by Pierre Bérubé at the University of British Columbia
• Molecularly imprinted and non-imprinted polymer nanoparticles for removal of EDCs and PPCPs from water and wastewater, led by Dr. Banu Örmeci at Carleton University
• Hydrodynamic particle breaking for improved disinfection, led by Dr. Steven Liss at Queen’s University