In Canada, investments in water infrastructure, including water treatment and distribution and wastewater treatment and disposal systems, constitute tens of billions of dollars with annual renewal and replacement costs estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

While it is well understood that significant new investment is essential to maintain these systems, there is a need for comprehensive studies to identify suitable technologies and to determine expenditure priorities.

The infiltration of drinking water distribution systems by pathogens has been identified as an important potential source of pathogen outbreaks in Canada. The role of different types of water distribution systems on pathogen outbreaks were studied along with the conditions for pathogen survival in these systems.

Infrastructure research projects

• Impacts of infrastructure management on the contamination of drinking water with pathogens, led by Dr. Michèle Prévost
• Water infrastructure: long-term supply and demand management and planning, led by Dr. Bryan Karney