Research summary
All communities need adequate amounts of safe drinking water to thrive. Dr. Monica Emelko, Canada Research Chair in Water Science, Technology and Policy, is working to make this a reality.
Emelko was the first researcher to identify climate change–associated threats to water security, such as the deterioration of and fluctuations in water quality after wildfires and floods. Now, she and her research team are looking at the role of both “grey” in-plant treatment and “green” forest management-based technologies to address these challenges. Their aim is to understand why water scarcity occurs and how it can be mitigated. This knowledge will inform water treatment technology innovation for adaptation, resilience and decision-making to ensure drinking water security in Canada now and in the future.