Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Research
Collaboration offers improved measurement and environmental impact prediction for watersheds
A new digital platform initiative led by UCalgary in collaboration with IBM pools together data from multiple sources — including sensors, scientists and citizens — to create an accessible information reservoir that will support improved watershed science, policy and management across Canada.
Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets (ACWA)
These research projects create real-life water situations for a unique research and student learning opportunity. ACWA’s 12 research streams are embedded in the natural environment and receive effluent from the ACWA Research Plant and The City of Calgary’s Pine Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. The streams allow researchers to better understand the impacts of wastewater effluents on the aquatic ecosystems.
Teaching, learning and student experience
Water Movement sheds light on injustices facing Indigenous communities under boil-water advisories
Water Movement bridges the connection between Indigenous water operators whose work is vital to the health and well-being of countless communities. Through the joint efforts of industry professionals and UCalgary students, it provides a collaborative online space where operators can connect, share lessons learned and access training videos that act as educational tools. In addition to providing resources and an interactive collaboration zone for those in the industry, Water Movement seeks to raise awareness among the next generation of water leaders.
Mutually beneficial opportunities support research with Huu-ay-aht First Nations
In 2020, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC) and Huu-ay-aht began constructing a modern wastewater treatment plant that will be owned by the Huu-ay-aht and operated at the BMSC marine station on Vancouver Island. The new facility will incorporate research, experiential learning and educational initiatives, demonstrating the importance of clean water.
UCalgary scholars advocate for equity in water access
Thanks to a $4-million investment from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and industry funding, a UCalgary research team will create a detailed assessment methodology to measure the health and success of reclaimed wetlands across Canada. The team will study the functionality, water quality and surrounding disturbance features of newly formed wetlands. The tools developed in this research program will help to create healthier aquatic ecosystems, and will be widely applicable to industries across Canada that are located in boreal zones.
Campus and community impact
Campus
UCalgary is installing low-water use devices in all new buildings and continues to retrofit existing washrooms. Rainwater and recycled water are also used for toilet flushing in multiple buildings. Recycled water from the Central Heating and Cooling plant is also being used for irrigation throughout main campus. Finally, water bottle-refill stations are provided on campus for the use of students, faculty and staff.
Regional
As a very dry province with a growing population and industry, the pressure on Alberta’s water supplies keeps mounting. The School of Public Policy hosted a panel discussion on the economics of irrigation, water allocation, and the future of water supply and capacity in Alberta. The event explored the Government of Alberta’s decision to support irrigation projects as part of its economic recovery plan, as well as impacts of urban growth, agriculture and industry on water supply.
National
Many Indigenous communities across Canada are on drinking water advisories, resulting in their basic rights not being fulfilled and proving the inequity in access to clean water. Canada adopted the UN declaration of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. Still, we haven’t legislated the right to water in Canada, so there is no legal framework to ensure individual access. UCalgary experts are exploring how we can preserve the future of Alberta’s watersheds by focusing on equity.