Applied research in water and wastewater treatment science, laboratory analysis, environmental technology verification, technology precommercialization services
With its state of the art laboratory and indoor/outdoor testing facility, the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT) conducts, facilitates, and coordinates applied research on water-related technologies and alternative wastewater treatment technologies.
Small, medium, and large sized businesses are helped with their applied research and innovation needs, allowing them to become more competitive, expand their businesses, and achieve economic success as Canadian businesses in the water sector. By using the CAWT’s R&D and verification services, innovative companies can move through the commercialization pathway and be confident in their technology or product.
The scientists and researchers at the CAWT have knowledge, experience, and expertise in a range of water and wastewater technologies, methods, and related applications. Although not bound to these areas, applied research at the CAWT is primarily focused on alternative treatment methods, cold-climate technologies, filtration and membrane technologies, treatment wetlands, bioremediation, fixed film bioreactors, ozonation technologies, anaerobic bioreactors, UV treatment technologies, denitrification, greywater treatment, and phosphorus adsorption technologies.
proof of concept, performance measurement, third party verification, environmental technology verification (ETV) testing, testing, prototyping, technology certification testing, product and process applied research, engineering design, technology development, piloting, field demonstration, problemsolving, laboratory analyses for applied research, project management, technical training, knowledge transfer, condition simulation, water quality testing, modeling, reverse-engineering
- Chemical industries
- Clean technology
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Fisheries and aquaculture
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Mining, minerals and metals
- Utilities
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Wastewater analytical laboratory | Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) | Allows for very low detection and quantification of metals in environmental samples. |
| Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) | Used for metal analysis in environmental samples. | |
| Gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GC-MS) | Used for organics analysis of volatile compounds associated with metals remediation projects. | |
| High performance liquid chromotography (HPLC) | Used for the analysis of volatile fatty acids, chlorophyll A, and microcystins. | |
| Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) (Furnace flame and vapour generation) | Allows for analysis of a sample for its atomic constituents. Used for metal quantification. | |
Ion Chromatograph Dionex DX -120 Ion Chromatograph Dionex ICS-1600 | Used for the detection of anions and cations in water analysis. | |
| SmartChem 200 Discrete Analyzer | High output wet chemistry analyzer for environmental samples. | |
| Hach spectrophotometers | Spectrophotometers; for analysis of a wide range of environmental parameters. Also used for remote field work analysis. | |
| Anaerobic chamber | A sterile, anaerobic environment to allow for microbiology preparation and analysis. | |
| Luminometer | Measures quantification of luminescence; kinetics of a biological system, such as those used for metals remediation. | |
| Respirometer | Used to determine the biological oxygen consumption of a sample. | |
| BOD Autosampler/Titrator | Automates the BOD method, performs alkalinity testing, and takes conductivity and pH measurements. | |
| LC MS MS | Used for the analysis of a variety of emerging contaminants. | |
| Laminar flow hood | Useful for microbiology research and is used to prepare media plates, cultures and examination of sensitive materials. | |
| Level 2 biological containment hood | A safety hood required when performing work with agents that require Biosafety Level 1, 2 or 3 containment. | |
| Microwave for digestions | Used for digestion of solid environmental samples for metals analysis. | |
| TOC analyzer | Used for the quantification of carbon in water samples. | |
| UV/VIS colorimeter | Used for a large range of parameters including nutrients, metals and microcystins. | |
| CNS analyzer | Used to quantify carbon, nitrogen and sulfur in solids, useful for soil and compost analysis. | |
| Greenhouse research facility | Environmental growth chamber | An approximately 100 sq. foot room that can be manipulated for light, temperature and humidity for research projects. |
Private and public sector research partners
- Anaergia Inc.
- AquaTreatment Technologies
- Bio Ecological Solutions Inc.
- Bishop Water Technologies
- BlueLeaf Inc.
- C&M Aquatic Management
- Carbon Control Systems Inc.
- Clearford Industries
- EcoEthic Inc.
- FSC Architects & Engineers
- Great Lakes Clean Water Organization
- Green Turtle Technologies
- Greyter Water Systems
- Imbrium Systems Inc.
- Infiltrator Systems Inc.
- Inteed Solutions Inc.
- Kinross Gold Corporation.
- MASS Environmental Services Inc.
- Measuremax Inc.
- MetaFlo Technologies Inc.
- McRae Lumber Company
- Monteco Ltd.
- Murrenhil Corporation
- Real Tech
- Renewage LLC
- ReSource H2O Inc.
- Rivercourt Engineering Inc.
- SanEcoTec Ltd.
- SciCorp International Corporation
- Stantec Inc.
- Trojan Technologies
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| Kawartha Lakes Economic Dev Website | http://www.advantagekawarthalakes.ca/en/keySectors/Water_Profile.asp |
| SOWC Welcomes Fleming College as New Post-secondary Partner in Consortium | https://sowc.ca/sowc-welcomes-fleming-college-as-new-post-secondary-partner-in-consortium/ |
| Showcasing Water Innovation – Floating Wetlands. City of Kawartha Lakes | http://www.city.kawarthalakes.on.ca/environment/showcasing-water-innovation |