NSERC/Halifax Regional Water Commission Industrial Research Chair in Water Quality and Treatment

This research program will continue the strong collaboration between Dalhousie University and Halifax Water that was established in the first five-year Chair term (2007-2012), and collaboration among Dalhousie University, Halifax Water, LuminUltra Technologies Ltd., Cape Breton Regional Municipality Water Utility, MANTECH, INC. and CBCL Limited that was established in the second five-year Chair term (2012-2017). In addition, AGAT Laboratories will join the partnership to broaden the scope and impact of the proposed research.The proposed Chair term (2017-2022) will train 44 highly qualified personnel (HQP), including five postdoctoral fellows and 13 PhD, 11 MASc, and 15 undergraduate-level students. This research program will provide HQP with unique skills and a broad vision that will facilitate their transition into the Canadian workforce, as evidenced by the success of alumni from previous Chair terms. The proposed Chair program is divided into three research themes, which have the overall goal of achieving safe drinking water with a source-to-tap approach. The three themes are entitled: (1) Lake Recovery in Drinking Water Supplies; (2) Adaptation of Treatment Plant Design and Operation for Changing Water Quality; and (3) Maintaining Water Quality During Distribution. In particular, the Chair program will lead to new breakthrough information related to:- Algal occurrence in protected drinking water watersheds;- Development of measurement and design tools for biological processes in drinking water;- Improved understanding of corrosion control processes for improved water quality at the tap.