News
Download a copy of our Spring 2006 NEWSLETTER
Evolution
Graduates
Michael Templeton, who joined the DWRG in May 2001 as an M.A.Sc student, has completed his PhD thesis entitled “Ultraviolet Disinfection of Particle-Associated Viruses in Water”. Mike is currently working with the DWRG as a Post-doctoral Research Associate and interviewing for academic positions elsewhere.
Natalie Paradis, who joined the DWRG in 2003 as an M.A.Sc. student, has completed her thesis entitled “Mitigation of Taste and Odour Compounds by UV/H2O2 Advanced Oxidation”. Natalie is currently working with the DWRG as a Research Associate.
Kim Mowat, who joined the DWRG in June 2003 as an M.A.Sc student, has completed her thesis entitled “Impact of Disinfectant Combinations on Disinfection By-Product Formation in Bromide Rich Waters” and is now employed as a Process Designer at R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd. inToronto .
Congratulations and best wishes for the future from the DWRG!
Arrivals
We welcome the following people who joined the DWRG in 2005!
Monique Waller, M.A.Sc Candidate
Xiaodan Zhang, M.A.Sc Candidate
DWRG Alumni
Walt and Claire Bayless, both DWRG alumni who graduated in 2003 and 2004 respectively, and married in 2004, are the proud parents of a new baby girl. Sophie Bayless entered the world at 7:35pm on March 17, 2006 weighing in at 5 lbs. 5 oz. Congratulations from the DWRG!
Student Achievements
Two DWRG students receive NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships!
Ray Cantwell, a Ph.D. candidate supervised by Prof. Hofmann, has been successful in obtaining an NSERC IPS sponsored by Calgon Carbon Corporation. The primary objective of Ray’s research is to assess the potential for naturally occurring particles in surface water to protect organisms from UV disinfection. The protection of microorganisms by particulate matter is one of the concerns associated with UV disinfection of drinking water. Typically this issue is associated with unfiltered surface waters, however particles large enough to potentially harbour viruses routinely pass through even well-operated conventional filters. For this work, indigenous coliforms are used as surrogates for common pathogens in pilot and bench-scale experiments to assess the vulnerability of UV system performance to particulate matter. Another component of this project is an investigation into the potential for humic acids to coat the surfaces of bacteria and protozoa and subsequently offer protection from UV disinfection. The information generated from this work will be valuable to the UV industry for the design and proper installation of UV disinfection systems.
Pulin Mondal, a Ph.D. candidate with the DWRG supervised by Profs Andrews and Bagley, was successful in obtaining an NSERC IPS sponsored by ZENON Environmental. The primary objective of Pulin’s research, entitled “Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Membrane Concentrate”, is to develop and evaluate a biological process for the treatment of NF and RO concentrate from wastewater plants. Treatment of membrane concentrate with respect to selected EDCs (endocrine disrupting compounds) and PPCPs (pharmaceuticals and personal care products) will be the main focus of the study, with matrix effects and the presence of nitrate, sulfate, ammonia, and other inorganics also addressed. Bench-scale and pilot-scale studies will be performed to characterize the membrane concentrate, determine biodegradability of selected EDCs and PPCPs under anaerobic conditions, and evaluate EDC and PPCP removal performances of a bench-scale anaerobic fluidized bed reactor containing granular activated carbon.
AWWA Student Chapter established at the University of Toronto
Natalie Paradis (M.A.Sc. candidate) spearheaded the launch of the first AWWA Student Chapter at the University of Toronto . As Natalie has now graduated, Matt Woodbeck, a DWRG M.A.Sc. student will take over as head of this initiative. This officially recognized University group aims to give undergraduate and graduate students at U of T with an interest in drinking water, an opportunity to learn more about the industry. The first meeting of the group was a Lunch n’ Learn event, held on March 30, where approximately 20 students and several professors gathered to listen to presentations by two guest speakers: Bob Fleeton, president of KMK Consultants, and Brian Sahely, past chair of the OWWA Young Professionals Committee and professional engineer from KMK Consultants. This very successful event was a rare and valuable opportunity for students to meet and ask questions of two professionals from the water industry. We look forward to future AWWA Student Chapter events!
DWRG Ph.D. Student Wins CSCE Award!
Michael Templeton placed third (out of approximately 30 student presenters) in the student competition at the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) Annual Conference in June 2005, for presentation of his research work entitled “Impacts of Particle-Associated Viruses on the Ultraviolet Disinfection of Drinking Water”.
Where we were in 2005....
DWRG Members in Singapore
In July 2005, Prof. Andrews and one of his doctoral students, Anna Comerton, attended the 1st International Water Association-Asia Pacific Regional Group (IWA-ASPIRE) conference and exhibition in Singapore . Anna presented a paper entitled “Development of an Integrated membrane Process for Water Reclamation” and Prof. Andrews co-chaired one of the “Water Reclamation, Reuse and Recycle” sessions. This conference was a great opportunity to meet and talk to water experts from various parts of the world as well as to learn more about Singapore ’s innovative approach to dealing with their shortage of traditional water supplies. Of particular interest was a tour of the NEWater visitor centre, which is the focal point for Singapore ’s public education on NEWater. The centre uses various multi-media and interactive displays in order to explain the use of advances in membrane and water purification technologies for the production of recycled water, called ‘NEWater’. Visitors are even given the chance to taste test NEWater, which has been bottled as part of Singapore ’s public education initiative. Singapore is currently practicing indirect potable reuse by adding 1% NEWater to their reservoirs with the hopes of increasing that amount to 2.5% in the next 10 years. However, most NEWater is used in non-potable reuse applications, such as water for industrial processes and cooling of commercial buildings. 
DWRG at the OWWA Annual Conference
In May, the entire (13 person) Drinking Water Research Group traveled to Ottawa to attend the 2005 Annual Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) Annual Conference. Michael Templeton, Ray Cantwell, Natalie Paradis and Kim Mowat gave excellent talks, with Natalie winning the Michael R. Provart Environmental Award for best overall student presentation. This is the fifth time that a DWRG student has received this award.
WCWWA Microbiology Seminar
DWRG Research Microbiologist Carole Baxter (formerly Durance), traveled to Saskatoon, SK in October to participate in a specialty seminar offered in conjunction with the 2005 Western Canada Water and Wastewater Association (WCWWA) Annual Conference. Carole was one of five invited presenters leading the Microbiology seminar and gave a very well-received talk entitled “Emerging Pathogens: An Overview”.