Department of Civil Engineering » University of Toronto

Research

The Drinking Water Research Group (DWRG), formed in 1998, is a consortium of researchers from three North American universities: University of Toronto , Dalhousie University , and Indiana University Kokomo. Our group approach to research recognizes the benefits derived from regular collaboration of team members on joint projects. Unique resources and expertise are located at the three universities, allowing a broader range of water treatment issues to be examined than would normally be available at a single facility.

The senior DWRG personnel at the University of Toronto are Dr. Robert C. Andrews, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering (andrews@ecf.utoronto.ca, tel: 416-978-5399), Dr. Ron Hofmann, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering (hofmann@ecf.utoronto.ca, tel: 416-946-7508), and Carole Baxter, Research Microbiologist, Department of Civil Engineering (carole.baxter@utoronto.ca, tel: 416-946-0302). The DWRG offices at the University of Toronto are located in the Galbraith Building , 35 St. George Street , Toronto , Ontario , Canada .

The DWRG typically undertakes collaborative projects within the following themes:

Treatment:

·        Disinfection and process optimization

·        Advanced treatment processes (UV, advanced oxidation, membrane filtration)

·        Inactivation of emerging pathogens

Distribution:

·        Control of disinfection by-products (DBPs)

·        Secondary disinfection, impacts on biofilm and corrosion

Innovation to Meet Future Water Needs:

·        Synergy of multiple disinfectants

·        Disinfection of reuse waters

Compliance:

·        Online monitoring, computer control, and information technology applications

Recent Research Projects:

Disinfection Alternatives

Incorporating reflection and refraction in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for UV reactor performance optimization

Advanced Water Treatment of Estuarine Water Supplies for Improving Water Quality

Ultraviolet Light

Incorporating reflection and refraction in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for UV reactor performance optimization

Impacts of process upsets and transient water quality events on UV disinfection at Ontario water treatment facilities

Integrated UV disinfection strategies

Operational relationships between UV effectiveness, turbidity, and particle counts

UV effectiveness against particle-associated viruses

Membrane Technologies

Advancement of Membrane Processes for Canadian Drinking Water Treatment Facilities

Distribution System Issues

Impact of changes in distribution system water quality on disinfection efficacy

Chlorine Dioxide

Impact of chlorine dioxide on transmission, treatment, and distribution system performance

Water Reuse

Treatment of Filter Backwash by Ultrafiltration: Microbial and DBP Impacts

Development of and integrated membrane process for water reclamation and microbial control

Mathematical Modeling

Incorporating reflection and refraction in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for UV reactor performance optimization

Research partners that sponsor or participate in ongoing DWRG research projects include: