Managing biosolids generated from wastewater treatment plants has always presented a challenge to wastewater treatment plant operators. Globally, the challenge is only becoming more difficult to mitigate due to growing urban populations, increasingly stringent regulations, and the construction of new and upgrading of existing wastewater treatment plants around the world. Traditional biosolids disposal techniques, such as disposal of un- or minimally treated biosolids into water courses or landfills are becoming less feasible, are no longer environmentally acceptable, and are a waste of potentially valuable resources. Combining the growing challenge of managing an increasing amount of biosolids with the shifting paradigm from wastewater treatment to resource recovery plants, there is a renewed focus on biosolids management technologies, including volume minimization, energy generation, resource recovery, and beneficial reuse.  

Ontario has a unique combination of technology companies and academic expertise that are on the forefront in this field. This is an area of strength in Ontario’s water sector that has the potential for global leadership. To foster this potential into a globally recognized and leading cluster, the Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) is launching initiatives to drive activities to specifically support the strengthening of a dedicated cluster in Ontario focusing on Value Generating Opportunities from Biosolids. 

SOWC, with the support of the Ontario Ministry of Research, Science, and Innovation, is pleased to be hosting a series of Collision Days to bring together leading technology companies with up and coming research and academic expertise that will be solving the biosolids management problems of tomorrow. This will be an opportunity for graduate students (Masters and Doctorate) and Post-Docs to have direct exposure to the latest cutting-edge topics and technologies related to capturing value from biosolids and enhance their understanding of the expert capacity in this field in Ontario.

SOWC would like to invite each of its member institutions to nominate up to five (5) of the most suitable candidates from their institution who are engaged in research activities relating to wastewater biosolids management technology development. Events led by and co-hosted with industry leaders will provide participants with insight into industry and peer projects, catalyze valuable company introductions, and launch relationships between industry and new high-quality professionals.

Students should be prepared, if selected, to give a brief (3-5 min) presentation on their research topic and how this research could enhance the biosolids cluster in Ontario.

Tentative Collision Days will be January 9, 16, and 23, 2017 (dates to be confirmed) and will involve technology companies currently including GE Water, Trojan Technologies, Lystek International as well as the Ontario Clean Water Agency. Locations are likely to include London, Guelph, and Mississauga. Students are encouraged to participate in all 3 events if possible.  Transportation to the initial meeting point will be the responsibility of the individual participants; additional group transportation may be provided if required during the day.

 To suggest candidates, supervising Professors should complete the form below and return it to Harriet Bigas, Manager for Research Partnerships at harriet@sowc.ca no later than Friday December 2^nd.