Have you ever wondered what happens to the tiny, unseen microbes that work tirelessly to clean our wastewater when the seasons change, or when the climate itself starts to shift? As climate change continues to reshape the world around us, its impacts extend far beyond melting ice caps and rising sea levels. The changing climateContinue reading “When Climate and Seasons Shift: How Microbes Keep Constructed Wetlands Alive”
Tag Archives: Waterside Chat
Rethinking Chemical Risk Assessment: Incorporating Dynamics into the Dose-Dependant Paradigm
As water professionals, we share a common goal: to preserve water quality. We work hard to understand hazards and assess risks using pollution guidelines, in order to prevent harm to humans and the environment. This raises an important question: how are these guidelines derived, and are they truly protective? As Young Water Professionals, we learnContinue reading “Rethinking Chemical Risk Assessment: Incorporating Dynamics into the Dose-Dependant Paradigm”
What is Water?
So I was asked to write a blog post about water. As an environmental engineer specializing in research of an aquatic contaminant, I thought it would be easy enough for me, right? Wrong. Water means many things. As an environmental engineer, water often refers to something with undesirable qualities, like sewage, that needs to beContinue reading “What is Water?”
My Journey to Becoming a Wastewater Engineer
When I was seven, my hometown, Wuxi, faced a crisis of blue-green algal blooms. This environmental issue sparked my curiosity about the mechanisms behind such crises. However, it wasn’t until I entered Duke Kunshan University (DKU) as an undergraduate, that I discovered environmental science as a field of study. As a liberal arts college, DKUContinue reading “My Journey to Becoming a Wastewater Engineer”
The Importance of Continual Development
I work at EPCOR Water Services at the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant in Edmonton, Alberta. I recently attended the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), hosted in New Orleans. It was an amazing experience, and I encourage young water professionals (YWPs) to take advantage of such opportunities when they present themselves. ProfessionalContinue reading “The Importance of Continual Development”
Navigating the Water Industry: Embracing Change and Discovering Your Passion
As a young professional in the water industry, I often reflect on my journey of professional development. Over the past seven years, I’ve transitioned between five major roles: wastewater consulting, transportation infrastructure consulting, stormwater management consulting, flood risk management with a conservation authority, municipal planning for linear infrastructure, and finally, back to wastewater consulting. IContinue reading “Navigating the Water Industry: Embracing Change and Discovering Your Passion”
How to find your research interests
As a Master student who switched majors, I had a really hard time pinpointing my academic interests and future path. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, a subject focusing on understanding the environment and geographical changes. For example, I studied hydrology, ecology, and the most interesting, isotope dating. Indeed, we also hadContinue reading “How to find your research interests “
“Interdisciplinary Approaches to Water Research”
Every morning, I take the Edmonton city train across the Kisiskāciwani-sīpiy (North Saskatchewan River), and I thank the river. I thank it for providing me with water to drink, cook, and clean with. I thank it for recreation, for its strength, and for the lessons it teaches me; I think of all the connections overContinue reading ““Interdisciplinary Approaches to Water Research” “
Waterside chat with Jaime Boutilier
IWA YWP Canada held a great waterside chat event today with Jaime Boutilier, P.ENG, PMP. Jaime shared her career path and experiences in the water sector with us and gave invaluable advice to YWPs. She emphasized the importance of volunteer work, management skills, communication skills, teamwork. planning & organization for the YWPs who are in their early career and how to improve thoseContinue reading “Waterside chat with Jaime Boutilier”
WaterSide Chat with Dr. Elbeshbishy
Our waterside chat with Dr. Elsayed Elbeshbishy was a resounding success! We had YWPs tuning in from Canada, the UK, and India. We are certain that everyone walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm! Here are a few pointers from his session that we enjoyed:-Have a positive outlook and don’t shy away from workingContinue reading “WaterSide Chat with Dr. Elbeshbishy”
IWA YWP Canada 