Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions (AI-EES) has announced the selection of 18 research projects for funding. The projects focus on a variety of water-related concerns, such as safe drinking water, healthy aquatic ecosystems, and reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy. Each of the projects will receive a maximum of $10 million as part of the provincial government’s Water for Life program.
Amongst the selections are several University of Alberta projects, a trio of University of Calgary projects, and propositions from WaterSMART Solutions, the University of Lethbridge, the University of Regina, the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The projects will touch a wide range of subjects, from wetland sustainability, to water quality perception amongst rural Albertans, to investigations into the occurrence of pesticide in groundwater.
“With a growing population and expanding economy, it is critical that Alberta has accurate, reliable and useful information and a suite of practical approaches for managing our water resources,” said Eddy Isaacs, CEO of AI-EES in a press release. “These projects will provide the crucial information we need to support an actionable strategy for safe, secure and sustainable water for Albertans.”
AI-EES based its considerations on three key areas: water security, risk and vulnerability; watershed stewardship and ecosystem management; and increased conservation, efficiency, and productivity of surface water and groundwater use.
