Education Session #1A Hydrology and Environmental Systems & Predicting and mitigating human impact on water  

1. 10:15Towards Modeling Hydrological Processes of Boreal Wetlands: A Comprehensive Intercomparison of Three Land Surface ModelsDanqiong Dai

   The Canadian and Alaskan boreal zones represent one of the most water-rich areas globally, with diverse wetland ecosystems serving as crucial hydrological regulators. However, the distinctive characteristics of these environments pose significant challenges for land surface modeling.

   This study presents the first comprehensive intercomparison of three leading land surface models (LSMs) – Noah-MP, Community Land Model (CLM), and Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASSIC) – specifically evaluated in boreal forest wetland ecosystems. We assessed model performance using observational data from six representative sites across this region over a multi-year period, focusing on key hydrological processes including soil moisture dynamics, water table fluctuation, and soil thermal profiles. All models exhibited notable deficiencies in representing the complex hydrological connectivity characteristic of these wetland-dominated landscapes. This intercomparison provides crucial insights for improving model parameterizations specific to boreal wetlands, enhancing our capacity to predict their responses to climate change and their role in regional and global water cycles.

   Our findings highlight the need for a refined representation of lateral water flow, freeze-thaw dynamics, and vegetation-water interactions in LSMs to better capture the unique hydrological processes of boreal wetland ecosystems.
2. 10:54Physics-Guided Time Series Forecasting of Lake Surface Temperature at Stannard Rock Using LSTM Networks Souvik Ta

   Accurate forecasting of lake surface temperatures is essential for understanding freshwater ecosystem dynamics, managing water resources, and assessing regional climate impacts. Stannard Rock, a remote deep-water monitoring station in Lake Superior, provides high-resolution meteorological and lake temperature data, enabling detailed analysis of lake-atmosphere interactions. While Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks have shown promise in capturing complex temporal patterns, they often lack physical interpretability and may struggle with sparse or incomplete data, especially during winter. In this study, we develop a physics-guided LSTM model tailored for forecasting daily lake surface temperatures at Stannard Rock. The model integrates local meteorological forcings—shortwave radiation, air temperature, wind speed, and longwave radiation—measured at the Stannard Rock buoy.

   To promote physical consistency, we introduce a hybrid loss function that combines mean squared error with a penalty derived from the lake surface energy balance equation. This constraint penalizes deviations in heat flux dynamics, encouraging predictions that approximately conserve energy in accordance with thermodynamic principles. Temporal encodings are incorporated to capture seasonal variability. Initial training and validation are performed using a direct forecasting strategy, with seasonal data splits planned for future analyses. Model performance will be assessed using Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and other time series accuracy metrics.

   This methodology contributes to the growing field of physics-guided machine learning by embedding domain knowledge into data-driven models, offering a pathway to more interpretable and physically consistent forecasts of inland water dynamics.
3. 11:15Microplastics in Croplands: Can Agricultural Practices Contribute to Pollution? Clara Cornet

   The widespread use of plastic mulch films in agriculture has significantly enhanced crop yields, yet it has also introduced pressing environmental challenges. Over time, these films degrade due to weathering, leading to the release of microplastics into soil ecosystems. These particles can infiltrate deeper soil layers or leach into nearby water sources, raising concerns about long-term contamination. While biodegradable mulch films are often promoted as a sustainable alternative, few studies have directly compared their environmental footprint against conventional plastic mulches.

   This study investigates the fate of both film types in food crop production at a field site in Quebec, Canada. Soil samples from different depths underwent size fractionation (>4 mm, 4–1 mm) for microplastic extraction and quantification. The biodegradable mulch plots contained significantly higher microplastic concentrations (~2800 particles/kg dry soil) compared to conventional mulch (~1000 particles/kg dry soil). Polymer analysis identified poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (40%) and polyethylene (31%) as dominant, reflecting the materials used in the films.

   However, nearly 30% of detected plastic originated from external sources, such as packaging waste and agro-textiles. Additionally, long-term exposure in soil increased the hydrophilicity of polyethylene, potentially altering its environmental fate. Further research is underway to assess the impact of smaller microplastics.

   By shedding light on the persistence and transformation of mulch film residues in agricultural soils, this study provides critical insights for policymakers and farmers seeking to balance productivity with environmental responsibility.
4. 11:28Sludge Dewatering Efficiency and Sustainability Mariem Abdellatif

   Sludge dewatering is a critical operation in municipal wastewater treatment, directly impacting transport costs, disposal volume, and downstream processing (Hyrycz et al., 2022). Flocculants, particularly cationic polymers, are commonly used to enhance dewatering by promoting particle aggregation. However, both polymer characteristics and sludge composition influence performance. Additionally, the quality of the water released during dewatering, including residual polymer content, can affect discharge compliance and sustainability. Despite their widespread use, the optimal polymer dose and its relationship to both dewatering efficiency and chemical residuals in the water from the dewatering process remain poorly defined.

   Here we show that increasing cationic polymer dose (70, 90, and 110 mg/L) initially improves dewatering outcomes, but overdosing beyond the optimal point leads to increased capillary suction time (CST) and a decline in dewatering performance. These effects were associated with elevated polymer residuals, particularly at lower sludge solid concentrations where overdosing had the most pronounced impact. A full UV scan (185–400 nm) revealed a consistent absorbance peak at 190 nm, which was used to build calibration curves via linear regression (R² > 0.98). Calibration curves will be tested to quantify residual polymer in both pure polymer solutions and water from the dewatering process. Increasing dose correlated with higher UV absorbance, less negative zeta potential values, and elevated CST and turbidity, providing a robust framework for detecting chemical overdose and predicting dewatering performance.

   These findings support the combined use of CST, UV absorbance, and zeta potential as an integrated monitoring tool. More broadly, optimizing polymer dosing reduces chemical waste, supports compliance with discharge standards, and improves overall process sustainability. By lowering sludge moisture content, optimized dosing also reduces sludge volume, minimizing transportation and disposal costs while enabling easier downstream valorization with fewer truck movements and a lower carbon footprint.
5. 11:41Strategic Design of a Retention Basin to Manage Flash Flood Along the Coastal Region of Bangladesh: A Case Study of Adaptation Technology at Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar. Shafayet Ullah Nayeem

   The flash flood risk in Chakaria Upazila, located downstream of the hilly terrains and flowing toward the coastal belt of Bangladesh, is intensifying due to climate variability, erratic rainfall, poor drainage, and inadequate flood infrastructure. In August 2023, a devastating flash flood impacted over 480,000 people, caused multiple fatalities and resulted in infrastructural damage exceeding BDT 1.4 billion. To mitigate such disasters, a strategically located retention basin has been proposed along the Matamuhuri River—a steep-gradient river originating from nearby mountains.

   The basin’s design, informed by GIS-based DEM analysis, incorporates bypass canals and regulated flow control, offering a nature-based, adaptive solution for future flood resilience. The basin measures 4,518 ft in length, 1,506 ft in width, and 30 ft in depth, providing a total water holding capacity of 190,580,225 cubic feet. A side slope of 2:1 ensures structural stability and ease of construction. Additionally, inflow and outflow channel lengths of 675 ft and 570 ft, respectively, are designed with regulators to control water levels efficiently. Calculations reveal that this basin will significantly reduce peak flow rates during heavy rainfall, protecting over 100,000 residents and 20,000 households from future flash flood events. Upstream of Chakaria Upazila Centre will be also be protected from flash floods.

   The proposed retention basin aligns with sustainable flood management principles and contributes to achieving SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, and 16, enhancing water security and community resilience in Chakaria Upazila.
6. 11:54 The impact of downscaling choices on glacier mass loss projections in western Canada Christina Draeger

   Projecting glacier mass balance at regional scales requires translating coarse-resolution climate data to glacier-relevant scales. While statistical downscaling is computationally efficient, it relies on stationary empirical relationships. Dynamical downscaling provides physically consistent fields but is resource-intensive. Hybrid downscaling—combining both—offers a promising yet underexplored alternative for glacier modeling.

   This study evaluates hybrid downscaling for projecting glacier mass changes across western Canada. Climate projections from a global climate model are dynamically downscaled using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model under four CMIP6 scenarios. The WRF output then trains two statistical downscaling methods—a simple bias correction and a neural network—using two training strategies: one based on present-day (2015–2024) data only, and one combining present-day and late-century (2090–2099) data. These climate fields drive a glacier evolution model with a surface energy balance melt scheme to simulate mass loss from 2025 to 2100.

   Results show that glaciers in western Canada are projected to lose 45–66 % of their current mass by 2100, with the highest losses in the Interior (72–86 %) and the lowest in the St. Elias Mountains (26–53 %). The dominant source of projection uncertainty shifts over time: statistical downscaling method dominates early-century uncertainty (70 %), while emission scenario becomes more important later (58 %). Although training strategy has limited overall impact, it contributes up to 20 % of the uncertainty in the Rocky Mountains. These findings highlight the scale dependence of downscaling uncertainties and the need for robust downscaling approaches to support watershed-scale impact assessments.

Education Session #1B Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene & Predicting and mitigating human impact on water

1. 10:15 Resource Reduction in Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Alice Gentleman

   Access to safely managed drinking water services (SMDWS) is vital for public health. Drinking water quality monitoring (DWQM) improves access to SMDWS by informing decision-makers of current conditions. DWQM through membrane filtration is resource-intensive; therefore, alternative methods are essential to expanding capacity. Reusable monitoring kits such as Wagtech employ formaldehyde gas to decontaminate funnels; however, this technology has yet to be validated. Additionally, reusing single-use pre-sterilized funnels has been proposed to further reduce waste and resource use.

   We assessed both methods under laboratory and field conditions. Wagtech decontamination followed manufacturer guidelines, while single-use funnels were decontaminated via a 70% alcohol spray (‘Spritz’ method). The assessment of decontamination efficacy followed a published protocol for funnel decontamination with alcohol wipes. Fieldwork was conducted in Nicaragua (June 2023) and Colombia (May 2025) for the ‘Spritz’ method and in Colorado (April 2025) for Wagtech.

   Lab results showed that the Spritz method achieved a 2-log reduction after deliberate Escherichia coli contamination. Assessment of alcohol residuals and the reproducibility of spikes through consecutive samples at 53 E. coli CFU/100 mL (95% CI: 46–60) showed no statistically significant differences between enumerations ( = 0.05), indicating no adverse effects of the ‘Spritz’ method on consecutive tests.

   Field assessments found fewer than 2% of blanks tested positive, consistent with baseline results. Wagtech achieved less than a 1-log reduction; further field assessments will evaluate its effectiveness under more typical conditions. Funnel decontamination presents a viable strategy to reduce resource use, minimize environmental impact, and enhance DWQM in low-resource settings.
2. 10:28 Molecular Methods for Climate Mitigation in Non-Sewered Sanitation Kelsey Shaw

   Non-sewered sanitation (NSS) systems play a critical role in public health and environmental sustainability, yet their contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remain underexplored. This study employed molecular microbiology to assess the methanogenic potential and microbial community dynamics of septic tank sludge, with implications for climate mitigation.

   Sludge samples were collected from Kampala, Uganda, and analyzed using specific methanogenic activity (SMA) tests with acetate and fresh feces/urine substrates to evaluate methane production potential. These results were further correlated with in-situ microbial community characterization through quantitative PCR (qPCR) and DNA/RNA sequencing (metagenomics and meta transcriptomics). By integrating molecular techniques with engineering approaches, we aim to elucidate how microbial processes drive methane emissions in NSS systems.

   Preliminary findings suggest distinct microbial community compositions and functions influencing methanogenesis, providing key insights into the microbial ecology of non-sewered sanitation systems. Understanding these dynamics is essential for assessing the need for interventions that reduce methane emissions while maintaining effective equity in access to this basic human right: access to improved sanitation and waste treatment.

   This research highlights the importance of molecular microbiology in climate mitigation efforts, offering a deeper understanding of non-sewered sanitation associated GHG emissions. By characterizing the microbiome in NSS, we can inform the development of sustainable, low-emission sanitation solutions that bridge public health and climate resilience. This interdisciplinary approach underscores the need for targeted mitigation strategies to reduce the climate impact of sanitation infrastructure in rapidly urbanizing regions.
3. 10:41 Investigation of Biological Aerated Filtration (BAF) for cBOD and Ammonia Removal from Wastewater Anita Larbi

   The objective of this study is to evaluate at bench-scale the performance of biological aerated filtration (BAF) for cBOD5 and ammonia removal from chemically enhanced primary treatment effluent. The tested set up included a control system operating as a single stage BAF reactor and a dual stage set up with two BAF reactors connected in series to increase the HRT and provide favorable conditions for ammonia removal.

   The reactor influent and effluent were measured for conventional water quality parameters (cBOD5, nutrients, particulates, UVT) and microbial communities were analyzed by DNA sequencing and qPCR. BAF was able to significantly remove cBOD5 from 45-55 mg/L to 18-30 mg/L and 9-15mg/L in the single and dual stage reactors, respectively; however, only the dual stage reactor consistently achieved cBOD5 < 25 mg/L. Furthermore, at steady state, ammonia removal in the single stage reactor and first dual stage was low (0-17%), while removal in the second dual stage reactor was significantly greater (42-64%). DNA sequencing and qPCR showed the presence of commonly known ammonia oxidizing bacteria and nitrite oxidizing bacteria in the reactors, with a higher abundance in the second dual stage reactor.

   This study highlights the capabilities of BAF for secondary treatment in space-limited facilities where process intensification is required. Further research is underway to examine the impact of low temperatures and high conductivity on contaminant removal in BAF systems to provide greater context for use of the technology in Atlantic Canada.
4. 10:54 Subsidy for pit emptying and toilet construction services in Kampala: a model of inclusive sanitation Sharon Nakigudde

   In many urban informal settlements, access to safe and affordable sanitation remains a critical challenge, where financial constraints force households to rely on unsafe practices. In Kampala, 84.5% of residents depend on onsite sanitation making effective faecal sludge management essential.

   To address this, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) introduced a subsidy program for pit emptying and toilet construction to enable low-income households to access safe services through cost-sharing mechanisms. This model leverages public-private and digital platforms. Targeted subsidies cover up to 80% of pit emptying and toilet construction costs, making professional sanitation services affordable for vulnerable communities. Since its inception, the program has facilitated over 5,000 safe pit emptying sessions and supported 155 landlords in constructing standardized sanitation facilities. These efforts have resulted in reduction in illegal sludge dumping and open defecation, the safe management of faecal sludge, and increased private sector engagement. However, challenges such as limited funding, infrastructure gaps, and behavioural resistance remain.

   Key lessons from this initiative highlight the importance of digital integration, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and continuous sensitization to ensure long-term sustainability. The Kampala subsidy model showcases how policy interventions and technology can enhance sanitation access, offering a scalable solution for urban challenges.
5. 11:15Drinking water systems adaptation to climate change from source to tap: How to encourage the use of decision support systems Cynthia Compaoré

   Rising temperatures and variations of precipitations patterns associated with climate changes may have significant consequences on drinking water systems (DWSs). Source water quality is highly threatened by climate changes. For example, heavy rainfall is known to increase natural organic matter (NOM) and microbiological pollution in raw waters. Decision support systems (DSSs) can be useful for adaptation to the effects of climate change on water quality. However, few practitioners use them.

   The objective of this research is to assess the interest and capacity to use DSSs for adaptation to climate change consequences on source water quality, treatment plant operations and water quality management in the distribution network. To this end, about thirty municipality participants volunteered for serious games designed in the form of hypothetical scenarios to assess the use of DSSs for climate change adaptation concerning water quality protection. Each scenario presented a DSS to allow adaptation to a climatic hazard. After the presentation of each scenario, a discussion was held with the participants about the potential applications of DSSs and the contribution of serious games for favoring the use of such DSSs. Results suggest the rising-up of awareness concerning the need for preventive adaptation based on an informed decision support process and better cooperation between drinking water management stakeholders.

   The research shows serious games could be an effective way for raising awareness on the aggravated risks to drinking water quality posed by climate change. Serious games can also be helpful to promote the use of DSSs for drinking water systems adaptation to climate change.
6. 11:28Microbiome and Resistome within a First Nation Community and its Surrounding Aquatic Ecosystem in Manitoba, Canada Md Moniruzzaman

   Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health in this century. Each year, AMR leads directly and indirectly to 1.27 and 5 million deaths worldwide, respectively. Water represents the primary route of spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria, residues of antibiotics, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Waterborne infections in First Nation (FN) communities are 26 times higher than the national average.

   In this context, studies of microbiomes within aquatic ecosystems of First Nation communities of Canada are uncommon. My main objectives are: 1. Evaluating the impact of seasonal variations and treatment disruptions in Oxidation Lagoons of FN communities on the microbiological quality of downstream source waters and to develop markers of aquatic health, 2. Assessing the role of the resistome using functional metagenomics, and 3. Examining the effects of disinfection procedures on phages and ARG-carrying phages during UV-treatment disinfection. High molecular weight DNA is extracted and used for sequence- and function-based metagenomics to reveal taxa and ARGs from these environmental samples. The use of Oxford Nanopore Technology provides longer sequences and thus more informative reads.

   In the present study, I have sequenced 84 (42 phage + 42 bacteria) samples and got around 700 GB of raw data after sequencing. I am now analyzing this data using different bioinformatic tools like NanoFilt, Prokka, Centrifuge, geNomad, CheckV, Kraken2, RGI-CARD, among others. Our research findings may guide future water monitoring and treatment processes within FN communities to minimize the release of resistant pathogens into the most valuable natural resource, water.
7. 11:41 Microbial Removal in Septic Systems: A Scoping Review Maria Eloisa Sia

   There is growing evidence that septic system treatment performance is inadequate for protecting groundwater supplies from contamination. Approximately 50 million people in the United States and Canada use conventional septic systems, with about 25% of the global population served by septic variants. Conventional systems have a soil drainage area (SDA) component, intended as the last wastewater treatment barrier prior to discharge.

   The objective of this research was to synthesize data from the literature on SDA performance in terms of bacterial removal and identify knowledge gaps. We conducted a systematic scoping review. Articles that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria from six databases were used for data extraction and synthesis. Only 19 studies met our inclusion criteria and reported influent and effluent concentrations for bacteria through experimental or field SDAs. Soil-based wastewater treatment log removal capabilities ranged from 1.0 to 5.2 for total coliforms (n = 4) and 1.0 to 4.8 for fecal coliforms (n = 9). There was a limited number of lab and field studies that reported log removal values for Escherichia coli and Enterococci spp., with a reported range of 1.0 to 2.7 (n = 3) and 0.4 to 2.5 (n = 3), respectively. No studies measured log removal values for bacterial pathogens, and all relied on fecal indicators (e.g., non-pathogenic Escherichia coli). Wastewater effluent concentrations for bacteria following soil percolation consistently exceeded a median of 1,000 CFU per 100 mL (coliforms), well above most jurisdictions’ recreational water quality standards, let alone drinking water.

   Preliminary results from this scoping review suggests that SDA treatment performances are inadequate and could be posing a risk to public health for those relying on untreated groundwater. The dataset from this review can inform future lab and field experiments, as well as provide insights on potential health risks posed by septic systems.
8. 11:54Design and Performance Evaluation of Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) – Anaerobic Filter (AF) for Sustainable Fecal Sludge Treatment Nida Maqbool

   This study evaluates the performance of a novel fecal sludge treatment system combining an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) and an Anaerobic Filter (AF). The ABR was operated at four hydraulic retention times (HRTs: 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours), achieving chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 65%, 68%, 70%, and 72%, respectively. The AF, tested at the optimized HRT of 36 hours, utilized a combination of three filtration media: stone (114 mm), gravel (114 mm), and rubber pellets (114 mm).

   The integrated system demonstrated significant removal efficiencies for key pollutants, with COD, volatile suspended solids (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal rates of 78%, 65%, 71%, and 74%, respectively. However, lower removal efficiencies were observed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) at 25% and total phosphorus (TP) at 35%.

   The results highlight the system’s effectiveness in treating fecal sludge, particularly for organic matter removal, while indicating the need for further optimization to enhance nutrient removal. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of ABR-AF systems for sustainable fecal sludge management, offering a promising solution for decentralized wastewater treatment in resource and land area-constrained settings.

Education Session #2A Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene

1. 2:05 Three-year performance evaluation of fecal sludge treatment technologies in Rohingya refugee camps Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury

   Effective fecal sludge management is critical in densely populated refugee camps to mitigate environmental and public health risks. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh—the world’s largest refugee settlement—approximately 45,000 latrines and over 188 fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs), including temporary emergency plants, have been constructed to provide essential sanitation services for nearly one million Rohingya refugees. While previous studies have assessed the performance of various fecal sludge treatment technologies using short-term monitoring data and compliance with discharge guidelines, it is equally important to evaluate whether these technologies meet their design criteria and treatment objectives or if existing discharge thresholds exceed their technological capacities. This includes assessing their long-term performance under high-strength fecal sludge loads, considering key quality parameters.

   This study will conduct a three-year (2022–2024) evaluation of effluent quality data from 167 operational FSTPs utilizing nine different treatment technologies. The assessment focuses on pollutant removal efficiency and compliance with design expectations for key physicochemical and microbiological parameters, integrating global evidence from other informal settings. The methodology includes data collection, sorting, and statistical analysis, incorporating descriptive statistics and efficiency assessments to compare observed performance against technology-specific design objectives.

   Findings from this study will provide the world’s largest data-driven insights for humanitarian agencies and policymakers, helping to optimize sanitation strategies in complex humanitarian contexts. Additionally, the study will support the Cox’s Bazar WASH Sector and the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Bangladesh in collaborating with implementing partners to enhance treatment quality through operational improvements and technological upgrades.
2. 2:18 Methane production from wastewater from corn nixtamalization Mónica González Castañeda

   The Wasted Water generated for the nixtamalization process of corn represent discharge equivalent to 15% of total municipal wastewater discharges in the country, in other words, 60,000 m3 of nejayote water effluent is discharged into water bodies without prior treatment, which increases the pollution of receiving bodies. This wastewater is characterized by heaving a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), elevated temperature levels, pH, and suspended solids.

   The aim of this study was to treat the wastewater from nixtamalization in order to obtaining biogas as a byproduct. To achieve the project objectives, a 20L laboratory-scale UASB reactor was constructed and inoculated with a 1:1 ratio of pig and bovine manure. The system´s performance was monitored to ensure a favorable response during the different treatment stages. Control parameters such as pH, alkalinity, alpha ratio, hydraulic retention time, and COD removal, were used, which allowed for the evaluation of the reactor´s performance. The reactor was operated for 146 days, achieving and 72% COD removal rate, an average pH of 5.63, alkalinity of 3902 mg/L CaCo3, a gas volume of 2 L, and biogas yield of 0.08m3 biogas per kg of COD removed, these values withing the recommends range for anaerobic treatments, and the gas composition was 66.36 % CH4 and 33.64 CO2.
3. 2:31 Impact of 3D-Printed Biocarrier Geometry on Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor Performance Vardhman Lunawat

   A novel physically engineered biocarrier (D) for moving bed biofilm reactor process – ring (20 mm dia, 4 mm depth) with honeycomb infill (4 mm pore size) – was developed using 3D printing technology. The influence of media shape, size, surface area, and specific surface area was studied using institutional (university) wastewater (WW), comparing with commercial biocarrier Hel-X 13 Biomedium (H). Using 500 mL reactor volume and filling ratio of 20%, organic loading rate (OLR) was increased from 1.9 ± 0.3 to 5.8 ± 1.3 kg COD/(m³∙d) by increasing WW flowrate, and dissolved oxygen of 5-6 mg/L was maintained.

   Throughout the study, both carriers showed similar COD removal efficiencies: 86.3% and 87%, respectively. However, BOD5 removal (determined at maximum applied OLR of 5.8 ± 1.3 kg-COD/(m³.d), correspondingly with 1.85 hours HRT) with H was 88.6% vs. 94.0% in D. Maximum applied surface specific OLRs were markedly different with 22.3 ± 4.4 and 136.5 ± 27.6 g-COD/(m².d) for H and D, respectively. At the end of the study period, total dry biomass was determined, with H accumulating 5.7 g and D with 0.42 g. However, both biocarriers showed comparable performance during substrate uptake rate studies. Both reactors showed 30-40% reduction in total nitrogen attributable to simultaneous nitrification-denitrification and primarily influenced by organics content in the feed water. Structural variations and differences in pore sizes gave thin biofilms in D, which could have facilitated better access to substrates and oxygen in its biofilms, in turn leading to enhanced performance of D.
4. 3:05Water, Blood, and Justice: Understanding Water Justice as a Menstrual Justice Issue in Canada Emma Cowman

   Menstrual justice is deeply interconnected with water justice, yet these topics remain largely siloed in policy and research – particularly in Canada, where water access is often assumed to be a non-issue. However, existing literature reveals that inadequate water and infrastructure significantly affects menstrual hygiene, dignity, and health. While much of the research on menstrual health focuses on the Global South, the reality of water injustice for menstruators in Canada remains overlooked. Unhoused individuals, incarcerated populations, Indigenous communities, and those living in rural, remote, and on-reserve communities experience water insecurity alongside limited or costly access to menstrual supplies. Without reliable and safe water and hygiene resources, menstruators face heightened risks to their health and safety, while also being denied the ability to manage their monthly cycles with dignity.

   Through an analysis and synthesis of the existing literature, this presentation will highlight the interconnections between menstrual and water justice in the Canadian context, examining how water shortages, boil water advisories, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and the inaccessibility of menstrual products create significant barriers to achieving menstrual justice. These issues are further contextualized within the broader structures of settler-colonialism, patriarchy, racism, and capitalism, illustrating how systemic inequities shape access to water and the experiences of menstruation.

   By drawing on existing literature to highlight these overlooked intersections, this research calls for a gender-inclusive approach to water justice, as one that acknowledges the essential role of water and hygiene in ensuring menstruators can manage their cycles safely, equitably, and with dignity.
5. 3:18Sustainable Water Resource Management: Duplicating the Wastewater Treatment Mini-Station of the Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock for a Hammam in Dar Bouazza, Morocco Nihad Chakri

   In response to the growing scarcity of water resources in Morocco in recent years, the use of unconventional water sources has become essential. While significant progress has been made in urban sanitation, rural and peri-urban areas, characterized by scattered housing and limited accessibility, still lack adequate infrastructure.

   This study aims to replicate the wastewater treatment and reuse model developed at the Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock (FSAC) for a traditional peri-urban hammam in the municipality of Dar Bouazza, near Casablanca. This initiative is part of the Eco-Hammam project, which seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of traditional hammams, particularly their excessive and uncontrolled consumption of water and wood energy.

   To achieve this goal, a comprehensive environmental assessment of all hammams in Dar Bouazza was conducted. Additionally, a feasibility study was carried out to evaluate the potential for implementing the FSAC mini-station model to treat wastewater from the selected pilot hammam, My Yacoub II.
6. 3:31 Exploring the resistome and phageome within an urban freshwater ecosystem of Manitoba Ze Long Fung

   Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a keystone in public health management, as they mitigate the environmental impact of wastewater, a medium for antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG) dissemination via horizontal gene transfer. Factors such as misuse of antibiotics, global population growth, and improper sanitation practices have contributed to the overall increase in morbidity and mortality associated with antimicrobial resistance.

   Within this context, we aim to examine the environmental impact on the aquatic microbiome of the North End Sewage Treatment Plant (NESTP) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the largest WWTP in the province serving over 500,000 inhabitants. Samples of wastewater were collected from the plant every two months from September 2022 to September 2024; they were collected at various stages of the treatment process while environmental samples were taken from the Red River upstream of the city as a control. Samples were subject to serial filtration to separate bacterial and phage fractions for DNA extraction. Sequence-based metagenomics was conducted using Nanopore sequencing technology. Various databases and bioinformatics tools will be used for ARG analysis. For a time-series analysis, we will also be examining physico-biochemical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH, among others. So far, we have found evidence of putative ARGs in our extracted DNA and that average DNA concentration is lower in phage compared to bacterial fractions; however, further analysis is still ongoing.

   This project aims to generate a microbial fingerprint of the NESTP and use ARGs as biomarkers of aquatic health, guiding future authorities in wastewater management policy.
7. 3:44“Indigenous Lepcha communities” resistance against Hydro dams to save their Sacred and Holy Land in Himalayan mountains  Minket Lepcha

   The Indigenous Lepcha community from the Himalayan foothills of Sikkim and Darjeeling believes in Konchen Chu (Lepcha name for Khangchendzonga) – the third-highest mountain in the world. This mountain is an important water tower giving birth to rivers of South Asia. Lepcha community’s narratives revolve around this snowy peak giving birth to the folklore of River Teesta. Travelling the landscapes through a poster, I will narrate the ephemeral love story of rivers Rongnue and Rongeet recounting their quarrel causing a huge flood in the landscape.

   With hydro energy being one projected as a green energy source for the development of any given State, the rush for these projects has impacted many communities especially indigenous communities. Indigenous communities also has been existing based on the region defined by nature and its own bioregion operating beyond the geographical boundaries set by political status. In an era of neoliberalism, the colonialism structure of the administration if the state fuelled by same education system has led to ontological difference of the grassroot movements which has often led to power politics within the state.

   With this context, I will bring into the spotlight the Teesta Flood of October 4, 2023, and the washing away of 1200 MW dam in upper Sikkim. Although hydropower development in the Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills has been projected as a flourishing economic development of the millennium, there still exist local level tension, making such development projects contested and conflict ridden. I aim to weave the traditional Lepcha worldview with scientific relevance, reaffirming the law of governance present within the marginalized Lepcha community and reminding the interconnectedness present in the disastrous flood of the River Teesta.

Education Session #2B Innovation and technology for future water

1. 2:05 Cationic cellulose fibers as a floc-bridging agent for robust removal of turbidity and dissolved contaminants during wastewater treatment Owen Armstrong

   Wastewater management is increasingly challenged by refractory emerging contaminants and rising water demand, which place significant strain on conventional treatment methods. The coagulation-flocculation process remains highly susceptible to variations in influent water conditions, such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, and turbidity.

   Recent studies have shown that super-bridging cellulose fibers can improve turbidity removal by facilitating floc maturation when used in conjunction with traditional coagulants and flocculants. However, the potential for functionalizing these fibers and evaluating their effectiveness under varying influent conditions, particularly for the removal of dissolved contaminants, remains largely unexplored. In this study, recycled cellulose fibers are functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups, imparting a positive charge that significantly improves turbidity removal when used as a super-bridging agent. Under standard conditions where conventional treatment reduces turbidity from 60 to 25 NTU, the addition of 150 mg/L of cationic fibers lowers the effluent turbidity to 3 NTU, an improvement of nearly 90%. The fiber-based technology is robust with regards to the influent condition. Notably, cationic fibers maintain settled turbidity below 4 NTU across all pH levels tested, whereas the conventional method fails to reduce turbidity below 60 NTU above pH 7.7. The modified fibers also enhance heavy metal removal, significantly reducing the concentration of contaminants such as Cr, Pb, Cd, and Zn. After 30 seconds of settling, pristine and cationic fiber-enhanced treatments remove 39.4% and 52.9% of trace metals, respectively, compared to just 13.7% with the conventional method.
2. 2:18 Enhancing Oxygen Transfer Efficiency in Textile Effluent Treatment Plants Through Influent Wastewater Cooling: An Experimental Approach Md. Siamul Hoque

   Global demand for textiles and readymade garments is rising, causing increased energy consumption and, therefore, higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with wastewater treatment identified as a critical challenge for factories due to Effluent Treatment Plants’ (ETPs) energy-intensive aeration processes. Bangladesh, being the world’s second largest apparel exporter, generates significant amounts of high-temperature wastewater through thousands of textile factories all over the country. Effluent Treatment Plants’ (ETPs) generally require a large amount of energy in their aeration process, which is over 50% of the total plant’s energy consumption, due to the high temperature of the influent wastewater and low oxygen transfer rate (OTR). This research incorporated developing and evaluating a low-cost physical cooling model that aimed to reduce the influent wastewater temperature.

   The effectiveness of the models was evaluated by 26 experimental trials across three different influent flow rates of wastewater. The plotted data and its linear trend line (R²= 0.96) demonstrate a strong relationship between temperature and oxygen transfer rate (OTR). The results show that a temperature reduction of influent wastewater by 10-20°C is associated with a notable increase in OTR and that all different flow rates increased OTR efficiency by over 24% compared to the influent wastewater that did not undergo the model.

   These findings indicate that integrating this energy-efficient mechanism into existing ETP systems can substantially lower energy consumption and operational expenses, encouraging factories to align with Bangladesh’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), mitigate GHG emissions, and improve wastewater quality.
3. 2:31 Floating Treatment Wetland Nutrient Uptake Efficiency on the Salmon River Margot Webster

   Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) were constructed and installed in the natural environment on a river of interior British Columbia. The Salmon River, in Salmon Arm BC, contains high nutrient concentrations from an agriculturally dense region that are likely to contribute to algal blooms on the downstream Shuswap Lake.

   Two FTW experimental sites were set up along the lower Salmon River for one summer season to evaluate (1) the effectiveness of three native aquatic macrophyte species at nutrient uptake: Typha latifolia (CT), Carex aquatilis (WS) and Deschampsia cespitosa; (2) investigate whether nutrient uptake rates differ throughout the growing season; (3) determine whether FTWs impact water quality of the Salmon River and (4) observe whether there are ecological co-benefits from FTWs. The experiment was conducted from June until September. This mountainous region has freshet, high flows from snow melt, in spring that determined project installation timing, and September was predicted to be the beginning of senescence to conclude the study.

   This study evaluates monthly water quality samples, monthly wildlife observations and plant tissue samples taken early summer (July) and end of summer (September). Statistical analysis used non-parametric comparison tests to evaluate differences in upstream to downstream water quality, differences in July to September plant tissue concentrations, and differences between plant species and tissues. Plant tissue concentrations showed no increase in nutrient concentrations in leaf or root material of any macrophyte. However, absolute nutrient amounts were not assessed in this study and may result from the dilution effect or nutrient loss pathways. Nitrogen concentrations and uptake rates did not significantly differ by species, however WS had the highest median at -1.423 mg/day. Phosphorus concentrations and uptake rates differed by all species: CT released the least at -0.295 mg P/day, next was WS at -0.829 mg P/day, and THG released the most at -1.263 mg P/day.

   The effectiveness of FTW nutrient uptake differed by the time of season with significant changes found only in July for measurements assessed for July to September. Nitrate appears to have leeched into the river in July from the FTWs but was not significant likely due to too small of a data set. Water quality of the Salmon River significantly decreased in the month of July, where downstream to upstream concentrations were 96.2% for total ammonia, 87.7% for orthophosphate, and a slight increase in dissolved oxygen (%) to 100.3%.
4. 2:44 Functional Fibers for the Sustainable Removal of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Wastewater Masashi Kaneda

   Water pollution by microplastics and nanoplastics poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. However, current wastewater treatment processes are often ineffective at reducing these emerging plastic contaminants before they reach aquatic systems.

   Recently, fiber-based materials have gained increasing attention as sustainable, reusable, and versatile super-bridging agents, enhancing turbidity removal in conventional coagulation-flocculation processes. In this study, we present a facile chemical modification of cellulose fibers that enables the effective removal of total suspended solids, as well as microplastics and nanoplastics, through rapid sedimentation.

   We functionalized cellulose fibers with quaternary ammonium groups via two distinctive routes: (i) periodate-induced oxidation and (ii) an anhydrous deep eutectic solvent, which offers a greener synthetic alternative. Extensive characterization systematically assesses the degree of fiber cationization and its impact on cellulose structure in relation to the two functionalization methods. Cationic fibers significantly improve the removal efficiency of carboxylate-modified polystyrene particles (20 nm, 200 nm, and 1.0 μm in diameter) in synthetic wastewater after settling, outperforming both unmodified fibers and conventional treatment without fiber additives. We use fluorescence confocal microscopy to visualize how model plastic particles accumulate on cationic cellulose fibers, revealing their surface-enhanced removal mechanisms. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of cationic fibers under reduced coagulant and flocculant concentrations, as well as the reusability of spent fibers over multiple treatment cycles.

   Our findings highlight the potential of chemically modified cationic cellulose fibers as effective, scalable, and sustainable materials for mitigating microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in primary wastewater treatment.
5. 3:05Artificial Intelligence-Augmented Modeling of Microbial Fuel Cells for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Energy Recovery Miguel Esteban Pardo Gómez

   Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable solution to two global challenges: wastewater treatment and clean energy generation, by harnessing the metabolic activity of microorganisms to oxidize organic matter and produce electricity. However, their implementation remains limited due to system variability, power efficiency and scale-up challenges. Efficient modeling strategies are therefore essential to improve their performance and enable real-world applications.

   In this study, we propose a hybrid modeling approach that combines a mechanistic one-dimensional model based on mass balances with machine learning (ML) techniques to simulate and predict the performance of a single-chamber MFC operating in batch mode. After calibrating the mechanistic model using experimental data, residual errors are used to train ML models in a residual learning framework. This approach enhances predictive accuracy while maintaining model interpretability. An experimental stage is included to generate the data required for model calibration and validation. Input variables include initial chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, temperature, and time, while output variables include COD removal and cell voltage. The system is monitored over time to capture relevant process dynamics. This hybrid strategy supports the development of intelligent, adaptable MFC systems tailored to specific wastewater characteristics and operational conditions.

   By integrating data-driven and physics-based methods, this work contributes to the advancement of low-energy treatment technologies aligned with circular economy principles and net-zero carbon objectives.
6. 3:18Understanding the Mass Transport Limitations of Activated Carbon Fibers: A Promising Strategy for Micropollutant Abatement in Water Treatment Applications Hannah Steinbrecher

   Phenol is an aqueous micropollutant having toxicological effects on organisms. An effective treatment for phenol, and other similar compounds, is adsorption using activated carbon. Activated carbon fibers (ACF) are an example of highly porous materials that can absorb pollutants. A barrier to faster adsorption is diffusion limitations at the surfaces of these fibrous materials. There are different mass transport phenomena associated with ACF adsorption, including boundary layer diffusion on the ACF surface, as well as intra-particle diffusion within the ACF meso and micropores.

   Our research focuses on the former and seeks to understand whether diffusion layer thickness can be minimized, to increase diffusive mass flux towards adsorption sites. Two commercially available ACFs were used: (1) Jacobi, a heterogeneously organized felt, and (2) CarboCloth, a uniformly woven cloth. Different stir speeds were used to evaluate diffusion layer thickness for each respective ACF. We hypothesized increased stir speed would have a greater effect on Jacobi adsorption kinetics due to the irregular and relatively open morphology, facilitating more convective flow pathways. To test this, both ACFs were submerged in a 100 mg/L phenol. Different stir speeds (0, 100, 150, and 300 rpm) were studied until fibers reached adsorption capacity. Preliminary results support this hypothesis, as increasing stir speeds increases sorption capacity and kinetics at higher stir speeds.

   Additionally, a mathematical model will be used to understand mass transport phenomena, find diffusion coefficients, and reaction orders.
7. 3:31 Protecting Water Resources by Diverting Organic Waste: A Conceptual Design for Decentralized In-Vessel Composting Systems Hussein Abnhadi

   Improper disposal of organic waste presents a major threat to water resources worldwide, primarily through the generation of leachate in landfills, a toxic byproduct capable of contaminating groundwater and surface water bodies. Leachate typically contains elevated levels of nutrients, heavy metals, ammonia, organic compounds, and pathogens, posing serious risks to aquatic ecosystems, drinking water supplies, and public health.

   Globally, approximately 70% of municipal solid waste (MSW) is landfilled or disposed of, while only 19% is recycled and 11% utilized for energy recovery, reflecting an urgent need for alternative, sustainable waste management strategies. This study explores in-vessel composting as a viable solution for diverting organic waste from landfills, thereby mitigating water pollution risks. In-vessel composting enables the controlled aerobic degradation of organic matter, producing stable, pathogen-free compost while eliminating leachate production.

   The research introduces a conceptual design for an on-site in-vessel composting system, suitable for deployment in small communities and industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors, particularly for Canadian northern small, isolated, and remote communities. The system is designed for modular scalability, operational efficiency, and environmental performance, making it adaptable across diverse geographic and socio-economic settings. By replacing landfill disposal with decentralized composting, this approach supports circular waste management, reduces environmental pollution, and contributes to the global effort to mitigate human impact on water systems.
8. 3:44Bacterial Degradation of PFA: A Review Neshat Jahan Prova

   Per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFA) substances are large groups of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial and consumer products with slow degradation due to their chemical and physical inertness. This strong resistance to degradation has earned them the name “Forever Chemicals”.

   Among the existing techniques for PFA removal Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Ion Exchange Resins (IXR) are the most prevalent. However, they involve the drawback of limiting efficiency for short-chain and frequent regeneration. Biological approaches can be a promising alternative to counter the cons above. This study aims at the biological alternatives for PFA removal through microbial degradation by using bacteria and enzymatic breakdown. A handful of experiments have been conducted on the effectiveness of bacteria for PFA removal. Several aerobics such as Pseudomonas and microaerophilic Acidimicrobium sp. strain A6 have shown remarkable potential for degrading PFAS like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFAS). However, the decomposition pathway is condition-dependent and varies as per the physiochemical properties of PFAs for example- chain length (short or long), chain structure (branched or straight), and functional groups. The studies also provided evidence of hindered microbial degradation when a dense, hydrophobic, and oxidation-resistant layer was formed due to fluorine-saturated carbon chains.

   Findings: This review-based study found Pseudomonas strain D2 and Acidimicrobium sp. strain A6, Pseudomonas showing partial defluorination of sulfonates. In contrast, considerable decomposition potential was demonstrated by Acidimicrobium sp. When employed in biosolids and microbial electrolysis cells. Some species showed complete degradation when advanced techniques such as reductive dehalogenation were deployed.
9. 3:57 Innovative Approaches to Sustainable Water Desalination: Enhancing Membrane Performance Toheeb Obidara

   Water scarcity remains a persistent global challenge today due to the increasing human population and subsequent rise in water demand. Water desalination has emerged as the vital solution to mitigate this challenge due to the presence of seawater.

   Membrane-based desalination technologies, particularly membrane distillation (MD), have gained considerable interest due to their high-water recovery rates, and low thermal energy consumption when treating high-salinity feed solutions. One of the major components of the MD process is the membrane materials responsible for achieving an efficient separation process. The fabrication of highly hydrophobic membranes for MD is primarily focused on improving performance by facilitating water vapor transport through the membrane pores, followed by condensation to water. However, desalination membranes face significant challenges such as pore wetting, scaling, and fouling after prolonged operations, which affects membrane efficiency. Hence, there is a need to enhance membrane properties to maintain efficient performance. Herein, we synthesized novel membranes polyimide membranes with improved performance.

   The results provide valuable insights into the synthesis and optimization of high-performance membranes and propose a sustainable and facile alternative to conventional fabrication methods. This study contributes to the advancement of MD technology and emphasizes the importance of membrane design to effectively manage both flux and salt rejection for sustainable water treatment.
10. 4:10 A pyridinium-modified chitosan-based adsorbent for arsenic removal via a coagulation-like methodology Deysi Venegas

    The goal of this study was to synthesize a chitosan-derived adsorbent to be used in a coagulation–flocculation (CF) process for a facile integration into existing water treatment processes. Therefore, an insoluble pyridinium-modified chitosan (Chi-Py) was prepared. Structural characterization was achieved with spectroscopy (FT-IR, 13C solids NMR, and X-ray photoelectron) methods and thermogravimetric analysis. Approximately 7% di-nitrobenzene and ca. 30% pyridinium moieties were incorporated into the chitosan framework via an adapted, moderate-temperature, Zincke reaction. The arsenic removal efficiency was evaluated by a coagulation-inspired methodology at pH 7.5, where the results were compared against CF systems such as pristine chitosan, FeCl3 and FeCl3-chitosan. The kinetic and van’t Hoff thermodynamic parameters for arsenic removal were calculated. Arsenic adsorption was shown to be a spontaneous and exothermic process (ΔG = −4.7 kJ mol−1; ΔH = −75.6 kJ mol−1) with a 76% arsenic removal efficiency at 23 °C and 96% at 5 °C with a maximum effective adsorbent dosage of Chi-Py of 300 mg L−1. The adsorption process for Chi-Py followed pseudo-first order kinetics, where the pyridinium-modified chitosan adsorbent can be successfully employed similar to coagulant-like systems in conventional water treatment processes. In contrast to conventional adsorbents (1–2 g L−1), a dosage of only 300 mg L−1 was required for Chi-Py that offers greater sustainability and recycling of materials. This is contrasted with single-use conventional coagulants such as FeCl3 or binary FeCl3-chitosan CF systems.

Education Session #3A Hydrology and environmental systems & Water Access Sanitation and Hygiene

Room 2020, Kaiser, UBC

1. 10:15 Quantification of bacteriophages of Mycobacterium spp. and related bacteria in freshwater Hanieh Shakeri Moghaddam

   Viruses play a key role in shaping microbial communities but remain underexplored due to the lack of universal primers, incomplete databases, and large sample requirements. In drinking water, most research to date focuses on detecting specific viruses as an indicator of contamination. However, quantifying phages in water could also provide insight into microbial dynamics and water quality. Mycobacterium and closely related genera Rhodococcus and Gordonia are potential pathogens that are common in water.

   In this study we focused on quantifying Myoviridae phages, one of the most common dsDNA viral families in water. Degenerate and non-degenerate primers were designed targeting the major capsid protein (MCP), along with an MCP probe, for TaqMan and SYBR green qPCR assays. Both assays were optimized, and standard curves were made using the MCP sequence of Mycobacterium phage Mangeria. Water samples were collected from different steps of the treatment process in a drinking water treatment facility and two local lakes to analyze low- and high-biomass environments. The TaqMan and SYBR green qPCR standard curves showed excellent linearity from 10 to 107 gene copies with an efficiency of approximately 99%. A decreasing trend of viral gene copies was observed across the drinking water treatment process from 103 gene copies/L in source water to 4 or undetectable gene copies/L in treated water depending on the assay. Higher concentrations of phages were detected in lake samples with up to 106 copies/L in one urban lake.

   These assays will be valuable for monitoring phage and microbial community dynamics in freshwater.
2. 10:28 Using Sensor Fish to Examine Fish Friendliness of Pumps Hollis Kinnard

   Sensor fish were created to study smolt passage and survival through large hydropower dams, and have given researchers valuable information about improving fish passage. Despite their usefulness, sensor fish have not yet been widely used to study other structures that cause barriers to salmon passage. In the lower Fraser River, flood pumps are abundant, and are thought to cause injury and mortality to out-migrating juvenile salmonids. There has been a recent push to upgrade traditional pump stations to fish friendly pump stations, but there is very little research on how well these friendly pumps allow fish to pass unharmed.

   This presentation will explore recent work that uses sensor fish to study fish friendliness of flood pumps in the lower Fraser River. There is no published research on using sensor fish to study flood pumps, so this is a novel method of studying pumps that could give managers important information for how to best upgrade pump stations to fish friendly pumps.
3. 10:41 Quantifying the Runoff Retention Capacity of Blue-Green Roofs Using the Curve Number Method Nicolas Beaulieu

   As urbanization increases, cities face growing challenges in managing human impact on stormwater runoff and flood risks. Many cities are adopting green stormwater infrastructure (GSI), such as green roofs to mitigate these effects. However, studies have shown that green roofs are less effective in wet, temperate climates like Vancouver. Blue Green (BG) roofs are an innovative approach to stormwater management that incorporate a storage layer beneath green roofs to improve their hydrological performance in these conditions.

   This study evaluates the hydrological performance of a pilot-scale BG roof installed at Helena Gutteridge Plaza in Vancouver, BC. Curve numbers (CN), derived from the experimental data, offer planners a simple, standardized tool for estimating the runoff-reduction potential of BG roofs at the watershed scale. Two years of rainfall and runoff data collected from the BG roof at Helena Gutteridge Plaza demonstrate that the CN of a BG roof is a function of the available storage capacity at the beginning of a rain event. The BG roof demonstrates a lower CN value than green or grey roofs when storage is available. This indicates improved performance in reducing runoff. The CN values were then applied to a watershed-scale analysis of the Broadway Plan area in Vancouver.

   This analysis showed that adoption of BG roofs within city policy can effectively reduce human impact on watersheds by reducing runoff from urban areas. Further research should explore how to optimize storage design of the BG roof to achieve a desired CN value.
4. 10:54 From Forest to Flood: How Harvesting Amplifies Peak Flow in a Nonstationary Climate  Spencer Pearson-Atkins

   Forest cover and climate change are critical drivers of the peak flow regime in the mountainous regions of southern British Columbia (BC). These factors particularly influence the magnitude, frequency, and duration of peak flows. Decades of intensive clearcutting have raised concerns over degraded water quality, impacts on fish habitat, and increased flood frequencies which impose risks to infrastructure and human lives.

   Here, the relationships between these factors are investigated in the Redfish Creek Watershed in the Kootenay region. We build on existing modeling efforts using the Distributed Hydrologic Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) to simulate peak flows under varied forest management approaches, including clearcut, partial retention (10%, 30%, 60%), and no harvest. The model is run with extended, historically based meteorological data which is generated using a met generation algorithm. Additionally, climate projections from Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (CMIP6) under the Socioeconomic Pathway-4.2 scenario are done on this historically based meteorologic data, to simulate impacts of climate change. By comparing peak flow across these forest management scenarios, we can evaluate how forest retention levels might offset climate change–driven increases in flood frequency, magnitude, and duration. Preliminary findings suggest that higher elevation harvesting significantly exacerbates flood risk due to synchronized snowmelt, whereas higher retention reduces snowpack accumulation, moderating hydrologic response.

   Ultimately, this research can inform better management of our forests and watersheds under evolving climatic conditions.
5. 11:15The resilience of BC catchments under differing land use change scenarios Sabrina Draude

   This study investigates the resilience of British Columbia (BC) catchments to pluvial flooding under varying land use and land cover (LULC) change scenarios. Five catchments were selected across BC, Kamloops, Merritt, Kelowna, Pemberton and Adams River, representing a gradient of urbanization and deforestation impacts, including a control site with minimal human disturbance.

   Using multi-temporal national land cover datasets (2000–2020), we quantified LULC transitions and overlaid them with flood-prone zones derived from national hazard data. Flood isochrone rasters were generated using high-resolution and medium resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and hydrologic modeling tools in QGIS to estimate drainage time and identify potential flood-prone areas. These isochrones were correlated with urban expansion and forest loss using Spearman correlation to assess the influence of LULC changes on pluvial flood exposure. Isochrones were incorporated into HEC-RAS a hydrodynamic flood model to simulate flood extents and depths under historical and future LULC scenarios. Key model inputs included gauged precipitation, streamflow data, Manning’s roughness coefficients from the LULC maps, and storm return periods. Comparative analysis across catchments evaluated variations in flood vulnerability due to differing land development patterns.

   This work provides a novel framework for integrating remote sensing, GIS, and hydrodynamic modeling to assess flood resilience in BC watersheds. Findings will inform municipal planning strategies by identifying areas at elevated risk due to land cover changes, supporting evidence-based flood mitigation under future climate scenarios.
6. 11:28Investigating the Sources and Fate of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in the Strait of Georgia Jeffrey Wight

   Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a diverse class of organic contaminants that interfere with the normal functions of hormones in an organism. Among the most potent EDCs are β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1). E2 and E1 are both endogenous hormones while EE2 is synthetic. EE2 along with synthetically prepared E2 and E1 are all commonly used as contraceptives. Estrogens are notorious for the adverse health effects they exert on fish such as the production of vitellogenin, the female protein for egg production, in males. These compounds pose a potential risk in the Strait of Georgia where wastewater treatment plants in the lower mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island are unable to remove them completely before discharge via marine outfalls. To better understand this risk it is necessary to investigate the fate and transport of EDCs that are discharged with wastewater into the Strait of Georgia and the bodies of water that flow into it.

   Over the course of this project, extensive sampling of the Strait of Georgia, Burrard Inlet, and the Strait of Georgia has taken place to understand the sources, fate, and impacts of endocrine disrupting compounds in the Strait of Georgia.
7. 11:41 Integrated quality-quantity modelling of lakes considering phosphorus loading from septic systems Carmen Iulia Oniga

   Excessive nutrient loading into tributary waterways is a major driver of accelerated eutrophication in lakes. Many remote areas rely on decentralised water treatment systems for wastewater management such as septic systems. Studies increasingly link water quality degradation to the densification of septic systems in watersheds. Their phosphorus contribution is often overlooked, and few models account for their impact on lake quality. This impact depends on system performance, age, conformity status, distance from the lake, and soil characteristics. To address this gap, an integrated quality-quantity model was developed to quantify the effect of septic systems on lake phosphorus concentrations. It combines a hydrological mass balance with a phosphorus mass balance, incorporating soil sorption capacity and its ability to delay phosphorus transport.

   Results highlight that the adsorption capacity of soils plays a key role in attenuating contaminant transport. Additionally, septic system conformity, proximity to the lake, and the presence of a riparian buffer are the most influential factors affecting phosphorus levels.
8. 11:54Trace concentration of graphene oxide rescue anaerobic municipal sludge digesters under stress  Milad Goodarzi

   This study evaluated long-term performance of graphene oxide (GO) and magnetic GO (MGO) nanosheets in semi-continuous-flow anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sludge over 230 days. At organic loading rates (OLRs) of 2.6 and 3.4 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)fed/L/day, 20 and 200 mg/L of GO and MGO did not affect AD performance. However, at an OLR of 5.2 g CODfed/L/day, where control digesters failed, 20 and 200 mg/L of GO and MGO sustained biogas yields at 190 mL/g CODfed/day, similar to yields at lower OLRs (2.6 and 3.4 g CODfed/L/day). This performance persisted after the daily nanosheet replenishment stopped. Improvements were due to enhanced conductivity and microbial syntropy.

   The results showed a strong correlation with previous biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays, positioning BMPs as a predictive tool for continuous-flow AD performance. Overall, this study demonstrated potential of GO/MGO nanosheets to improve the stability and efficiency of AD systems under stress.

Education Session #3B Predicting and mitigating human impact on water & Innovation and technology for future water

Room 2030, Kaiser, UBC

1. 10:15 Impact of Different UV-LED Wavelengths and Their Doses on Microplastic Degradation and Chemical Leaching Thusitha Rathnayake

   Microplastics are widespread in aquatic environments, creating substantial risks to ecosystems and human health. While microplastics are resistant to natural degradation processes, ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a significant role in influencing the degradation of plastic polymers.

   This study investigates the effects of UV-LED-generated wavelengths and doses on the degradation of microplastics and the associated release of leaching chemicals. By focusing on the UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C wavelength ranges, the research aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying microplastic polymer degradation. UV exposure experiments are being conducted using UV LEDs emitting specific wavelengths. (252 nm, 268 nm, 278 nm, 290 nm, 300 nm, and 363 nm). Microplastics, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are being exposed to increasing doses of UV radiation in a controlled collimated beam bench-scale setup. Functional group development within the polymer structures is being analyzed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Micro-FTIR), providing insight into oxidative reactions and the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups.

   Preliminary results suggest that UV-exposed microplastics are more effective in increasing the formation of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, leading to enhanced degradation rates. Additionally, chemical leaching during the degradation process is being evaluated to assess potential environmental and health impacts.

   The study also plans to compare the effects of natural weathering processes vs UV-LED-assisted weathering to understand the distinct degradation pathways and rates. Furthermore, this research provides critical insights into optimizing UV-LED applications for diverse environmental conditions, paving the way for improved management of microplastic contamination.
2. 10:28 Enhancing removal of stormwater derived trace organic contaminants in bioretention systems amended with biochar Ritu Progga Saha

   Green stormwater infrastructures, such as bioretention systems, are engineered systems used to treat urban stormwater runoff. Green infrastructure (GI) systems are traditionally more effective in removing particle-bound pollutants such as suspended solids, pathogens and some nutrients. However, these systems are ineffective in capturing hydrophilic trace organic compounds (TrOCs) and nutrients in dissolved phase, which are becoming increasingly common in urban stormwaters. We conducted a bench-scale column study, replicating a field bioretention system which was amended with biochar. We aimed to investigate the sorption and degradation of a suite of representative TrOCs found in stormwater (three tire-wear compounds [6PPD, 6PPD-Quinone and HMMM], an insecticide, a corrosion inhibiting compound, and two pharmaceutical products).

   To do so, we prepared two substrate media consisting of soil and sand, mixed with biochar (3% by weight). All the substrate columns were exposed to TrOC-spiked synthetic stormwater over a course of six months at a constant flow-rate, simulating two decades of local rainfall conditions.

   Results show that nearly all the TrOCs were removed in the effluent of the biochar-amended soil GI systems, which indicate that biochar amended bioretention systems are likely capable of removing recalcitrant TrOCs for atleast two decades before reaching saturation.
3. 10:41 Impact of antifouling layer on Janus membrane desalinating hypersaline wastewater Sifat Kalam

   Wastewater effluent from industries (e.g., shale oil and gas) are often highly saline, beyond the treatment limit of reverse osmosis processes. Instead, water reclamation from industrial wastewater via membrane distillation technology (MD) has emerged as a promising technique to reduce the burden of freshwater supply. However, the complex nature of industrial wastewaters with the presence of organic foulants, surfactants, and low-surface-tension compounds pose challenges of fouling and wetting in the MD desalination. Janus membrane, comprising a hydrophilic antifouling layer on a wetting-resistant membrane substrate, has emerged as a promising approach to simultaneously prevent fouling and wetting.

   We first developed a non-substrate specific Janus membrane fabrication technique using polydopamine-assisted, surface-initiated atom-transfer radical-polymerization (ATRP) for grafting antifouling zwitterionic polymer brush layer (with a tunable thickness ~ 0.25-25 µm) to be applied on any wetting-resistant substrate. Zwitterionic polymers pose strong hydration capacity via electrostatic interactions and imposing an energetic barrier for foulant adsorption, thus reducing the fouling propensity as demonstrated in direct contact MD desalination with high-salinity industrial wastewater feed. However, as surface hydrophilicity increases with a larger thickness of antifouling layer, the water flux might be impacted by temperature polarization, concentration polarization, nanopore evaporation, as well as additional mass transfer resistance.

   Hence, in this study we investigated the impact of the antifouling polymer brush layer structure on the desalination performance. The results indicated that initially the antifouling hydrophilic layer enhances water vapor flux until the mass transfer resistance and concentration polarization due to increased thickness become dominant, eventually diminishing the water flux.
4. 10:54 Proactive Assessment and Mitigation of Anthropogenic Impacts on Aquifer Resources in Saint-Hippolyte (Quebec, Canada): Towards Sustainable and Participatory Management Oumou Kaltoum

   Dependent on its aquifer resources (CPTAQ, 2014), Saint-Hippolyte (Quebec, Canada) faces increasing pressure from demographic growth (15% in 10 years) and residential development. This growth threatens water quality and quantity (Gouvernment du Québec, 2015; Carignan, 2018).

   This project aims to develop a decision support tool for sustainable management of groundwater based on two innovative axes: 1) participatory monitoring with multi-parameter piezometers (water level, conductivity and temperature) in domestic private wells and customized diagnostic sheets, actively involving local stakeholders in data collection and interpretation. 2) Spatio-temporal predictive modeling (FEFLOW coupled with neural network algorithms) of anthropogenic impacts to anticipate water stress scenarios.

   The project will contribute to a better understanding of the complex interactions between human activities and water resources. It will also develop proactive mitigation strategies and provide an evidence-based decision support tool for regional stakeholders. In the face of pressing environmental challenges, this research provides an essential model for sustainable and participatory aquifer management at the Canadian scale.
5. 11:15UV LED disinfection of wastewater effluent in low resource and humanitarian contexts Stephen Zhang

   The global sanitation crisis persists as a critical challenge affecting nearly half of the world’s population. Despite incremental progress, approximately 3.6 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation. In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, densely populated refugee camps face acute risks of waterborne diseases due to inadequate sanitation. Camp 18, housing over 20,000 refugees, reports E. coli contamination levels of 10⁵–10⁶ CFU/100ml, exceeding Bangladesh’s discharge standard of 10³ CFU/100ml. While a Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant (15m³/d capacity) was built in 2022 by the WASH sector to improve sanitation, its effluent requires tertiary disinfection to meet bacterial safety standards.

   This study, conducted in collaboration with the British Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Watersprint Technologies, and the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), proposes UV light-emitting diode (LED) technology as a sustainable alternative to chlorination and mercury lamp methods for disinfecting wastewater effluent in a densely populated area. Experimental trials using UV LED reactors, including the Canadian-manufactured ArrowMAX HOME, are being conducted to evaluate disinfection performance and validate the predictions of computational modeling. The study will analyze UV disinfection dose-response curves, inactivation rates, and water quality parameters to assess the efficacy of the UV LED technology for inactivating E. coli and other contaminants.

   The study aims to develop and validate an empirical formula, called the combined variable model, to assess its applicability for UV LED reactors. If successful, this approach could streamline UV LED system design, reducing costs, minimizing reliance on manual testing, and enabling broader implementation in resource-limited settings.
6. 11:28Impact of the Hygroscopic Properties of Water Conduits in Artificial Mangroves for Climate Resilient Cities Keegan Parkhurst

   Severe heat events and flooding events are becoming more and more prevalent, and misbalances in the water cycle and heat distribution due to urbanization exacerbate these trends. Current mitigation technologies like green walls and green roofs are effective, but very expensive to install and maintain, leading to economic disparities in access to climate-resilient cities. Devices that mimic the capillary-pressure-driven water transport of trees have garnered attentions due to their potential as an alternative to currently existing green roofs/walls.

   Here, we demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of mangrove-mimicking devices that exhibit three different water transport functions in mangrove trees: solute rejection at the root, water conduction through the stem, and evaporation through leaves. Specifically, we investigate the effectiveness of hygroscopic material as the fast water-conducting stem and its function to enhance the evaporation rate at the artificial leaves. As a representative hygroscopic material, we 3D-printed a porous, hydrophilic stem using cellulose. The leaf for evaporation was fabricated by casting a polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate hydrogel film. A commercial seawater reverse osmosis membrane was used as the root membrane. We demonstrate the stable desalination performance of this artificial mangrove tree operated under large negative pressure up to -20 bar at varying environmental conditions. Then, we show that the tight binding between the cellulose stem and the hydrogel leaf leads to the oversaturation of hydrogel with water, which results in an enhanced water evaporation rate at the leaf. Finally, we measure the water flux at the root and at the leaf simultaneously for different leaf-to-root area ratios.

   The results show that the water flux at the root is nearly independent of the leaf-to-root area ratios, indicating that the device would attain high dewatering rates with large evaporation areas, such as on the side of a building. Our work supports the feasibility and scalability of a tree-mimicking device that could be installed onto the walls of buildings, providing passive cooling and flood resilience.
7. 11:41 Role of feedwater constituents on the filtration and chemical cleaning performance of aged membranes Rahul Dutta

   Irreversible changes in membrane performance and characteristics over time are referred to as ‘ageing’, which eventually triggers their replacement. The extent to which membrane age impacts membrane filtration performance (FP) and chemical cleaning performance (CCP), and the mechanisms governing this impact, are not known. Additionally, the relevance of site-specific natural organic matter (NOM) fractions in governing the extent of ageing is not known. FP of a membrane determines membrane throughput, and its decline can indicate the need for frequent cleanings, leading to extended downtime. CCP determines the effectiveness of a chemical clean and can impact FP of a membrane following the clean.

   In addressing these knowledge gaps, the present study investigated the impact of individual NOM fractions on filtration and chemical cleaning performance of aged membranes. Aged membranes were fouled using a bench-scale system that repeatedly cycled membranes between filtration and hydraulic backwash, mimicking full-scale operation. Filtration was performed with a synthetic feedwater of model foulants mimicking biopolymers (BP) and humic acids (HA) in NOM. Normalized permeability (NP) was monitored and analyzed as a metric for FP and CCP Membrane age was observed to impact FP and CCP for BP, but not for HA. Monitoring NP was observed to serve as an important metric to suggest when a chemical clean should be stopped.

   Implications from the current study suggested that effective removal of BP needs to occur by pre-treatment as membranes age and chemical cleaning protocols at full-scale need to be revised to adapt to membrane ageing.