2025 Water Canada Awards Winners
Water Canada celebrated the winners of the 2025 Water Canada Awards on October 16, 2025. Hosted by Actual Media’s Content Director Corinne Lynds, the presentation of the 2025 Water Canada Awards recognized individuals, projects, and technologies that have made significant contributions to the water industry in Canada and beyond. Click here to see the full list of incredible 2025 finalists >>>
The winners of the 2025 Water Canada Awards are:
Projects Category - Early Adopter/ Innovation Partnership
Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association
The Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association (MFGA), in partnership with Aquanty Inc., has developed one of Canada’s most advanced hydrologic forecasting tools—the MFGA Aquanty Model—to help farmers and communities in the Assiniboine River Basin adapt to increasingly extreme weather events. Leveraging cutting-edge HydroGeoSphere technology, this fully integrated groundwater/surface water model creates a digital twin of the basin, providing real-time forecasts, scenario planning, and decision support. Designed by a farmer-led organization for agricultural and environmental resilience, the model uniquely captures the entire terrestrial water cycle, enabling unprecedented insight into how forages and grasslands mitigate flood and drought impacts. As one of the first systems of its kind in Canada—and now being adopted in other provinces—the MFGA Aquanty Project exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and visionary leadership in sustainable water management.
Projects Category - New Tech
HydroSphereAI – The Machine Learning Revolution
The HydroSphereAI project seeks to fill the gaps on streamflow forecasting technology and techniques, which are currently only available with a patchwork of programs across the country mainly servicing urban centers. Trained on a comprehensive database with a wide range of watershed attributes, HydroSphereAI is readily deployable in watersheds of all types around Canada and the world. And since HSAI is easily scalable, it represents a low-cost solution that will provide a baseline for hydrologic forecasting in small, remote, Northern and Indigenous communities that do not have the resources to invest in expensive consulting/engineering studies on flood risk and climate change impacts to streamflow.
Projects Category - Drinking Water: Large Project
Hamilton’s Water Efficiency and Quality Improvement Project
The City of Hamilton’s innovative approach to improving drinking water quality through the removal of autoflushers and implementation of a watermain lining program demonstrates outstanding leadership in sustainable infrastructure management. By decommissioning 10 autoflushers, the City saves over 94,000 m³ of non-revenue water annually, reduces energy use by nearly 9,700 kWh, and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 242 kg—all while enhancing system efficiency and capacity. In parallel, the trenchless watermain lining program has modernized aging infrastructure with minimal disruption, improving water quality and long-term reliability. Through cross-departmental collaboration and cutting-edge technology, Hamilton has delivered measurable environmental, operational, and financial benefits—positioning this project as a model for sustainable urban water management.
Projects Category - Drinking Water: Small Project
Hiawatha First Nation Water Treatment Plant and Distribution
The Hiawatha First Nation Water Treatment Plant and Distribution project marks a transformative milestone for the community, delivering clean drinking water and ending long-standing reliance on boiled water. Initiated in 2019, the project’s success stems from strategic project management, early stakeholder engagement, and culturally sensitive collaboration. By prioritizing local involvement and aligning with community values, the team ensured a smooth, sustainable implementation. This achievement not only strengthens community resilience but also stands as a powerful example of how meaningful engagement and well-managed infrastructure can drive lasting change in small Indigenous communities.
Projects Category - Wastewater: Large Project
Woodward Ave WWTP Secondary Treatment Upgrade
Hamilton Harbour, located at the western tip of Lake Ontario, is a vital economic, environmental, and recreational area, but it has faced significant environmental challenges over the years. Historically an industrial hub for steel production and shipping, it has suffered significant environmental degradation and habitat destruction. The Woodward Avenue WWTP is the largest single source of water flowing into the Hamilton Harbour, and the quality of the effluent has a direct impact on the harbour’s water quality and environmental health. The Woodward Phase 1 Upgrade project represents the largest investment within the City of Hamilton’s Clean Harbour Program and plays a crucial role in meeting new stringent Hamilton Harbor Remedial Action Plan effluent quality targets with the goal of delisting Hamilton Harbour as an Area of Concern. From a treatment technology perspective, the project included the addition of the largest tertiary disk filtration facility in the world, having a capacity of 614 ML/d.
Projects Category - Wastewater: Small Project
Sanofi Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Plant
The Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Plant (WWTRP) project showcases the implementation of several new and innovative technologies in wastewater treatment and aligns with the principles of green chemistry and circular economy. The facility employs a unique and forward-thinking wastewater reuse system, utilizing a two-pass RO system to produce high-purity boiler feed makeup water for the Cogen plant, a practice that is rare in industrial wastewater treatment plants. The plant design incorporates an advanced oxidation system using UV irradiation and hydrogen peroxide for effective wastewater treatment. The project utilizes a Design-Build contract with a third party technology partner, which was considered an innovative approach compared to past EPCM contract structures. The facility includes a SCADA system for comprehensive data management and remote control, ensuring optimal operation and efficiency. An innovative solution that addressed structural, process, and architectural challenges was the implementation of crystalline waterproofing technology for all water-retaining structures and buried foundation walls. This advanced solution eliminated the need for interior coatings and external foundation waterproofing.
Projects Category - Stormwater: Large Project
City of Hamilton – Watershed Action Plan
The City of Hamilton Watershed Action Plan is a city-wide, forward-thinking initiative aimed at reducing non-point source pollution and improving stormwater quality across all four of Hamilton’s watersheds. Crossing four Conservation Authority boundaries, the plan’s impact spans every river, stream, and creek within municipal limits. Grounded in extensive engagement with Indigenous communities, environmental groups, academia, and the public, the Plan identifies scalable, actionable steps—such as enhancing road maintenance and snow/salt management with a water quality lens. Hamilton’s approach offers a replicable model for municipalities seeking to protect local watersheds through integrated, innovative, and inclusive planning.
Projects Category - Stormwater: Small Project
Green Streets – City of Toronto
The Green Streets program is a staff-led effort to not only build and transform a program, but also create a culture of equity based design, delivery and maintenance. This is accomplished via thoughtful and collaborative partnership with over 12 City divisions and agencies, multiple bodies of academia, partnerships with North American jurisdictions and community members in Toronto’s own neighborhoods to establish the City as an industry leader in green infrastructure. First through one-off pilots, and now through a larger implementation strategy, the Green Streets program has been successfully implementing a range of new technologies and techniques to improve stormwater management, enhance streetscapes, and promote a healthier, more biodiverse urban environment.
Projects Category - Conservation: Large Project
Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup
Pollution Probe is driving innovation in Canada’s water sector through the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup as the first organization in the country to deploy a BeBot, beach cleaning robot, and as an early adopter of the PixieDrone, a water-based, remote-controlled drone that collects floating debris. These innovative plastic capture technologies not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic removal from the largest freshwater system in the world but also serve as powerful tools to collect critical data, empower communities to take hands-on action, and raise awareness of local environmental challenges. By integrating advanced technologies into on-the-ground cleanup efforts, Pollution Probe is demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation, cross-sector partnership, and the development of a cleaner, more resilient water sector in Canada.
Projects Category - Conservation: Small Project
Walleye Spawning Bed Restoration
Watersheds Canada’s winter fish habitat restoration projects turn thick ice from a barrier into a valuable asset. On February 6, 2025, a dedicated team of 16 volunteers from Big Clear Lake Association, Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, and G.E. Matson and Sons Construction gathered on the frozen surface of Big Clear Lake, Ontario, to distribute 17 tonnes of washed river rock directly over a walleye spawning bed. By placing the substrate on the ice, it settles perfectly onto the spawning grounds when the ice melts, providing an ideal habitat for native walleye to reproduce. This innovative approach not only benefits fish populations but also fosters deep connections among participants. Chief Doreen Davis of Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation reflected on the day as a meaningful experience of community and shared stewardship, emphasizing the responsibility to care for the species and the land. Supported by local partners and funded through the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, this project exemplifies collaborative conservation that nurtures both ecosystems and relationships.
Projects Category - Education
Aquatic Science Outreach Network for the Grand
AquaSONG exemplifies leadership in water education by offering an innovative, research-based outreach program that connects high school students with local water systems through authentic scientific investigation. Over the past decade, the program has engaged more than 3,000 youth across Southern Ontario, and many other community members, many of whom had never directly interacted with their local water sources. AquaSONG’s unique, full-cycle approach—from field sampling to water treatment design to lab analysis—mirrors professional water research and empowers students to become informed, capable environmental stewards. By integrating scientific rigor, design thinking, and place-based learning, AquaSONG enhances the educational landscape beyond the classroom. Developed in consultation with regional education specialists, the program fills a recognized gap in accessible, hands-on water science experiences and fosters measurable gains in student understanding, STEM engagement, and civic responsibility—making it a model of transformative, scalable education in Canada.
Projects Category - Policy
Lake Winnipeg Foundation
Lake Winnipeg Foundation’s advocacy and policy work has led to real, measurable improvements in water quality management policies and practices. This work not only benefits Lake Winnipeg but serves as a model for similar water management issues across Canada. Their ability to secure funding, influence government action at all levels, and engage communities is a testament to their exceptional leadership in advancing meaningful change. For these remarkable accomplishments, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation is more than deserving of the Policy Award for its groundbreaking contributions to improving Canada’s water management policies and regulations.
People Category - Emerging Leader
Linda Li
Linda Li is a dynamic environmental engineer whose professional and volunteer work embodies the qualities of an Emerging Leader in the Canadian water sector. As an Associate at Dillon Consulting, she leads the design and delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects for clients across Canada and internationally. Her work spans critical systems in Belize and environmental compliance consulting for major industrial clients in Toronto.
Beyond her technical achievements, Linda is a recognized leader in the global water community. She has served on the Program Committee for the IWA World Water Congress, helped shape international dialogue, and was recently named a 2024–2026 IWA LeaP Leadership Fellow, representing Canada among a global cohort of emerging professionals.
A passionate advocate for diversity and mentorship, Linda co-founded the Women in Engineering Committee at Professional Engineers Ontario and has supported Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30 initiative. Her long-standing leadership with the Water Environment Association of Ontario—both as a student chapter president and on the Young Professionals Committee—reflects her dedication to building the next generation of water leaders.
Through her professional excellence, global engagement, and tireless advocacy, Linda is shaping the future of water leadership in Canada and beyond.
People Category - Water Steward of the Year
Charles Goss
Dr. Charles Goss is a Project Manager and Team Lead for the Water Treatment Group with over 16 years experience in research and engineering design in both the water and wastewater treatment.
Charles completed a Ph.D. in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba and a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Ottawa. As a consultant, Charles has been involved in numerous projects related to water/wastewater treatment system design and optimization, and environmental remediation (Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments). His expertise is inclusive of treatment process evaluation and chemical optimization, with focus on small-scale systems in rural and First Nation communities. Charles provides consulting experience in water and wastewater treatment technologies, treatment process analysis and optimization, analytical process development, computer simulated water quality modeling, and in assessing environmental contaminated sites.
Charles is also a licensed Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Professional Chemist (P.Chem.), providing his clients with an all-encompassing skillset with both management and design experience.
People Category - Career Champion
Valerie Jenkinson
With over four decades of leadership across five continents, Valerie Jenkinson has made an extraordinary global impact on the water sector. As Founder and Chair of Operators Without Borders, she leads emergency deployments and technical training programs that support disaster recovery and capacity building in vulnerable regions. Valerie is also the CEO of World Water and Wastewater Solutions Ltd., one of Canada’s largest water-sector training firms, providing over 70 accredited courses and certification preparation to professionals across the country. Her earlier work as President of Nova Quality Research influenced provincial training standards, and her 25-year tenure as an instructor at BCIT cemented her expertise in adult education. Her dedication extends to numerous advisory and governance roles, including with Wastewater Education and the UN’s Global Wastewater Initiative. Valerie’s career is defined by her commitment to knowledge-sharing, international collaboration, and building operational resilience in water systems worldwide.
Congratulations to all the Water Canada Award winners and finalists. Your contributions exemplify the best of the best in Canada’s water sector!
