Greywater Research Receives Federal Funding
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On April 8, representatives from the federal and provincial governments gathered in the new Research and Innovation Centre to announcement an investment of $202,400 under the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) that has been made in the Greywater Reclamation Pilot Plant research program lead by Dr. Stephanie Young of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. In addition Communities of Tomorrow has provided $75,000 in funding, and the project has also generated considerable in-kind funding.
Dr. Young's research involves the development and testing of a unique, new greywater reclamation system that will allow used water from sources such as sinks (known as greywater) to be treated and reused. The treated water is ideal for handwashing, toilet flushing, irrigation, and even showering.
In 2002, the the University of Regina announced the construction of a new laboratory and research building (the Research and Innovation Centre), and at Dr. Young's request, a dual piping system that allows water from the building's sinks to be directed to Dr. Young's basement lab was installed. In her lab, the water can be treated and reused in the building's washrooms and irrigation system.
Making the announcment was the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, which administers WEPA funding, who indicated, "Our Government is dedicated to providing Canadians with access to clean, safe and secure water...we can all work together to help protect our water supply. In fact, we can even go back to “re-use” in the simple motto: “reduce, reuse and recycle”. And to help us re-use, we only have to look to technology developed by Saskatchewan researchers. The provincial government was represented by Hon. Laura Ross, MLA for Regina Qu’Appelle Valley, who said that Dr. Young's technology will "help us cease some of our wasteful ways and adopt new practices that encourage recycling.''
Explaining her technology, Dr. Young emphasized the small size and even smaller expense of her technology. More importantly, she emphasized the great need for such technologies - everywhere. "More than 50% of the world's population will soon be facing water shortages. On top of that, cities across North America, including Regina, are facing increasing sewage loads. In some subdivisions, the sewage infrastructure is reaching maximum capacity, which severely limits city growth. This greywater treatment system can dramatically reduce both fresh water consumption and the loads on city sewer systems, enabling growth and expansion."
The small but effective systems are being tested for their commercial potential. Six patents have been filed on the technology. The next phase of research will determine which system being pilot tested is the most efficient, as well as develop treatment systems to purify the water to potable levels. The commercial systems will be aimed at serving small communities, farms and acreages, and building complexes such as hospitals and airports.
For more information on the WEPA funding and on Dr. Young's research, visit these related links.