Office of Public Affairs Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072 News Release For Release:  April 6, 2001

Acadia researchers to participate in new Canadian Water Network

(Wolfville, NS) – Nova Scotians have become familiar with reports of potentially unsafe drinking water. Earlier this year, agricultural run-off or leaking septic systems was thought to have contaminated residential wells in Garland. Community based groups; Friends of the Cornwallis River and the Clean Annapolis River Project are taking an active role in monitoring water quality to foster the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of freshwater and marine ecosystems. Nova Scotia has water quality challenges and four Acadia University researchers have been positioned to help.

Dr. Graham Daborn, Dr. Colin Bell, Dr. Mike Brylinsky and Dr. Greg Bezanson, of Acadia’s Biology Department have been chosen to participate in the Canadian Water Network as part of the newly funded Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCEs). With an award of  $14.9 million, the Canadian Water Network will research the effects of global change, declining water levels, land use and their impact on Canada’s supply of clean water.

Centred at the University of Waterloo, the Canadian Water Network consists of researchers from 31 universities and research institutes. The network will focus on six key research areas: policy and governance, water resource management, drinking water and health, wastewater management, infrastructure, and groundwater and sediment protection.

Dr. Daborn, Director, Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research, will be co-leader of the project entitled, “Building Local Capacity to Provide Clean Water.” This research is timely and of interest to Nova Scotia. Dr. Daborn says, "Acadia researchers and community groups have been working for many years to develop the capacity to respond to the challenges of water resources in the Annapolis Valley. Our involvement in the Canadian Water Network is recognition of this work and gives us an opportunity to bring more resources to bear on this challenge and help develop an integrated water management plan."

The investment of $73 million over 4 years to launch four new NCEs was announced in March by the Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry. The NCEs are “nation-building institutions” that are national networks of universities, government agencies and industry partners. These centres create a national critical mass of intellectual resources to enable Canadian university researchers to address issues affecting the quality of life of all Canadians.

-30-

For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
 
 
 

Acadia Home

Published by: The Office of Public Affairs Last revised: April 6, 2001 URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/2001/CdnWaterNetwork_Apr06.html