The Region of York is interested in a One Water approach where treated effluent from its water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) is reused for various non-potable applications. However, a wastewater reuse study conducted at the York Region Mount Albert WRRF indicated that conventionally treated wastewater produces a salty effluent lacking nutrients beneficial for non-food crop irrigation. KEC Engineering aims to design treatment upgrades to the existing Mount Albert WRRF to reduce salt concentrations while retaining nutrient levels in the effluent for golf course irrigation.

Faculty Advisor: Wayne Parker

Due to growing populations, increased waste production, and higher energy demands, it is critical to develop solutions to divert waste from landfills while enhancing energy production. Co-digestion allows wastewater treatment plant digesters to perform anaerobic digestion on organic waste streams to improve digestibility and biogas production. Co-BAM Consulting will design an anaerobic co-digestion system combining green bin organics with wastewater sludge at the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in York Region, Ontario. This will help attain a net-zero co-digestion system by amplifying biogas generation.

Faculty Advisor: Rob Reid

With the projected changes in the prevalence of drought and wet periods in the state of California, one industry that will be affected is the strawberry farming industry. In anticipation of the potential damages caused by climate change; innovations that provide more efficient ways to manage water resources are paramount to increasing food security and reducing stress on non-renewable freshwater resources. Our project aims to tackle this problem by creating a system that collects and retains rainwater to be used for strawberry irrigation purposes.

Faculty Advisor: James Craig