Please check out our Nature Water piece led by Abishek S Narayan 💧 with other distinguished contributors that just came out: rdcu.be/dZ0Io. What a great fallout from the #IWAWorldWaterCongress!

Some great news to finish off 2024! I'm honoured to be selected for @UVic UVic Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching! Thanks to the students that I have the privilege of interacting with and making this aspect of my job so rewarding.

In yesterday’s #WASHTalk, we hosted Executive Director of GlobalMedic – Rahul Singh! GlobalMedic is working to reduce costs and innovate to deliver aid worldwide most efficiently. Watch the talk here: youtu.be/ses5vF90fqw GlobalMedic Rahul Singh

📢 Sean McBeath is delivering #WASHTalk on "Development of Electrified Processes for Decentralized Water Quality Monitoring and Treatment". 📆 Thursday, February 27 🕘 9:00 - 10:00 Pacific Time (12:00 - 13:00 Eastern Time) 🔗 Register here: t.ly/_Xyug

Thank you for tuning in this week as we counted down to #WorldWaterDay! On the final day, we have #graduated trainees Anne Carabin and Rachel Boyer, analysing water in Malawi. This research compared the acute and chronic risks of a chlorinated, intermittent drinking water supply.

📽️ In case you missed the panel event, watch the recording here youtu.be/jdByAkoCNxE! Valuable insights were shared by the esteemed panel of experts. Thank you for your continued support of the WASH Talk events. We'll be back with a new roster of speakers in Fall 2025! 💙

This weekend, our trainees headed off to Colombia for the 4th edition of the #WASHFieldSchool! Over the next few weeks, they will be travelling to link up with Profs. Manuel Rodriguez & Caetano Dorea.

On Day 1 of the NSERC / CRSNG #WASHFieldSchool, we visited Aguaviva, Bogotá's carbon-neutral park. This former asphalt plant was transformed into an iconic green space featuring over 8000 tons of reused demolition waste and interactive spaces that bring the water cycle to life.

Day 2 of the NSERC / CRSNG #WASHFieldSchool started with a cruise on the Bogotá River led by CAR Cundinamarca. Trainees learned about CAR's work to improve one of the world's most polluted rivers. Wastewater treatment at the El Salitre WWTP has had noticeable effects on water quality!

On Day 4 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited La Roca Ecobarrio—an eco-neighbourhood with rainwater tanks, compost bins, & gardens. Later, we rode up Monserrate and viewed Bogotá from above. We ended the day learning about the city's water sources w/Acueducto de Bogotá.

On Day 5 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited the El Dorado #DrinkingWaterTreatment plant with Acueducto de Bogotá. The energy used for treatment processes is being upgraded to solar! The trip took us to Sumapaz Páramo—a drinking water source with breathtaking views.

Day 9 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool began at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Ibagué-Espinal. Dr. Ospina Zuñiga welcomed us to the AQUA lab, where they created a decentralized water treatment device in < 1 m² of space! Later, we visited Mirador de Juntas & noticed localized pollution near the river.

On Day 10 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we visited Armero, a city of >20,000 people tragically lost to a landslide in 1985. This field school isn't just about #WASH—it's also about exploring local history, experiencing cultures, & seeing how people & environments adapt.

We visited the Calambeo community #DrinkingWaterTreatment system on Day 11 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool! Since 1969, Ascala has provided drinking water without political affiliation. It now serves >1200 people using sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection processes.

On Day 13 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we explored colourful Salento before heading to Cocora Valley—home to some of the tallest palm trees in the world! On our way back to Ibagué, we visited the Quindío River, a major drinking water source for the city of Armenia.

By Day 14 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, the salad craving was real! We grabbed produce from local markets, made Green Goddess salad in our hotel rooms, & worked on assignments. Visiting #Colombia's watersheds deepened our appreciation for the land that grew our veggies.

We visited 2 treatment plants on Day 15 of #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool! First, ACUAGYR showed how they supply safe #DrinkingWater from intake to distribution. Later, we learned the #wastewater entering the Ricaurte WWTP is higher quality than the water in the Bogotá River.

On Day 16 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool, we rolled up our sleeves for lab work Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Ibagué-Espinal. We conducted #WaterQuality tests using low-cost microbial methods—each kit costs only $2! Later, we visited the Museo Panóptico de #Ibagué, a National Cultural Heritage Site.

The #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool wouldn't be possible without Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Ibagué-Espinal! On Day 17, we showed our appreciation by presenting our research to UCC students, covering topics including #DrinkingWater pricing, #wastewater treatment in emergencies, & the #SpongeCity concept.

Day 18 of the #NSERC_CREATE #WASHFieldSchool featured more research presentations at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia Ibagué-Espinal! We discussed microbial source tracking, Cape Town's Day Zero, #DrinkingWater solutions for vulnerable populations in #Colombia, and more. We ended the day with a game of Tejo!