Western Canada Challenge 2021
Hosted By
Congratulations to the finalists
First Place
The SIP Project
SIP’s solution is a mobile filtration station in the form of a gravity filter backpack. Water goes into the top of the backpack and filters through three levels of treatment. At the spout, the water is tasteless, clear, and decontaminated.
Team:
Elana Wood, Yamen Shehab, Yosamin Esanullah, and Mana Tokuni | UBC Okanagan
Second Place
Eledigm
Eledigm’s device prevents contamination in water cisterns. The device connects to a cistern lid and a water hose ensures that the water is protected from contamination during transportation and storage.
Team:
Sydney Strocen, Mikhail Ignatyev, Tarek Alkabbani, and Andre Cox | UBC Okanagan
Third Place
EcoWater - Public Choice Award
ECO-Water minimizes the release of chemicals of emerging concern into water bodies. ECO-Model provides a water treatment system with a risk analysis and helps to optimize the system to achieve the highest removal rate possible. ECO-Filters, derived from agricultural residue, remove the remaining pollutants.
Team:
Khaled Benis, Shahab Minaei, Mohsen Asadi | University of Saskatchewan
About the Challenge
Young, innovative minds – from across Canada – were invited to put their skills to work, creating ground-breaking solutions to some of the most critical environmental water issues facing B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The Water Issues
On-Farm nutrient capture and recycling
How can we capture and reuse the valuable nutrients from livestock operations and improve the health of nearby rivers, lakes and aquifers?
Water Issue Leader:
Helen Baulch, Associate Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Optimization of drinking water / wastewater treatment plants
How can we improve the operations of primary water/wastewater utility infrastructure?
Water Issue Leaders:
Robert Haller, Executive Director, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association
David Paul Teasdale, College Professor, Water Engineering Technology, Okanagan College
Toxic algal blooms
How can we improve testing and reduce the incidence of toxic algal blooms?
Water Issue Leader:
Maggie Romuld, Executive Director, Canadian Water Resources Association
Merrin Macrae, Professor, University of Waterloo
David Lobb, Professor, University of Manitoba
Innovative ‘social’ technologies for water information
Are there new ways we can link to existing social media and communications technologies to support community access to water information?
Water Issue Leader:
Gabrielle Parent-Doliner, Director, Water Rangers
Graham Strickert, Assistant Professor, University of Saskatchewan
Water issues summary
In the link below you can find a summary document about the environmental issues in freshwater, with additional information and resources.
Advisory Committee
Andrew Greer
Managing Director, Co-Founder, Purppl
Anna Warwick Sears
Executive Director, Okanagan Basin Water Board
Carolyn DuBois
Director, Water Program, The Gordon Foundation
Claire Jackson
Director of Engineering, waterSMART
David Saltman
Chair, Okanagan Sustainability Leadership Council
Davin Budreau
Senior Policy Analyst, Western Economic Diversification Canada
Denise Lee
CEO Office, Intern, Sustainable Development Technology Canada
James Littley
Member, BC Water Funders Collaborative
Kat Kavanagh
Executive Director and Founder, Water Rangers (AquaHacking Alumni, 2015)
Marta Green
Senior Hydrogeologist, Associated Environmental Consultants
Mélissa Dick
AquaHacking Alumni and AquaEntrepreneur Program Manager, AquaAction
Merrell-Ann Phare
Commissioner, International Joint Commission
Pauline Gerrard
Deputy Director, IISD-ELA
Ragwa Gopal
President and CEO, Innovate BC
