Fleming College
IN-25: Innovation B

Fleming's Office of Applied Research and CAWT conducts research in the areas of water and wastewater treatment. The Centre continues to expand research capacity and in the last three years has progressed in research work relating to drinking water safety using innovative approaches, in partnership with industry partners. This submission highlights work in collaboration with a Canadian company, where the CAWT has been researching and validating an innovative treatment technology for the on-site treatment of domestic wastewater. Most on-site treatment of domestic wastewater is accomplished by old technology similar to the standard septic tank and leach field. Old treatment technology converts ammonia to nitrate and does not proceed with further treatment (e.g., denitrification) to the production of nitrogen gas. Because of this, nitrate percolates into the soil and has the potential to contaminate surrounding groundwater resources being used for drinking water. High nitrate levels in well water have been linked to health effects including blue baby syndrome. The CAWT is working with an industry partner to develop an innovative treatment design that will convert ammonia in the raw wastewater to harmless nitrogen gas. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance the treatment of domestic on-site wastewaters and protect source waters for drinking.

The Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) at the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Frost Campus, Fleming College, is an internationally recognized research institute committed to excellence in research and education through applied research, third party validation and knowledge transfer. The Centre fosters collaborative research partnerships with universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, and engages in opportunities to enhance student learning through the integration of applied research activities into curricula.

Increasingly, access to clean and safe drinking water is a key provincial and federal priority in Canada, particularly for Northern and Indigenous communities. Progress in this type of research is critical to addressing this issue. Through innovations in research and technology advancements, working with industry partners on projects such as the denitrification to production of nitrogen gas, the CAWT aims to:
• Conduct, facilitate and coordinate applied research on alternative wastewater treatment and water treatment technologies within the province, country, and the world.
• Promote interdisciplinary interest, applied research, and unique facilities in the study of alternative wastewater and water treatment technologies for collaborative use.
• Advocate public policy and regulatory changes that would facilitate the implementation of alternative treatment technologies in Ontario.
• Collaborate with all levels of government, industry, academia, and other institutions to identify research needs and develop pilot-scale projects or experiments to address these needs.
• Facilitate the exchange of information between CAWT and external agencies through print and web-based resources as well as through partnerships with stakeholders including regulatory agencies, private sector firms, and researchers.
• Provide educational opportunities for students, practitioners, government, and industry in the form of workshops, short courses, conference presentations, demonstration projects and fact sheets.