Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

In Canada, small-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), particularly those located in remote communities, demonstrate a significant need for wastewater treatment monitoring systems with continuous, real-time capabilities. A lack of such continuous monitoring poses a significant threat to public health and the environment. Currently, Northern and remote communities are disproportionately at risk due to factors such as aging facilities and the unavailability of qualified maintenance staff. A.U.G. Signals Ltd. has developed an Intelligent Water Surveillance system for drinking water, which provides accurate, fast-response solutions to end users. This technology has helped 19 First Nations communities in Ontario achieve real-time continuous drinking water monitoring. Following the successful application of its drinking water quality monitoring system, the company is pursuing the development of a modified prototype for use in municipal wastewater streams. In collaboration with Fleming College's Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT), the project seeks to build, set-up and operate the new apparatus, as well as identify and address inefficiencies to optimize its performance. This work would result in a new line of commercial products that speak to the pressing need for remote water quality monitoring solutions through innovative technologies.