About Alberta WaterSMART
Alberta WaterSMART is a not for profit society dedicated to the improvement of water management awareness, technologies and practices in Alberta.
At Alberta WaterSMART, we are committed to improving water management through better technologies and practices.
We are implementing a collaborative model in which our programs are supported through public and private partnerships, with participation from the public and private sectors, business and industry groups and associations, watershed stewardship groups, other environmental communities of interest and dedicated individuals.
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Click here, to view our most recent Alberta WaterSMART slideshow (22 MB)
(Grande Prairie (April, 2009)
Our Programs and Areas of Focus
Our water programs focus on Sharing Knowledge, Facilitating Technology Deployment, Fostering Innovation and Building Awareness.
These water programs include the Alberta WaterPortal enabling the open sharing of water information, a Deployment Program facilitating the application of new water technologies and practices, an Awareness Building Program promoting water knowledge and understanding, and a Water Entrepreneur and Technology (WET) Centre enabling innovation and entrepreneurs.
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Alberta WaterPortal
(click here to view)Alberta WaterSMART, the Bow River Basin Council, IBM Canada and Tesera Systems, with funding and support from the Alberta Research Council, the Suncor Energy Foundation, and the Alberta Water Research Institute, are developing the not for profit Alberta WaterPortal Society (WaterPortal project).
We want the WaterPortal to be a catalyst and capacity builder, a collaborative, multi-stakeholder community for the sharing of water knowledge. A place where anyone can easily find and contribute to the information and knowledge needed to make better water management decisions, and become more actively involved in conserving water. It is our intention to do this in partnership with others already engaged in such activities. We plan on working closely with federal, provincial and local municipal government departments and agencies, as well as industry, educational and research institutes, and other water management and stewardship organizations to bring about this access in a way that adds value and is complimentary to the work many are pursuing.
With support and sponsorship from the Alberta Water Research Institute, the WaterPortal project is developing a new Alberta Water Data Module that will provide access to over 1,000 different sources of water data and information.
The WaterPortal can be viewed at: www.albertawater.com
Water Deployment Program
The goal of WaterSMART's Deployment Program is to promote and facilitate the collaboration of water stakeholders within various key industry sectors to identify and address priority industry research and new pilot application projects.
Through our involvement with Bordeaux Developments, WaterSMART is building a template to be used by new land and property developments to embrace environmental sustainability through the phased implementation of new water technologies and use practices. Our work with Bordeaux Developments has included detailed examination of the Alberta Building and Plumbing Codes related to residential and commercial water conservation, and research into water conservation technologies, practices, and regulatory frameworks in various other jurisdictions worldwide.
Through contracts with several industry organizations and companies, WaterSMART is also participating in several large deployment projects in the energy sector across the province. WaterSMART has been a driving force behind the proposed Edmonton Wastewater Recycle project, which will use treated wastewater for the proposed heavy oil upgraders and industrial development in the regional Industrial Heartland.
WaterSMART is participating with an industry partner in a beneficial reuse of produced water project in southeast Alberta. WaterSMART has recently completed a detailed water study for the Alberta Economic Development Authority that identifies, examines and compares the current status of water characteristics, markets and issues facing Alberta across each of its major water basins, and how these are affecting sustainable economic development.
WaterSMART also recently completed a study for the Alberta Energy Research Institute examining water use in the upstream petroleum industry, and a study for Alberta Environment determining the water requirements for the proposed upgraders in Alberta's Industrial Heartland.
Water Entrepreneur & Technology (WET) Centre
The Water Entrepreneur & Technology (WET) Centre will connect promising start-up and early stage water related companies from across Alberta with engineering and product development expertise, access to equipment, test facilities and labs, validation or accreditation services, prototyping, and the opportunity to demonstrate new water related products in small scale pilot projects in real customer settings.
The WET Centre will connect and bring research, technical and water market domain expertise together in an entrepreneurial, collaborative, market focused community focused on the successful commercialization of water management and conservation products. This program will bring more new water products and services to market quicker, while also contributing directly to each individual project's success. The WET Centre will work in partnership with existing technology commercialization programs and leverage these efforts by bringing new people, new resources, and new energy to build on what is already there.
Awareness Building Program
The Awareness Building program of Alberta WaterSMART provides the public with the knowledge and motivation to get involved in community water conservation initiatives and programs. Significant articles have been carried in the National Post, Calgary Inc., More Magazine, Alberta Venture, and the PEGG. WaterSMART has presented at many public events for many organizations, including the Calgary Chamber of Commerce environment Committee, the Trophy Room Breakfast Club in Calgary, and the Royal Glenora Rotary Club in Edmonton. These forums continue to provide us with valuable insights and timely feedback on new and developing market and technology trends from industry and other stakeholders.