SOWC and the University of Guelph, in collaboration with the City of Guelph, have broken ground on a project to construct a research, development and demonstration facility for wastewater technologies and services. Located at the Guelph Wastewater Facility, the SOWC facility will help to grow new innovations and the local economy.

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has approved an amendment to the City’s existing Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) to enable access to different streams of the wastewater treatment process. This will allow research, development and demonstration activities to take place at the SOWC facility, with all post-processed wastewater returned back to the City’s plant. This access will save time and money for companies which will not be required to obtain an ECA. The MOE clearly demonstrated its commitment to innovative approaches in its support and collaboration moving this innovative project forward.

Together, SOWC, the University of Guelph and the City of Guelph have created a platform for wastewater innovators. The research, development and demonstration facility will attract companies through providing the capacity they need, benefiting regional municipalities through creating economic growth, and increasing the presence of Southern Ontario to the global wastewater sector.