POWI Research
Since its formation in 2001, The Program on Water Issues has earned widespread recognition for its ability to develop collaborative research, facilitate dialogue, and provide timely education on critical freshwater issues. Working collaboratively with experts, institutions, agencies and NGOs, POWI has developed discussion papers and hosted conferences on a range of important and emerging freshwater issues including:
- Climate change, freshwater and the role of science (2012)
- The future of the Columbia River Treaty (2012)
- Environmental monitoring of oil sands development (2011)
- The impacts of shale gas development on water (2010)
- The impacts of carbon capture and storage on groundwater (2009)
- A Model Act for preserving Canada’s waters from bulk export (2008)
- The downstream impacts of oil sands development on the Great Lakes (2008)
- The impacts of oil sands development on the Athabasca River (2007)
- Water, energy and North American integration (2007)
- Great Lakes water use, diversion and bulk water export (2004/2005)
- Groundwater in North America (2002) and the Great Lakes Basin (2003)
In 2007, POWI established the Canadian Water Issues Council (CWIC), a group of Canada’s most knowledgeable water experts, to provide advice on critical water issues.
Where appropriate, POWI translates reports into French.
- Water / Energy Nexus ▸
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POWI’s research examines the connections between water and energy, including the environmental and political implications.
- Bulk Water Export ▸
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POWI’s work focuses on the need to prevent bulk water diversions and export and how it can be achieved.
- Groundwater ▸
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POWI’s research examines the threats to groundwater, pressures on the resource, regulatory oversight and how to achieve sustainable use.
- Oil Sands ▸
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POWI’s research looks at the impacts of oil sands development on freshwater and identifies approaches for effective environmental monitoring.
- Shale Gas ▸
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POWI’s research examines the potential impacts of shale gas development on groundwater, along with liability and legal issues and government oversight.
- Carbon Capture and Storage ▸
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POWI’s research examines CCS – the technology, the risks to groundwater, liability issues and government oversight.
- Restructuring Water Supplies ▸
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POWI’s work examines issues associated with the privatization of municipal water and wastewater services.
- Canada-US Transboundary Water Issues ▸
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POWI’s work addresses issues arising in boundary and transboundary waters, including allocations, diversions and management.
- Other Water Issues ▸
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Miscellaneous freshwater issues.