The International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition was held in Toronto, Canada, from August 11 to 15, 2024.
The IWA is the organization that brings together science and practice of water management in order to reach a world in which water is wisely managed to satisfy the needs of human activities and ecosystems in an equitable and sustainable way. The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2024 was a large-scale gathering, attracting over 7,000 participants from around the world, including more than 900 presenters and 250 exhibitors. The conference featured over 200 sessions and displayed 400 academic posters, highlighting the latest research and technologies in water resource management and pollution control.
A workshop titled “Collaborative Solutions for Emerging Contaminants under Climate Change” chaired by Dr. Bing Chen, UArctic Research Chair, Professor, & Associate Dean from Memorial University, was successfully hosted on August 15. It focused on the discussion of the emerging contaminants issues, including flame retardants, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and derivatives, and hazardous & noxious substances (HNS), etc. These pollutants, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, pose significant threats to environmental and public health, necessitating urgent and collaborative solutions.
The workshop featured four expert speakers and called for global collaborative and innovative solutions to emerging contaminant challenges. Dr. Chris Marvin, Research Scientist and Section Head in Environmental Analytical Chemist, Environment and Climate Change Canada, delivered an insightful talk on Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in the environment and associated ecological risks. Dr. Raj Chavan, Vice President and National Wastewater & Reuse Technical Lead at AtkinsRéalis, USA, presented an eye-opening session on PPCPs in the environment. He highlighted their widespread impacts and the related mitigation strategies. Dr. Roland Kallenborn, UArctic Chair & Professor from Norwegian University of Life Sciences, discussed Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs) and their regulations. Dr. Baiyu (Helen) Zhang, Canada Research Chair & Professor from Memorial University, shared valuable insights on managing marine HNS and mitigating their spills under climate change.
The workshop concluded in a lively roundtable discussion among participants. Ideas and strategies for tackling the challenges posed by these emerging contaminants were fervently exchanged. Dr. Satinder Kaur Brar, the James and Joanne Love Chair & Professor from York University, Canada, gave a comprehensive summary of the workshop and delivered closing remarks.
