Articles by author: Brock University

  • World Water Day: Brock prof says reclaimed wastewater is one answer to shortages

    MEDIA RELEASE: 21 March 2017 – R00061

    Research by Brock University Professor of Economics Diane Dupont has shown that reclaimed wastewater can be a reliable source for water that is more resilient to climate change fluctuations.

    This alternative method for water supply is the theme of World Water Day on Wednesday, March 22 with UN-Water encouraging the population to reduce and reuse wastewater rather than leaving it untreated to pollute the environment and go to waste.
    After the collection, treatment and disinfection, subsequent uses of wastewater include flushing toilets, agricultural irrigation and cooling of buildings.
    Dupont’s study, “Water use restrictions or wastewater recycling? A Canadian willingness to pay study for reclaimed wastewater,” established that a large proportion of Canadians are willing to consider the use of reclaimed wastewater in these instances.
    “These results indicate that Canadian consumers are aware of the value of wastewater for uses they find acceptable, and are willing to include wastewater as part of their household water supply as a means of more consistent water flows,” says Dupont, Director of the Water Economics, Policy and Governance Network (WEGPN). “This finding underscores how water utilities and other water managers can incorporate reused water feasibly.”
    A new study, “Canadian Water Attitudes,” confirmed Canadians value our water and see our lakes and rivers as a vital part of national identity; but the study also revealed a troubling carelessness with our most valuable resource.

    Canada is a water-rich country with seven per cent of the world’s reliable flow of freshwater and many of the world’s largest rivers. But the country still faces a number of significant water-related challenges, including the steady rise of water shortages and reduced reliability of traditional water supplies due to climate change.
    Reusing water has been recommended as a way to mitigate the increasing challenges on the water system caused by seasonal shortages and droughts.
    Dupont’s most recent book co-edited with the late Steven Renzetti, Water Policy and Governance in Canada, marks a major contribution to related research approaches to issues of water governance and management in Canada, and includes research from several Brock researchers, including Timothy Heinmiller, Associate Professor of Political Science and WEGPN researcher. 
    “Canadians tend to take water for granted, most of the time; but, when water resources are threatened, water becomes highly salient and intensely political,” says Heinmiller. “Some of the most protracted political conflicts in Canada have been about water, particularly in water scarce areas like the southern Prairies.”
    In his recently published book, Water Policy Reform in Southern Alberta, Heinmiller explores how water is allocated among competing uses in one of the most water-scarce areas of Canada.

    The WEPGN is a Canada-wide research initiative that has been headquartered at Brock since it was founded in 2012. The network connects researchers and partners to facilitate meaningful and urgent research into the social, economic and political dimensions of water and develop new knowledge to improve the management of water resources in Canada and abroad.
     
    For more information on World Water Day and recycling water, visit worldwaterday.org.
     

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
     
    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

    Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Brock students sleep outside to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Niagara

    MEDIA RELEASE: 20 March 2017 – R00060:

    Monica Gola-Macdonald has never been homeless, but she has a lot of compassion for those who are.

    The first-year Brock University accounting student is part of a group who will be sleeping outside this week as part of the national 5 Days for the Homeless campaign to raise funds and awareness for homelessness, particularly among at-risk youth.

    “A lot of people walk by homelessness and don’t think about it but we’re trying to bring to their attention how prevalent of an issue this is in our community,” Gola-Macdonald said.

    Students participating in the campaign give up necessities and comforts such as shelter, proper sleeping arrangements, access to food (except what is donated to them), heat, lighting and showers.

    With the exception of using technology for homework and sharing their experience on social media to promote the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign, students will give up their smartphones and laptops while continuing to attend class throughout the week.

    “These students are willing to give up their luxuries to help us raise awareness on campus of these issues and we’re so grateful to them for stepping up to participate,” said Karen Lau, a fourth year business student and the Vice President of Human Resources for the Goodman Business Students’ Association (BSA) who is taking a lead role in planning Brock’s involvement in the campaign.

    “Youth homelessness is real and it’s not something that should be overlooked. People often do not realize how fortunate they are to live under a roof and to have meals every single day,” she said. “Sometimes we have to take a step back from our own situation in order to help a cause like this that is very real in our community.”
    The Goodman Business Students’ Association partners annually with Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold on 5 Days initiative, which saw donations of more than $7,500 last year. This year’s team has set a fundraising goal of $10,000. 

    The student group is collecting donations — both monetary and non-perishable food — to support Community Care’s Housing Help program, which Catherine Livingston says will have a big impact on the local community.

    “Any initiative to bring awareness to the public is vital and has significant impact,” said Livingston, Manager of Housing Help for Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorold. “Youth homelessness is on the rise, so the discussion and the issues need to be kept in the forefront.”

    “The awareness created by this initiative articulates the issue of homelessness nationally,” said Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care, St. Catharines and Thorold.

    “Having these young people tell the story of homelessness through their eyes is very impactful. I commend their concern and commitment to community.”

    Students will be set up outside along McKenzie Chown A Block starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 20 and will be accepting non-perishable food and cash donations from March 20-24. Online donations are also being accepted at 5days.ca/brock throughout the month of March.

    There is a Music Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. on March 20 and Karaoke Night on March 22 at 8 p.m. in support of the initiative. Both events will take place at Skybar Lounge.
     

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
     
    * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

    Brock University Marketing and Communications has a full-service studio where we can provide high definition video and broadcast-quality audio.

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    Categories: Media releases