About Us

Making Water Information Accessible

The movement of people and the establishment of settlements have been influenced by the abundance and distribution of water since time immemorial. With the further migration of people and the rise of industrialization, demand for water has evolved globally. Growing human populations, rising demand for natural resources, and a changing climate have made informed water decision-making at individual and institutional levels vital to the maintenance of healthy water supplies in our society.

Today’s water challenges and opportunities cross many different jurisdictions, stakeholders, and communities. Addressing the protection, allocation, and management of our water resources and water systems requires creative mechanisms for dialogue and networking, as well as coordinated efforts to explore and share data and experiences among water users, managers, researchers, and educators.

To achieve this as a charitable organization, we work closely with private, public, and other non-profit organizations, supported by industry and water experts. We have forged successful partnerships with all levels of government, academic institutions, environmental non-government organizations, corporate partners and advisory councils, and irrigation districts. The Canada WaterPortal contributes to how we collectively share and collaborate on water information and knowledge, for the benefit of all Canadians.

Our Mission

Weeducate and inform Canadians on the value of water as a vital resource by providing objective information to enable better water practices for the environmental, economic, and social benefit of all. 

Our Vision

Make the Canada WaterPortal the most relevant, trusted, and accessible source for water education and informational resources in Canada. 

Our Impact

Here is a snapshot of our website’s reach and activity between May and October 2024.

49,820

users

95,936

page views

747

news stories

Our Values

Integrity

To operate transparently, without bias and with inclusivity.

Quality

To openly share scientifically credible water data and information. 

Inclusivity

To educate users from various perspectives on water issues, allowing them to make informed decisions.

Connectivity

To connect divergent interests and content sources, encourage dialogue, and generate solutions that benefit all Canadians.

A Registered Charity Timeline

  • In 2006, inspired by the Water For Life strategy in Alberta, the Alberta WaterPortal was founded to provide inclusive research, community engagement, and educational activities to improve the public’s understanding of the importance of water in Alberta, as well as providing Albertans with the knowledge needed to make better water management decisions. 
  • In March 2014, the Alberta WaterPortal Society received Canada Revenue Agency approval to operate as a registered charity (807121876RR0001). 
  • In 2024, the Alberta WaterPortal became the Canada WaterPortal, anticipating a need for an engaging water information hub that addresses the interconnected water systems existing in Canada and beyond. 
  • The Canada WaterPortal Society oversees the WaterPortal. The Canada WaterPortal Society is the charitable continuation of the original Alberta Society for Sustainable Water Management and Related Technologies. 

Some of Our Initiatives

  • Weekday news clippings of water-related articles from Canada and around the world which we think you will find interesting.
  • Weekly Newsletter collating information about current events and recent discoveries in water from Canada and around the globe.
  • The Alberta Water Nexus Project, which shares and educates the public on competing demands for water.
  • The Bog (blog) which highlights current events, news, and encourages discussion and dialogue around water issues and challenges.
  • Environmental Conditions Reporting developed on behalf of the Bow River Basin Council.
  • Consistent social media via X (formerly Twitter).

Acknowledgements

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Special thanks to Alberta Innovates – Energy and Environment Solutions (AIEES) and Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) for their support of the precursor to the Canada WaterPortal.

Additional thanks to the Bow River Basin Council and Suncor Foundation for their help getting our precursor off the ground.

Thank you to Commerx for helping us modernize our web platform.

Lastly, thanks to WaterSMART Solutions Ltd. for their continued support.

Support Our Work

If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the WaterPortal Society, click the ‘Donate Now’ button below, and you will be redirected to our Canada Helps fundraising page.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.