Author: Shannon Smithwick

Water Connections Activities

Menu Project Sponsors This project was made possible by the very generous support of an anonymous donor and Project Supporters Pulling together a project of this size takes a lot […]

World Water Facts

How is your water trivia collection?   Are you ready to stun your friends with water facts?   If not, we can help.   Keep reading for a collection of facts that we […]

St. Mary River Irrigation District 

The following is a complete list of all projects included in the St. Mary River Irrigation District (SMRID) under this program. There are 29 pipeline modernization projects, one structure rehabilitation […]

Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District  

The following is the complete list of all projects included in the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District (LNID) under this program. There are six modernization projects Modernization Projects  Lateral H1 Phase […]

Eastern Irrigation District

The following is a complete list of all projects included in the Eastern Irrigation District (EID) under the modernization program. There are 28 pipeline projects, four canal rehabilitation projects, and […]

Bow River Irrigation District

The following is a complete list of all projects included in the Bow River Irrigation District (BRID) under this program. There are seven modernization projects and one reservoir project. Modernization […]

H2-Oh!

“All the water that will ever be is, right now.” —National Geographic, 1993  Over time, we’ve collected a few facts on our provincial, national and global water trends and statistics. These […]

Follow the Drop

Welcome to the Follow the Drop “Choose Your Own Adventure” game where you get to imagine yourself as a drop of water traveling through the Bow River Watershed. As you […]

Welcome to the Nexus Simulator

This simulator demonstrates how different patterns in energy generation and consumption, crop irrigation, and household water use patterns impacts the Bow River Basin. Water connects food, energy, and people. It’s […]

We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.

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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.