Research Talks: Water crisis in Waterloo Region

Clean, reliable water is often taken for granted in Canada, yet growing pressures from climate change, population growth, aging infrastructure, and governance challenges are reshaping our relationship with this essential resource.

Research Talks: Water Crisis in Waterloo Region is a free public event bringing together researchers, infrastructure experts, policymakers, and community leaders to explore the future of water security and sustainability in our region. Through engaging discussions and diverse perspectives, panelists will examine groundwater reliance, long-term infrastructure planning, community engagement, and the challenges of water governance across jurisdictions.

The conversation begins with Indigenous perspectives on stewardship and responsibility, grounding the discussion in long-standing relationships with water and the land. Speakers will also highlight how research and science support water treatment, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience, while global examples from Texas, Australia, and Europe demonstrate how communities worldwide are addressing similar challenges.

Designed for community audiences, this accessible event encourages practical understanding and meaningful dialogue, empowering participants to better understand local water systems and the role we all play in protecting them for future generations.