The presentations share research that supports safer drinking water by improving treatment approaches for PFAS and natural organic matter.
[Walkerton, ON] – The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) will spotlight its applied research and scientific leadership with two staff presentations at the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA) NextWave 2026 Conference, taking place May 4–7, 2026. The annual conference is one of Ontario’s premier gatherings for water and wastewater professionals.
NextWave brings together municipal leaders, operators, engineers, researchers, regulators, and decision‑makers to explore emerging challenges, innovations and best practices shaping the future of the water sector. WCWC’s contributions this year focus on two pressing issues facing drinking water utilities: PFAS contamination and natural organic matter (NOM) management.
Presentation 1: Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Using Nanofiltration, Granular Activated Carbon, and Emerging Adsorbents
Presenter: Sonia Jaberi, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, WCWC
Date & Time: May 6, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm | Room 221/222
PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” pose a growing challenge for drinking water utilities due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential health impacts. Recent regulatory updates from both the U.S. EPA and Health Canada highlight the urgency of effective PFAS monitoring and treatment.
This presentation shares bench‑scale research from the WCWC evaluating PFAS removal at ambient concentrations using nanofiltration, granular activated carbon, and novel proprietary adsorbents. Findings will help inform future pilot‑scale testing and support utilities in selecting effective PFAS treatment strategies.
Attendees will gain practical insight into the comparative effectiveness of these technologies, their potential application at the utility level, and how bench-scale testing can inform future pilot and full-scale PFAS treatment strategies.
Presentation 2: Bench-Scale Study for NOM Removal Using GAC, Ion Exchange, and MIEX® Pretreatment
Presenter: Gisell Pazmino, Ph.D., Scientist, WCWC
Date & Time: May 7, 10 am – 10:30 am | Room 201/202
Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex mixture of organic compounds commonly present in source waters and can significantly impact drinking water treatment by increasing coagulant and disinfectant demand, promoting disinfection by-products (DBP) formation, and influencing metal mobility and corrosion.
This presentation summarizes bench-scale testing of four NOM removal and DBP control strategies: coagulation/flocculation, fixed-bed ion exchange, granular activated carbon filtration, and magnetic ion exchange (MIEX®), . Using surface water with elevated dissolved organic carbon, the study compares treatment effectiveness and performance over time.
Attendees will learn how different treatment processes perform under high‑NOM conditions, key removal efficiencies and operational considerations, and how these findings can inform technology selection and future optimization of NOM and DBP control strategies at the utility level.
“These sessions highlight how applied research and bench‑scale testing can guide effective treatment strategies. We’re pleased to share insights that support innovation and continuous improvement across Ontario’s drinking water systems.”
– Kara Rutherford, CEO of the WCWC
For more information about the WCWC, please visit www.wcwc.ca or contact us at 1-866-515-0550 or training@wcwc.ca.