Water is a precious resource. After oxygen, it is the most important substance our bodies require. Without water, or the hydrogen and oxygen atoms that make water, life could not exist on Earth. But our relationship with water is dysfunctional and public understanding of the fresh water resource is lacking.
Water is everywhere, but the presence of water doesn’t mean abundance. Only .007 per cent of all water on the planet is readily accessible for direct human use, says the nonprofit organization Water.org. According to the Government of Ontario, global demand for water will outstrip supply by 40 per cent by 2030. And Peter Brabeck, Chairman of The Nestle Company, believes we’ll run out of water before we run out of oil.
Owing to Ontario’s five Great Lakes and a quarter of a million lakes, rivers and streams, the province is a hub for fresh water expertise. Brabeck’ grim prediction hinges on Ontario’s water scientists and their ability to reach the global community.
Storm water contaminates fresh waterGood Harbour Labs resides on a side street in Mississauga. The eggshell colored walls and standard cubicles in the quiet office flanking the lab are deceptive—the technology developed by Imbrium Systems and refined in this lab is exciting. Imbrium develops technology to combat the harmful effects of storm water on fresh water ecosystems.
As snow melts or rain washes across parking lots, down driveways, through lawns, into soil and along paved roads, toxic chemicals and garbage are ushered along by the flow. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a U.S. environmental action group, storm water rivals sewage plants and factories as a source of damaging pollutants.
“Storm water absolutely must be treated,” says Reagan Davidson, Regional Manager at Imbrium.
An inconspicuous door in the back of Good Harbour’s office opens into a sprawling lab circulating cool, moist air where Imbrium tests technologies designed to clean storm water runoff and protect fresh water resources from contamination. Storm drains carry oil, sediment and debris from urban centers to the natural environment, littering beaches with plastic, clogging creeks and corrupting ecosystems.
