Greywater Recycling Project Moves to Next Stage

The research project headed by Dr. Stephanie Young of the University of Regina (U of R) will move to the next stage with new funding from Communities of Tomorrow and the Government of Canada.

Dr. Young and her team are involved in a long term study to develop technology that will allow greywater, such as the waste water from sinks, to be reclaimed and recycled for other purposes, rather than simply flushed down the drain.

Communities of Tomorrow on behalf of Enterprise Saskatchewan and the federal government are providing $277,000 in project funding to allow Dr. Young to install and pilot test greywater reclamation technology at the University of Regina’s Research & Innovation Centre.

Researchers will be pilot testing five plants that reclaim and reuse greywater for small applications. Substituting reclaimed water for purposes that do not require high-quality drinking water, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, helps extend available fresh water supplies, and also substantially decreases the wastewater load into sewage collection systems.

The reclamation plants are expected to be commercialized nationally and internationally where they will help conserve water resources and protect aquatic ecosystems. Six patents have already been submitted for assessment for the innovative technology in the U of R pilot plants.

Announcement of the new funding came at a news conference held at the U of R.

“Our government is committed to supporting innovative research to find new products and technologies that provide made-in-Canada solutions to environmental challenges such as water scarcity,” said the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. 

“Saskatchewan institutions have been at the forefront in developing technologies that assist industry to preserve the environment while maximizing output,” Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “It is why we support the greywater reclamation project. We want to see more of our innovations go from the labs to market for everyday use.”

“Communities of Tomorrow supports the development of technologies and innovative solutions for problems municipalities face every day,” said John Lee, President of Communities of Tomorrow.  “Solutions to infrastructure challenges, like this greywater reclamation technology can be developed, tested and prepared for the world market right here in Saskatchewan.”

Communities of Tomorrow has provided important support to Dr. Young in the past, funding the work to build and perfect a prototype of her greywater reclamation system.

“We are proud of Stephanie and her team, and look forward to seeing the commercial application of her research,” said John Lee.