Objectives

The Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) is focused on achieving a scope of constructed wetland research that does not presently exist in Canada. As a hub for constructed wetland and alternative wastewater treatment expertise, research and resources, CAWT's objectives are:

to encourage, facilitate and coordinate applied research on alternative wastewater treatment technologies provincially, nationally and internationally, with a focus on constructed wetlands.
to promote interdisciplinary interest, applied research, and unique facilities in the study of alternative wastewater technologies for university and college use.
to advocate public policy and regulatory changes that would facilitate the application of alternative wastewater treatment technologies in Ontario.
to collaborate with provincial and municipal governments, health units, industry, and other agencies to identify research needs and develop pilot-scale projects or experiments to address these needs.
to facilitate the exchange of information between CAWT programs and external agencies through a library, web-based clearinghouse and partnerships with regulatory agencies, consulting engineering firms, industry and researchers.
to provide educational programs for students, wastewater practitioners, government and industry representatives in the form of workshops, short courses, conference presentations, demonstration projects and factsheets about alternative wastewater technology.