Global Institute for Water Security

Renewability of fossil groundwaters affected by present-day climate conditions - Nature Geoscience The hydraulic response time of aquifers with similar residence times varies widely across the globe. Water levels in some aquifers containing fossil groundwater can be controlled by modern climates, a...

⚒️ Brief Communication: Renewability of fossil groundwaters affected by present-day climate conditions

@water.usask.ca

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

GIWS students head to AquaHacking Prairies Grand Finale - Global Institute for Water Security César Pedrosa Soares and Sam Lucy Behle are heading to Calgary to compete in the AquaHacking Prairies Grand Finale for the chance to win seed funding to launch their water-tech startup.

Developed by their team, Consilience, the tech autonomously monitors lakes & rivers to detect aquatic invasive species early, before they cause lasting ecological & economic harm.

Learn more: water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

@aquaaction.bsky.social @albertainnovates.bsky.social @yourcier.bsky.social

@usask.ca graduate students César Pedrosa Soares and Sam Lucy Behle are heading to the @aquaaction.bsky.social AquaHacking Prairies Grand Finale to pitch their innovative water-technology solution, Drift-Eye Swarm (Fluvius Brain), to a panel of judges for an opportunity to fund their idea.

Please join us for our next conversation on women + cryospheric decade, focusing on investing in inclusive, youth-focused leadership development to shape the next generation of leaders working to protect and steward the cryosphere.

All are welcome!

Register here: water.usask.ca/events/2026/...

Exploring the Health Impacts of Air Quality from Drought - Global Institute for Water Security Krishna Kolen is working with Mistawasis Nêhiyawak to learn more about how air quality due to drought affects the health of community members.

Student Feature: Krishna Kolen

Krishna has partnered with Mistawasis Nêhiyawak to understand local air quality impacts from drought/dust/smoke and how these affect health at a community level.

Learn more about Krishna’s research & why community-led approaches matter: water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

Heavy snowfall in Alberta Rockies will help break cycle of winter droughts, experts say | Watch News Videos Online Watch Heavy snowfall in Alberta Rockies will help break cycle of winter droughts, experts say Video Online, on GlobalNews.ca

The Eastern Rockies snowpacks are at 140-200% of normal levels, which will help break out of the drought cycle the region has experienced for much of the last 10 years.

From our team to you and yours, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the New Year!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Women Plus Water Conversation Series! Join experts from around the world for inspiring conversations around #water.

Join us on Dec 4 for a presentation by Grant Ferguson reflecting on his year travelling around the world discussing groundwater as the National Ground Water Association Darcy Lecturer.

Join us for lunch in person, or contact us if you are unable to attend!

Register: water.usask.ca/events/2025/...

Proud moment for our #water community: #USask is ranked #1 in Canada for Water Resources in the 2025 ShanghaiRankings!

As the home of GIWS, we’re proud to see USask's leadership in water science, innovation, and training recognized on the world stage.

Sanitation for All: A Women's Perspective Abstract. Can women bring a fresh perspective to the provision of global sanitation services? The co-authors of this book, through their strong socio-polit

Today is #WorldToiletDay. 3.4 Billion people still lack safe sanitation, and women and girls feel the impacts most.

To learn more, we're sharing a free book co-authored by our Executive Director 👇

📘 Sanitation for All: A Women’s Perspective: iwaponline.com/ebooks/book/...

Poster for a call for art to the changing cryospheres online gallery. Image includes a photograph of mountains and ice reflected in a calm pool of glacial meltwater with information on where to learn more (virtualwatergallery.ca)

Calling all artists! #SciArt

The #VirtualWaterGallery + @glacieryearcanada.bsky.social are curating a new digital gallery on glaciers, ice, and transformation. Submit artwork that connects to cold places, lived experience, or change in the cryosphere.

www.virtualwatergallery.ca/cc-call-for-...

Visiting Student Explores the Impact of the Spiny Water Flea in Canada - Global Institute for Water Security Sam Lucy Behle is uncovering how a tiny invader, the spiny water flea, is reshaping Canada’s lakes

Visiting PhD student, @samlucy.bsky.social, is studying the spread and impact of the invasive spiny water flea in Canada’s freshwater lakes.

Her work helps identify vulnerable ecosystems and informs strategies to protect biodiversity and water quality.

Read more: water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

USask Hydrologist Honoured with Prestigious AGU Medal - Global Institute for Water Security Dr. Jeffrey J. McDonnell of the University of Saskatchewan has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Robert E. Horton Medal by the American Geophysical Union for his groundbreaking contributions to hydrol...

Congratulations to Dr. Jeff McDonnell from @usask.ca for being awarded the @agu.org 2025 Robert E. Horton Medal for his important contributions to hydrology and water security!

Read more: water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

Join us for Water-Industry Connections on Oct 20 at USask (1:30–4:15 PM, Convocation Hall).

The event will include Industry and research perspectives, followed by networking and posters.

Register (free) and submit your poster here - space is limited: water.usask.ca/events/2025/...

New study shows how Amazon trees use recent rainfall in the dry season and support the production of their own rain Researchers explain how trees in the rainforest efficiently recycle water through rain to keep themselves hydrated in the dry season.

A new study by GIWS alum Magali Nehemy shows that in the dry season, Amazon trees recycle recent rainfall from shallow soils by rapidly transpiring it back into the atmosphere. This sustains the forest and contributes to “flying rivers” that help maintain rainfall across South America.

Next week is Postdoc Appreciation Week! Join CGPS from Sept. 15-19, to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of postdoctoral scholars at #USask. Register for Postdoc Appreciation events: buff.ly/o0KzPHK

A special thank you goes out to Meewasin Valley Authority for joining our river walk and sharing the incredible work they are doing for Saskatoon and the surrounding area! #yxe

GIWS was delighted to host alum Julian Klause along with 19 geography students from the University of Bonn! Their visit included tours of our water and drone labs, a walk along the river, and a field trip to the iconic St. Denis National Wildlife Area.

Yesterday was #WorldLakeDay!

Since 2014, researchers have monitored Buffalo Pound Lake to track bloom dynamics and deliver live data that helps provide clean drinking water to 25% of Saskatchewan.

Learn more research-groups.usask.ca/baulch/buffa...

@usask.ca @gwfobservatories.bsky.social

Environmental Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification & Characterisation Workshop
2–6 Feb 2026
@unibirmingham.bsky.social

Practical skills in microplastic sampling, processing, and analysis across aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Register now 👉 shop.bham.ac.uk/conferences-...

Correction: Lethbridge Polytech

Even in a Dry Year, Saskatoon's Drinking Water Is Reliable - Global Institute for Water Security Saskatoon's water remains safe and reliable, even with low river levels, thanks to careful planning and ongoing monitoring.

Despite low flows in the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon’s water system is ready and resilient—thanks to strong planning, science-informed decisions, and ongoing monitoring.

@cityofsaskatoon.bsky.social

water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

A new Water Health NSERC CREATE program will launch this fall!

This research & training program will examine the impact of physical, biological, chemical, & climatic stressors on water & human health

Read the new article in CWRA's Water News cwra.org/resources/wa...

water.usask.ca/waterhealth-...

#PhDOpportunity: N₂O Emissions in Irrigated Cropping Systems

Start: Fall 2025/Winter 2026
📍@ulethbridge.ca, with coursework at @usask.ca

Position is a part of CanN20Net and FWNET NSERC Create programs

water.usask.ca/documents/jo...

Raising awareness of the unseen environmental impacts of floods - News Floods are becoming increasingly common and intensifying across the globe.

#USask researcher Dr. Markus Brinkmann is raising awareness about the environmental and health concerns that persist after flood waters recede.

“If you get a flood wave rushing through, you get deposition of harmful chemicals.”

#USaskResearch
news.usask.ca/articles/res...

#PostDoc Opportunity: Remote Sensing of Carbon Dynamics in Beaver-Engineered Peatlands

Join @usask.ca to study how beavers shape montane peatlands and impact carbon stocks. Candidates must have expertise in #RemoteSensing

Application reviews start August 15th. usask.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...

The Weight of Time - Frontiers 2025 Report - Global Institute for Water Security The Frontiers Report spotlights emerging environmental issues before they escalate into global or regional crises. While these issues may currently appear localised or small-scale, early intervention is critical to prevent them from becoming widespread challenges.

The UN Environment Programme has released its Frontiers 2025 report, spotlighting emerging environmental issues with urgent global implications.

Markus Brinkmann, Director of @toxcentre.bsky.social and GIWS member, co-authoured the chapter with support of many!

water.usask.ca/news-items/2...

Lots of rain expected in the headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River basin.

For those who are local - stay safe and informed!