On June 22nd, over one hundred and sixty water professionals came together to celebrate innovators and influencers in the water sector at the Water’s Next Awards Gala—part of the 8th annual Canadian Water Summit. Gala attendees enjoyed a four-course meal, laughter, and even shed a few tears.

Water Canada editor, Katherine Balpataky and emcee, Fred Keating presented awards in 11 categories with forty finalists from across Canada. “This year, we received nearly 60 submissions, and with the Selection Committee’s help they were whittled down to three or four finalists in each award category,” said Balpataky.

“The awards themselves have two divisions. One is for the awards given to individuals—let’s call them “people,” yeah, the People division. And the other division we refer to as the Projects or Technology Division,” added emcee Fred Keating.

“We are small industry, but we are a big family,” said Jeremy Duguay, Research & Development Manager for Luminultra.

The 2017 winners are:

People – Business:

Cameron Manners accepts the award for Aquam.
Cameron Manners accepts the award for Aquam. Credit: Actual Media.

People – Academia: Edmund (Ted) Molyneux, P.Eng, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, partnership with the University of British Columbia & RES’EAU-WaterNET Strategic Network

Ted Molyneaux
Ted Molyneaux. Credit: Actual Media.

People – NGO:  Katrina Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada

Caroline Dubois, Director of the Water Program at ‎The Gordon Foundation accepting the award on behalf of •Katrina Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada.
Caroline Dubois, Director of the Water Program at ‎The Gordon Foundation accepting the award on behalf of  Katrina Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada. Credit: Actual Media.

People – Government: Zoe Kirk, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Ted Molyneux, from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada accept the award on Zoe’s behalf. Credit: Actual Media.

People – Young Professional:  Josie Ann Langelier & Stefanie Recollet (joint nomination)

Stefanie Recollet, left, and Josie Ann Langelier from the Wahnapitae First Nation for their creation of the Water Keepers Journey. Credit: Actual Media.

Project/Technology – Drinking Water: LuminUltra Technologies

Jeremy Duguay, Research & Development Manager for Luminultra.
Jeremy Duguay, Research & Development Manager for Luminultra. Credit: Actual Media.

Project/Technology – Wastewater:  Lystek International Inc.

Photo: The Lystek team. Credit: Actual Media.
Photo: The Lystek team. Credit: Actual Media.

Project/Technology – Water Resources: The Bloom Centre for Sustainability (BLOOM)

Kevin Jones, at the Water's Next Awards Gala reception.
Kevin Jones, at the Water’s Next Awards Gala reception. Credit: Actual Media.

Project/Technology – Stormwater: City of Guelph – rainwater harvesting system business wash project

DSC_0026
Emily Stahl Manager, Technical Services, City of Guelph. Credit: Actual Media.

Project/Technology – Conveyance: Liquiforce

Robert Haller right, presented the award to the Liquiforce team (L-R) Alec Turnbull, Brandon Windsor, Kim Lewis, Bill Thorpe, Darcy Warren, Kim Lewis, centre. Katherine Balpataky, far right.
Robert Haller right, presented the award to the Liquiforce team (L-R) Alec Turnbull, Brandon Windsor, Kim Lewis, Bill Thorpe, Darcy Warren, Kim Lewis, centre. Katherine Balpataky, far right.

Company of the Year: Lystek International Inc.

Kevin Litwiller, Director of Marketing & Business Development for Lystek International.
Photo: Kevin Litwiller, Director of Marketing & Business Development for Lystek International. Credit: Actual Media.

Water Steward of the Year: Katrina Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada

(L-R) Nelson Switzer, Nestlé Water North America (presenter); Caroline Dubois, The Gordon Foundation (accepting on Katrina's behalf); Katherine Balpataky, Water Canada.
Photo: (L-R) Nelson Switzer, Nestlé Water North America (presenter); Caroline Dubois, The Gordon Foundation (accepting on Katrina’s behalf); Katherine Balpataky, Water Canada. Credit: Actual Media.

The 2017 Water’s Next Gala was sponsored by RBC, Nestlé Waters North America, Lystek, Liquiforce, The BLOOM  Centre for Sustainability, and Cole Engineering.

Water Canada magazine’s Water’s Next Award program is the only national awards program to honour leadership across the entire water sector—including public servants, non-governmental groups, researchers, municipalities, and technology providers. Since 2010, Water Canada has hosted the awards to help strengthen and celebrate the thriving national community by showcasing Canada’s water leaders, champions, and innovators. Nominations for 2018 will open in the fall. Visit watersnext.ca for updates.

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