WC145 NovDec 2025 - Magazine - Page 15
WATER STEWARD
OF THE YEAR:
CHARLES GOSS
With more than 16
years of experience in
water and wastewater
research, engineering
design and environmental
remediation, Dr. Charles Goss is emerging as a leading voice
in Canada’s water sector. A Project Manager and Team Lead
in Water Treatment at Carollo Engineers, Goss specializes in
treatment process evaluation, chemical optimization, and smallscale systems serving rural and First Nation communities.
A Ph.D. graduate from the University of Manitoba and guest
lecturer at the University of Ottawa, he is both a licensed
Project Management Professional (PMP) and Professional
Chemist (P.Chem.). His expertise has been showcased through
high-profile publications, and he has contributed to academic
research on disinfection by-products and water quality,
cementing his reputation as both a practitioner and researcher
in advancing safe, sustainable water systems.
POLICY:
Carousel Media Inc.
LINDA LI
Linda Li, an environmental
engineer with Dillon
Consulting, has become a
recognized leader in the
global water community.
At Dillon Consulting, she
leads the design and delivery of complex water and wastewater
infrastructure projects. Her work has ranged from environmental
compliance consulting for industrial clients in Toronto to
developing critical water systems in Belize.
Her influence extends beyond technical work. Li has been
serving on the Program Committee for the International Water
Association (IWA) World Water Congress and helping shape international dialogue on water challenges. She was recently selected as a 2024–2026 ISWA LeaP Leadership Fellow, representing
Canada among a global cohort of emerging professionals.
In Canada, Li has championed diversity and mentorship
in engineering by co-founding the Women in Engineering
Committee at Professional Engineers Ontario and has
contributed to Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30 initiative. She
has also held leadership roles with the Water Environment
Association of Ontario.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
DRINKING WATER - LARGE:
HAMILTON’S WATER EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
In Hamilton, a bold shift in how the city manages its drinking
water system is delivering big results. By decommissioning 10
autoflushers, the city now saves more than 94,000m³ of nonrevenue water each year, while also cutting energy use and
greenhouse gas emissions.
At the same time, a trenchless watermain lining program
is extending the life of aging infrastructure with minimal
disruption, improving water quality and reliability across the
system. Combining innovation with collaboration, Hamilton has
shown how sustainable infrastructure management can achieve
measurable environmental, operational and financial gains.
DRINKING WATER - SMALL:
HIAWATHA FIRST NATION WATER TREATMENT PLANT
AND DISTRIBUTION
For the Hiawatha First Nation, the completion of a new water
treatment plant and distribution system represents far more
than upgraded infrastructure—it marks the end of a longstanding dependence on boiled water. Launched in 2019, the
project was guided by early stakeholder engagement, strategic
management and culturally sensitive collaboration.
By centering local involvement and aligning with
community values, the team delivered a smooth, sustainable
implementation. The result is reliable access to clean drinking
water and a powerful example of how inclusive, well-managed
projects can drive lasting change for Indigenous communities.
POLICY:
LAKE WINNIPEG FOUNDATION
The Lake Winnipeg Foundation has transformed advocacy
into measurable action, advancing policies and practices
that directly improve water quality. Their leadership extends
beyond the lake itself, offering a model for addressing water
management challenges across Canada.
Through securing funding, shaping government action at
every level and mobilizing communities, the foundation has
shown how collaborative, persistent advocacy can create
lasting environmental change. Their work demonstrates that
effective policy is not only about regulation but about uniting
people and resources around a shared vision for clean,
resilient waters.
WATER C AN ADA • NOV EMBER/ DECEMBER 2025
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