CIMA+ CELEBRATED FOR ENHANCING WATER SYSTEM RESILIENCE IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Interconnection of the Union and Windsor Water Systems project has been recognized with an award from ACEC-Ontario
TORONTO, May 2, 2025 /CNW/ - CIMA+, one of Canada's largest private consulting engineering firms, is honoured to receive an Award of Distinction in the Studies and Research category through ACEC-Ontario's Ontario Engineering Project Awards. This recognition celebrates our innovative study on the interconnection of the Union and Windsor Water Systems, showcasing our commitment to sustainable infrastructure solutions.
The study, commissioned by the Union Water Supply System (UWSS) and the Windsor Utilities Commission (WUC), addressed a pressing challenge faced by municipalities across Canada: the vulnerability of water infrastructure due to climate change, population growth, and aging assets. CIMA+ was engaged to identify workable, cost-effective and sustainable solutions to enhance the resilience and emergency preparedness of the region's water systems by assessing the feasibility of interconnecting two independent water networks.
Through the use of advanced hydraulic modelling, collaborative workshops, and multidisciplinary expertise, CIMA+ developed a technically innovative and sustainable solution: a split central reservoir design. This configuration allows both water systems to function independently under normal operating conditions while providing mutual support in emergencies. The proposed solution enhances system resilience, safeguards the integrity of the water supply system and improves water quality, all while minimizing capital investment by eliminating the need for redundant infrastructure.
"This recognition from ACEC-Ontario underscores our dedication to delivering sustainable, innovative solutions that strengthen essential infrastructure and support the well-being of the communities we serve," said Brian Sudic, Vice President, Infrastructure, Ontario at CIMA+, "We take pride in supporting our clients as they plan and prepare for a more resilient and sustainable future."
The study conducted by CIMA+ focused on delivering long-term social and environmental benefits, in alignment with CIMA+'s core values. By enhancing water storage and conveyance capacity, the system will support regional economic development, ensure reliable access to safe drinking water, and enhance both utilities' ability to respond to emergency situations without compromising water quality or supply.
This award-winning study redefines what inter-municipal collaboration and infrastructure optimization can achieve, highlighting the vital role of engineers and the leadership of CIMA+ in shaping resilient, sustainable communities for the future.
About CIMA+
CIMA+ provides complete consulting engineering services in the areas of Energy and Resources, Infrastructure, Transportation, Buildings, Project Management, Operational and Digital Technologies (including Telecommunication Systems), and Earth and Environment. The search for excellence has been part of our DNA since our founding in 1990, and our teams draw on decades of experience acquired across Canada to deliver quality projects that meet our clients' expectations. This commitment to excellence and quality has allowed CIMA+ to rank among the largest private consulting engineering firms in the country. Today, with over 40 offices across Canada, CIMA+ employs more than 3,400 people, most of whom share ownership in the company.
Our multidisciplinary team is driven by a shared passion to deliver sustainable solutions that make our world a better place.
From our Board of Directors to the communities we serve, our commitment to people is evident in our drive to innovate, in the projects we carry out and in every action we take.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- CTV News
WSIB says negotiations will continue over the weekend looking to end strike
The Vice President of Communications for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) said negotiations will continue over the weekend, but that there needs to be realistic expectations at the table for a deal to be reached. Aaron Lazarus said they're hopeful that a deal can be reached between the Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) and WSIB as the strike continues. Harry Goslin, the President of OCEU, was in Windsor on Friday and joined local workers walking the picket line, stressing that while the two sides are much closer to a deal that wages and workload need to be addressed. Lazarus said that WSIB has a proposal on the table looking to lift wages, and that the company has hired more employees over the last four years to help manage workload. 3,600 unionized workers, including 180 in Windsor, walked off the job on May 21, the first strike in the agency's 111-year history. Lazarus said they've had a proposal put forward for better wages. 'Sees us move from having 60 per cent of our unionized members make $100,000 a year or more, to jump all the way up to 75 per cent making $100,000 or more, which I know is a lot, but this is tough work, and I think that our team deserves it.' He said they have brought the workload down by 60 per cent since 2021. 'And we've got on the table a proposal to keep going further, faster, working with the union to do that. In terms of our employee well-being, we want people to bring their best selves to work everyday because that's how we improve results. So, we have some of the best benefits going in Canada, including unlimited mental health benefits.' He said both sides continue to work with a mediator. 'I'm hopeful that we're going to be able to reach a fair and reasonable agreement, and we do that when people bring realistic expectations to the table. But this back and forth between us is interesting, but I think what's important for people in Windsor to know is if they get hurt on the job that WSIB is still here to help.' Lazarus confirmed that meetings will continue to be held over the weekend, but that there has been passive back and forth from both sides. The WSIB provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage and support to help people after a work-related injury or illness and is funded by premiums paid by Ontario businesses. - Written by Meagan Delaurier/AM800 News.
CBC
5 hours ago
- CBC
Nuclear Waste Management Organization begins site selection process for 2nd deep geological repository
The Canadian government has yet to decide whether it would allow recycling spent nuclear fuel in the country, as the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) announces it will be engaging with the public to choose a site for the nation's second deep geological repository. The nuclear energy organization has launched a two-year public engagement process — which will focus on both technical safety and community willingness — to refine the site selection strategy. The formal site selection process is expected to begin around 2028. Akira Tokuhiro, a nuclear engineering professor at Ontario Tech University, said the announcement reflects strategic foresight, but he said Canada is still focused on permanent disposal, unlike other countries who are pursuing a different approach — reprocessing and reusing spent nuclear fuel. "One thing that I learned on my visit to the French site in 2013, is used fuel or nuclear waste or the spent fuel has to be reusable or retrievable," he said. "They have the technical means today to reprocess that fuel and put it back in the reactor and to extract more energy." Finland is one of the first countries to license a permanent repository with the option of retrieval. France goes further, reprocessing its spent fuel to extract more energy, a practice rarely discussed in Canada despite being technically feasible. "Canada certainly has the technical capability. It doesn't mean that it has the facilities, but it has the capability and the know-how and the smart people to recycle that or reuse that spent fuel," said Tokuhiro. "Even today, Canada is choosing not to make that commitment." While reprocessing is more expensive up front, he said, it's arguably more climate-friendly. But Canada, like many nations, has embraced a "once-through" cycle: mine uranium, use it once, and store the waste indefinitely. The reason Canada hasn't followed France's lead, Tokuhiro said, comes down to economics. "That is overall cheaper than it is to recycle. This is the same problem as plastic," he said. Reprocessing spent nuclear fuel would still generate waste Dave Novog, professor, engineering physics at McMaster University, said the current Canadian model has "proved pretty attractive" because it means Canada does not rely on anyone else in the world for its fuel or for reprocessing technology. "I think that's been a good decision so far when it comes to fuel recycling and the sort of advanced reactors that are needed to do that," Novog told CBC Thunder Bay. "Those reactors, at least in my opinion, are in their infancy and it would be a huge risk for us to sort of say those reactors will eventually come and save our waste problem." Novog said he likes the government's and the NWMO's approach, noting that "these repositories take anywhere from 30 to 40 to even 50 years to construct. And so by that time, if these advanced reprocessing technologies are attractive and commercially viable, we can always move in that direction." Novog added that by reprocessing spent nuclear fuel would still generate some waste. "We will still have to deal with and solve a lot of that waste, so I think if nuclear is really going to double or triple its capacity like they talked about in the COP agreements, we're going to be generating more waste and it's important that we have a solution for it," he said. 'Canada is planning for the future' Commissioning a second deep geological repository is part of an initiative aimed at addressing the long-term storage of intermediate- and non-fuel high-level radioactive waste from equipment and components used inside nuclear reactors and medical isotope byproducts, as well as waste from future nuclear reactors. The first repository in the Township of Ignace will store used nuclear fuel from used reactors. "There is international scientific consensus that a deep geological repository is the safest way to manage intermediate- and high-level waste over the long-term," said Laurie Swami, president and CEO of the NWMO, emphasizing the need for a permanent solution. "Canada is planning for the future." Currently, Canada's intermediate- and high-level waste is stored on an interim basis, so these solutions are not considered suitable for long-term containment. The new repository will be designed to store waste deep underground, in line with international practices for managing high-level nuclear waste. Site selection for the second repository will be guided by both technical criteria, such as geological suitability and community support. The NWMO has emphasized that community consent and Indigenous consultation will be central to the process. WATCH | Canada's permanent nuclear waste dump, 'Forever chemicals': Canada's permanent nuclear waste dump, 'Forever chemicals' 1 year ago Duration 25:25 The two-year engagement period will include public consultations, cultural verification studies, and collaboration with Indigenous communities. "We understand that many communities are getting a lot of requests to engage on major projects. And so, we want to make sure that we have the time to get meaningful input and have a meaningful discussion on the siting process before implementing it," said Joanne Jacyk, director of site selection at the NWMO. For now, the NWMO is encouraging Canadians and Indigenous peoples to learn more or take part in the engagement process by visiting the NWMO's website or contacting the organization at ILW@
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
North Bay mayor under fire for using city credit card for personal expenses
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico has come in for criticism after his expense reports were scrutinised. A new expense policy is now being formulated. North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico is under fire after the city's standard financial oversight processes flagged his use of a corporate credit card for a number of personal expenses. According to reports, about $16,000 in personal expenses were charged to his corporate card. North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico participated in a pr North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico is under fire after the city's standard financial oversight processes flagged his use of a corporate credit card for a number of personal expenses. (File) In a statement to CTV News on Friday, Chirico confirmed that in 2023 and 2024, a number of expenses charged to his corporate credit card were flagged and reviewed and that all expenses were submitted through 'appropriate channels.' Chirico said expenses that were deemed personal, including some that fell into a 'grey area,' were fully repaid. He said he acknowledges that he should have been more 'careful and deliberate' in keeping personal and business expenses separate and takes full responsibility. Closed-door meeting There was a closed-door meeting about the issue in which three city councillors – including Tanya Vrebosch -- boycotted. She argued more information was needed before discussing the issue and has filed a complaint to the Ontario ombudsman. 'At some point, the administration has to take accountability for what happened,' Vrebosch said. 'It went on for a year and a half to two years. This could have been stopped within a few months. Council was not made aware. You know, the mayor's not the only staff member to the CEO. We should have all been made aware.' Council voted to direct the city's CAO to prepare a new travel and expenses policy. Chirico said he supports that idea.
