WRAIN is the Commercialization and Innovation Hub for the water sector in Kawartha Lakes

Over the years there has been a growing need to address the issue surrounding water treatment and conservation. While there are several technologies available that address these challenges the biggest obstacle a company faces is bringing these technologies into the market, where their full potential can be utilized and explored. To address this issue, The Water Research & Innovation Network (WRAIN) was established. WRAIN is the innovation arm of the Economic Development department at the City of Kawartha Lakes, and its main objective is to accelerate market adoption of new water and wastewater treatment technologies. This is done by facilitating access to pilot and demonstration sites, as well as providing business development support, marketing solutions, and strategic planning to new and existing water technology companies.

The Water Research & Innovation Network (WRAIN)

Who are we?

The Water Research & Innovation Network (WRAIN) is the innovation arm of the Economic Development department at the City of Kawartha Lakes. Its main objective is to help accelerate market adoption of new water and wastewater treatment technologies. This is accomplished by facilitating access to real time, real operational municipal facilities, for pilot and demonstration. WRAIN works with small and medium sized (SME) water technology companies by providing them with business development support, marketing solutions, and strategic planning. The pilot and demonstration of the technology is used as a commercialization platform and to help validate the efficiency and effectiveness of the technology.

WRAIN is a collaborative effort by industry leaders, economic development professionals, research centres, and all levels of government, working together to identify and solve water issues in the City of Kawartha Lakes and in Ontario. WRAIN is servicing an untouched segment in Canada by allowing companies to test and verify their technology before introducing these SME’s to a larger or international market.

WRAIN also involves a joint-effort by more than 40 companies, Fleming College’s Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT), Good Harbour Labs, The Monteco Group, The Bloom Centre, Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA), Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA), several Universities and the City of Kawartha Lakes. WRAIN is responsible for assisting in addressing water quality issues for 250 lakes and rivers, as well as operational and infrastructure issues for 6 wastewater plants, and 21 water treatment facilities.

WRAIN identifies the current and emerging water issues and determines the best ways it can support new technologies to address those issues. WRAIN supports innovators by making it easy for them to navigate available programs and services.

WRAIN plays a number of key roles including acting as a broker, a facilitator, an initiator, a participant and a communicator in order to meet the objectives set by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is WRAIN’s most valuable resource, they ensure that overlap and duplication between partner companies is not present, and ensure that WRAIN is focused on the agreed upon goals and strategies.

Our Mission

“To support and grow the health, sustainability, and credibility of the water industry in Canada by supporting the development and introduction of effective and innovative water treatment technologies.”

This statement is supported by a powerful new value proposition, broken down into three points;

• To provide a knowledge base to municipalities and other government entities about innovative water treatment technologies in Canada

• To serve as a resource for private sector companies by providing them guidance and a feasibility assessment on implementing water efficient products

• To deliver a commercialization platform to water treatment companies looking for support and business development

Guiding Principles

INNOVATIVE

We help introduce, facilitate and implement new and innovative water treatment technology into the Ontario market.

MARKET DRIVEN

We address gaps in the market and understand the needs of our stakeholders, municipalities and end-users.

COLLABORATE

We work to provide our clients with success driven results and opportunities in conjunction with existing partnerships.

MANAGE AND SUSTAIN

We harmonize, manage and deliver outcomes that benefit our clients.

RESULTS DRIVEN

We focus on delivering perceptible and quantifiable results.