Ontario Number One Water Patent Jurisdiction In The World According To Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP)

WaterTAP Ontario and Ontario Clean Technology Alliance invite more global companies to take advantage of province’s robust water industry ecosystem

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, has granted more water-related industry patents over the past 30 years than any other comparable government jurisdiction in the world, according to the Water Technology Acceleration Project – WaterTAP. With 10% more clean technology companies than any other province in the country, and 900 water-industry-specific companies, the Ontario government’s Water Sector Strategy also includes targeted provisions for growing the water industry and maintaining its position as a global water innovation leader.

Ontario-based WaterTAP helps connect global companies with the resources they need to successfully enter water technology markets. Along with representatives of the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance ­– a collective of regional and municipal economic development organizations across Ontario – WaterTAP executives are attending IFAT 2014, the world’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management, in München, Germany. Their objective is to invite more international companies to take advantage of an Ontario ecosystem that is supported by dedicated research centres, incubators, accelerators and programs that encourage innovative water and wastewater technologies and services.

“WaterTAP exists to champion and support Ontario’s status as a world water technology hub. The WaterTAP team brings private sector experience to the challenge of helping water technology entrepreneurs, utilities and investors make the connections and find the resources they need to keep our water sector prospering,” said Dr. Brian Mergaelas, WaterTAP’s CEO.

“WaterTAP also encourages Ontario’s municipal water utilities to tackle common challenges together to provide guidance and market pull for innovative products and services,” said Sean Dyke, Director – Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance (SOMA), and Chair of the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance.

A municipal example of water industry synergy within the Ontario Clean Technology Alliance is the City of Burlington, located in Halton Region on the shores of Lake Ontario. The city is home to the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Wastewater Technology Centre and the birthplace of ZENON Environmental before its purchase by General Electric in 2006. Today, General Electric Water & Process Technologies occupies one-third of the Centre’s 5,500 square metre space for ongoing R&D. Specialized facilities include research and operational laboratories, in-house pilot plant demonstration facilities for wastewater and biosolids processing and advanced treatment, mechanical workshop and warehouse facilities, and an on-line sewage loop from an adjacent wastewater treatment plant.

Burlington is also home to 253 water-related businesses including Anaergia (global head office), Eco Waste Solutions (North American Head Office), and Endress+Hauser Canada Ltd. (Canadian head office).

Ontario’s deep pool of water expertise also includes:

• The Hamilton-based United Nations University - Institute for Water, Environment and Health, which acts as the UN's think-tank on water
• The Burlington-based National Water Research Institute, which is the largest fresh water science organization in Canada
• The Waterloo-based Canadian Water Network, that connects Canadian and international water researchers with decision-makers engaged in water management issues
• The University of Waterloo-based Water Institute, an internationally recognized water research leader

About The Ontario Clean Technology Alliance
The Ontario Clean Technology Alliance offers a highly educated workforce, excellent growth opportunities, a low-risk business environment, and generous R&D tax credits that are the envy of other countries. The Alliance includes Durham Region, Halton Region, Ottawa Region, City of Hamilton, Waterloo Region, Windsor-Essex, City of Guelph and the Southwestern Ontario Marketing Alliance. Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada as well as the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment are Alliance partners. For more information, visit www.ontariocleantechalliance.com.