Global Water Futures

What Global Water Futures does

Global Water Futures (GWF) was a pan-Canadian research program that operated from 2016 to 2025, led by the University of Saskatchewan in partnership with the University of Waterloo, McMaster University, and Wilfrid Laurier University, with 18 Canadian universities in the broader network. Founded in 2016 with a $77.8 million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, the program was designed to deliver risk management solutions for water futures in Canada and other cold regions, targeting government water agencies, hydropower operators, agriculture, Indigenous communities, and urban municipalities. Its primary technical outputs were predictive hydrological models, decision-support tools, and disaster warning systems across all major Canadian river basins.

The program's core asset is the Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) network, which operates 64 instrumented basins, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, 15 deployable measurement systems, and 18 water laboratories across seven provinces and territories. Supporting facilities include the Centre for Hydrology (with Cryospheric, Cool Sample, Hydrological Modelling, Instrumentation, Sampling, and Ecohydrology Labs), the Smart Water Systems Laboratory for drone-mounted sensors, the Aquatic Toxicology Research Facility, and the Mine Overlay Testing Facility. The program employed 962 Highly Qualified Personnel across 51 projects and 6 core teams, and engaged 72 Indigenous Communities and Governments and 478 stakeholder organizations through co-creation rather than commercialization.

GWF operated as a government-funded academic research program rather than a commercial enterprise, with no products or services sold and no equity ownership. Funding came from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund ($77.8M, 2016-2025), the Canada Foundation for Innovation Major Science Initiative ($40.67M for GWFO, 2023-2029), and NSERC grants. The original GWF program concluded funded activities in August 2025; the instrumented research network continues under the GWFO successor program. Distribution of research outputs occurred through open-access data platforms (GWFNet), peer-reviewed publications, decision-support tools, and direct stakeholder engagement rather than commercial go-to-market channels.

Name

Global Water Futures

Legal name

Global Water Futures

Website

https://gwf.usask.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Global Water Futures was a pan-Canadian cold-regions water science research program (2016-2025) led by the University of Saskatchewan, delivering predictive models, decision-support tools, and a 64-site national observation network for governments, Indigenous communities, hydropower, agriculture, and urban municipalities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Resources Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAHAKAF

Water Quality & Watershed/Hydrologic Modeling (SWMM/HEC-RAS, Flood/Runoff/Nutrient)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Environmental Data Management, Modeling & GIS/Remote Sensing

SECONDARYEUANAEAH

Flood Risk Modeling, Mapping & Forecasting (Hydrology/Hydraulics, Digital Twins)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Stormwater & Floodwater Management (Drainage, CSO, Flood Control)

SECONDARYEUAHAJAD

Climate Risk & Scenario Analysis (TCFD/IFRS S2)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Compliance, Monitoring & Consulting/Sustainability, ESG & Corporate Environmental Reporting

SECONDARYBPAHAIAD

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting

Business & Public Services/Professional Services (Legal, Accounting, Consulting)/Engineering & Technical Consulting

SECONDARYBPADALAH

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Cold regions water science
• Freshwater observation networks
• Hydrological monitoring systems
• Water disaster forecasting
• Ecohydrology research

Headquarters

HQ city

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Canada First Research Excellence Fund Grant: Primary funding of $77.8 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund to run from 2016 to 2025 as a pan-Canadian research program
2. Canada Foundation for Innovation Major Science Initiative: $40.67M MSI funding from CFI for Global Water Futures Observatories project 2023-2029, with 40% CFI support and matching from nine partner universities
3. NSERC Funding: Additional funding from National Science and Engineering Research Council for Northern Water Futures and other research projects

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Global Water Futures is a pan-Canadian research program (2016-2025) that delivers water risk management solutions informed by water science research for cold regions. It operates through the Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) — a national freshwater observation network with 64 instrumented monitoring sites, 15 deployable measurement systems, and 18 water laboratories across seven provinces and territories. Outputs include disaster warning systems for floods, droughts, and water quality, mathematical prediction models for major Canadian river basins, and decision-support tools delivered to government agencies, Indigenous communities, hydropower companies, the agriculture sector, and urban municipalities.

Product overview

Global Water Futures (GWF) is a pan-Canadian research program (2016-2025) funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, focused on delivering water risk management solutions for cold regions. The program operates through Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO), a national network of 64 instrumented monitoring sites, 15 deployable measurement systems, and 18 water laboratories. GWF positions Canada as a global leader in cold regions water science through three pillars: diagnosing and predicting change, developing big data and decision support systems, and designing user solutions. GWFO succeeded GWF in 2023 as Canada's premier national university-operated freshwater observation network, providing open access to meteorological, glaciological, hydrological, and water quality data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Water Futures Observatories (GWFO) A national university-operated scientific freshwater observation network operating 64 instrumented basins, lakes, rivers, and wetlands, 15 deployable measurement systems, and 18 water laboratories across seven provinces and territories in Canada. Provides open access to meteorological, glaciological, hydrological, water quality, and freshwater data through GWFNet.
• Weaving Science: Stories of Research Engagement

Quantifiable outcome

• Canada's first national water disaster warning system for floods, seasonal water flows, droughts, and water quality
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered lead institution, core partner and partner.

• University of Saskatchewanlead institutionStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Lead institution of the Global Water Futures program, home to Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS), Centre for Hydrology, and National Hydrology Research Centre. Hosts the GWF Secretariat and Director John Pomeroy.
• University of Waterloocore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university with Water Institute and Ecohydrology Research Group led by Philippe Van Cappellen (Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology)
• McMaster Universitycore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university with Watershed Hydrology Group led by Sean Carey, School of Geography & Earth Sciences
• Wilfrid Laurier Universitycore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university with Cold Regions Research Centre and Canada Research Chair in Cold Regions Water Science
• University of TorontopartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner universities in GWFO consortium providing matching support
• University of WindsorpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university with Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON) facilities for Great Lakes research
• Carleton UniversitypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner universities in GWFO consortium providing matching support for first two years
• Western UniversitypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner universities in GWFO consortium providing matching support
• Trent UniversitypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of nine partner universities in GWFO consortium providing matching support
• Environment and Climate Change Canadacore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing research scientists and contributing to national water services and hydrology research program
• Government of AlbertapartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRiver forecast engineering and water resources management collaboration through User Advisory Panel
• Government of the Northwest TerritoriespartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior science advisor collaboration on environment and natural resources through User Advisory Panel
• Yukon Water Resources BranchpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern water resources management collaboration through User Advisory Panel
• Toronto and Region Conservation AuthoritypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment and engineering services collaboration for watershed management and flood risk
• Winnipeg Metropolitan RegionpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban water management collaboration through User Advisory Panel
• Living Lakes CanadapartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreshwater conservation and stewardship organization collaborating through User Advisory Panel
• Cumberland House Cree Nationcore partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partner in Indigenous Engagement Committee, advancing co-creation of water research
• Akaitcho Territory GovernmentpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous government partner in Treaty #8 territory collaborating on water governance research
• Mistawasis First NationpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partner in Indigenous Engagement Committee
• Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land TechnicianspartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous organization partner in Indigenous Engagement Committee
• Gordon Oakes Red Bear CentrepartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Saskatchewan Indigenous centre providing Elder guidance and support to Indigenous Engagement Committee
• Federation of Sovereign Indigenous NationspartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous peoples' organization collaborating on lands and resources research and policy
• Australian National UniversitypartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Science Advisory Panel member Tony Jakeman leads iCAM Centre for integrated catchment assessment
• UNESCO Division of Water SciencespartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Science Advisory Panel member Blanca Jimenez Cisneros provides global water governance expertise
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner providing atmospheric science expertise through International Science Advisory Panel
• University of California Los AngelespartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Science Advisory Panel member Dennis Lettenmaier provides hydrologic modeling expertise
• Chinese Academy of SciencespartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Science Advisory Panel member Xin Li provides remote sensing and cryosphere science expertise
• University of OsnabruckpartnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Science Advisory Panel member Claudia Pahl-Wostl provides adaptive governance expertise

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights11 records

Direct peers

• UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH): UK research centre conducting large-scale environmental and hydrological research with national monitoring networks. Comparable to GWF in focus on water monitoring, hydrological modeling, environmental data, and government-funded delivery of science for environmental policy.
• Deltares: Dutch applied research organization specializing in water, subsurface, and infrastructure. Like GWF, Deltares operates applied water science, develops hydrological models, and partners with governments on flood risk and water management — making it the closest international analog in mission and delivery model.
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ): German research centre focused on environmental research including hydrology, water quality, and catchment science. Comparable to GWF in its integration of monitoring, modeling, and environmental consulting for water-related decision-making.
• IIHR — Hydroscience & Engineering, University of Iowa: U.S. university-based research center focused on hydroscience, fluid mechanics, and water resources. Comparable to GWF in operating as a university-affiliated research program delivering modeling and monitoring science for water resource management.

Emerging players

• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR): U.S. federally funded research center providing atmospheric and climate science. Already a GWF partner via the International Science Advisory Panel, NCAR contributes atmospheric and climate modeling expertise that complements GWF's hydrological focus.
• KWR Water Research Institute: Dutch research institute focused on water quality, drinking water, and circular water systems. Comparable to GWF in water-focused applied research and partnership with utilities and governments, though with a more European utility-water focus.
• UNESCO IHE Institute for Water Education: International institute for water education, research, and capacity building. UNESCO partnership overlaps with GWF's UNESCO Division of Water Sciences advisory relationship; comparable in education and training missions alongside water research.

Others

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) — National Hydrology Research Centre: Federal government hydrology research centre based in Saskatoon at the same location as GWF's headquarters. Strategic partner of GWF and chaired by Al Pietroniro on GWF's Board of Directors — close operational overlap makes it a key ecosystem partner rather than a commercial competitor.

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency with major water research programs including hydrology, climate adaptation, and catchment science. Comparable to GWF in scope of water science research and national-scale monitoring, though much broader in mandate beyond water.
• USGS (U.S. Geological Survey): U.S. federal science agency operating national hydrological monitoring networks and producing water data and forecasting tools. Directly comparable to GWF's role in Canada's national water observation network and decision-support tool delivery for government agencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/@GWFutures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-water-futures
• Instagraminstagram.com/gwf_water

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Water Futures