Innovation Summer 2026

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS | 2025-2026

The University of Northern BC (UNBC) designed, built, and tested a nano-bubbler polishing system to remove hydrocarbons from seawater with stakeholder collaboration. This is part of an initiative to develop groundbreaking research to advance the science of marine oil spill response and environmental protection. The objective is to scale-up to an innovative oil spill response solution to improve the efficiency of oil and water separation without using chemicals when compared to conventional technologies. The entire system is housed in a portable container allowing for immediate on-site spill response. The system includes a nano bubble generator, floatation column, adsorption column, programmable logic controller, PORTABLE NANOBUBBLER SYSTEM Tetra Tech provided hydrotechnical, geotechnical, and environmental services for remediation of a slope failure along Thain Creek in North Vancouver that occurred during an atmospheric river event (ARE) of October 2024. The slope failure resulting from the ARE caused the slope crest to advance within 6 metres of a building, presenting a public safety risk. In addition, erosion created fish passage barriers including drops of over 1 metre. The channel profile was raised up to 4 metres and step pools were added to allow fish passage. Additional fish habitat features included riparian planting and large woody debris. Innovative THAIN CREEK SLOPE STABILIZATION AND CREEK ENHANCEMENTS

This project provides a secure long-term gravity supply of water from Mission Creek to the Black Mountain Irrigation District. This phase sets up the water supply with 1,500-mm diameter steel transmission main installed to each end of the future water tunnel. The overall project will move the existing primary water supply conduit to a safer location away from the treacherous silt bluffs along Gallagher Canyon east of Kelowna. Company: Black Mountain Irrigation District (BMID) Participants: BMID: Dylan McLachlan, EIT; Bryan Vig; Antonio Faccini, P.Eng. AF Consulting: Felix Menu. R&L Construction Ltd.: Robert Hrasko, P.Eng. P hoto cRedit : R obeRt h RASko , bmid MCDOUGALL WATER TUNNEL EXTENSION

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Summer 2026 Innovation