THE DROPLET: Interview: Jennifer Drake on Urban Water

The following Q&A was originally posted on U of T News on Sept. 12.

At the University of Toronto, water conservation efforts have been underway since the 1970s. For example, underground cisterns on the downtown campus collect rainwater, which is then used by a smart irrigation system that only waters lawns if there is no rain in the forecast. But as cities continue to grow, so does the need for everyone to protect and manage water resources.

Enter Jennifer Drake, a professor with the University of Toronto’s civil engineering department and an expert in water security. 

Drake’s research expertise includes stormwater systems, watershed planning and stormwater management. She’s especially passionate about building and managing urban water systems that minimize the impact on the natural environment. 

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods is drawing attention to Drake’s research and the challenges and opportunities of protecting urban water resources in the 21st century. Writer Dominic Ali spoke with Drake about the importance of water for cities in the 21st century.

READ INTERVIEW HERE