Articles

A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG) has established a partnership with University of Toronto researchers through Southern Ontario Water Consortium (SOWC) for real-time, continuous monitoring of disinfection by-products (DBPs) at a water treatment facility in Smiths Falls, Ontario.

Like other treatment facilities, Smiths Falls has experienced operational challenges dealing with increased levels of trihalomethanes, or THMs, as chlorine used in the disinfection process reacts with organic materials in water. The plant already monitors THMs beyond the minimum requirements, but AUG’s technology will add real-time readings on an hourly basis using advanced sensing technologies.

Over the 18-month project term, and in collaboration with researchers at the University of Toronto and plant operators, AUG will test its remote photonic sensing system in a real-world operating environment in Smiths Falls. By monitoring levels of THMs continuously, AUG aims to offer a user-friendly advisory tool that will help plant operators optimize their treatment parameters to minimize formation.

For the original article on SOWC, please visit: A.U.G. Signals, U of T Researchers Partner to Trial New Drinking Water Monitoring Technology

As part of the Ontario-China Research and Innovation Fund (OCRIF) program, A.U.G. Signals Ltd.  (AUG) has partnered with the University of Toronto and Peking University in Beijing to develop a new network of air monitoring sensor systems. The team from AUG and Prof. Maosheng Yao from Peking University recently attended the OCRIF forum on May 16^th. It was an informative and enlightening day full of guest speakers, industry panels and meetings with a variety of Chinese technology investors, Canadian innovators and other research groups, With support from the Ontario and Chinese governments, AUG’s project is off to a strong start.

The AUG team Professor Maosheng Yao also visited their collaborators at the University of Toronto. Prof. Greg Evans and his research team form an integral part of this collaborative project to develop an innovative air sensor network to monitor pollution in cities around the world. These visits strengthen the bonds between both countries and improve our capability to work across borders. AUG is excited to be a part of the OCRIF program and believes its partnerships on this project will not only lead to improved technologies, but better, safer, cleaner communities in Ontario and China too.

On March 22, 2016, Consuls for Science & Technology from the Consulate General of the P.R. of China in Toronto Mr. Jianlei Shen and Mr. Shanlue Wu, together with senior policy advisor Ms. Sandy He-Easton from Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure (MEDEI/MRI) visited A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG).

The ongoing collaboration on innovative air quality monitoring technology among AUG, Peking University and University of Toronto were discussed in detail during the visit. This collaboration is a joint effort to develop a portable air monitoring sensor network, incorporating a low-cost multi-parameter array and a novel bioaerosol sensor to generate valuable air quality data from Toronto and Beijing for air pollution control. The potential expansion of this joint development was also discussed.

For the press release on the Consulate website, please visit: 驻多伦多科技领事调研空气污染监测合作项目进展

From November 5 to 13, A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG) visited four cities in China – Nanjing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing – with Premier Kathleen Wynne for the trade mission.

The mission focused on the science and technology, cleantech and agriculture sectors, as well as partnerships in health care and education. Throughout the mission, AUG met with both business and political leaders to strengthen trade and science and technology collaborations between Ontario and China.

Along with the Premier, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure Brad Duguid, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade Michael Chan, and MPPs Han Dong, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Soo Wong, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services were also present for this mission.

AUG is excited to expand its TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance’s reach and implementation across China, providing effective monitoring and security for drinking water.

On November 5th, 2015, Safe Water Project was introduced on TVO under the title, “How one northern project speeds up access to clean water.” With an active role in the project, AUG’s TRITON – Intelligent Water Surveillance™ was described as a mobile monitoring system that allows the water treatment operators to remotely monitor drinking water quality in real-time. AUG is very proud to support the Safe Water Project in cooperation with Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) tribal council and help the First Nations communities to enable safe drinking water.

For the original article on TVO, please visit: How one northern project speeds up access to clean water

On October 29, A.U.G. Signals’ TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance^TM appeared on the Globe and Mail under a press release titled, “Clean air dealers are cashing in on China’s pollution problem.”

The article illustrates AUG’s successful market penetration in China with its online water quality monitoring system. TRITON has been deployed and is in operation at the 2014 APEC Conference, Beijing, City of Tianjin and City of Lanzhou. As stated, TRITON is capable in conducting online identification and quantification of highly toxic contaminants at concentration levels of up to 10 times below the maximum acceptable concentrations defined by Health Canada, WHO and EPA with a false positive detection rate of approximately 10^-4.

AUG is excited to expand its TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance’s reach and implementation across China, providing effective monitoring and security for drinking water. AUG believes in strengthening Ontario’s ties to China with a focus on technological and environmental concerns.

For the original article on the Globe and Mail, please visit: “Clean air dealers are cashing in on China’s pollution problem”

On October 26^th, A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG)’s TRITON Intelligent Water Surveillance^TM appeared on CBC News, “Bad water: Innovative solution for remote northern Ontario First Nations”, acknowledging its significant role in securing safe drinking water for First Nations communities.

Three northern Ontario First Nations have managed to stop boil water advisories in their communities since May because of access to this real-time water quality monitoring system. Deer Lake, Fort Severn, and Poplar Hill First Nations have all spent close to 1,000 days on a boil water advisory in the past decade.

“Historically, what’s happened, is there’s a time delay. When you take a [water] sample, analyze it and get the results to those that can do things about it, it can often mean people are at high risks for a [longer] period of time,” said Barry Strachan, the lead on the Safe Water Project.

Strachan says that outdated processes often lead to boil water advisories. The Safe Water Project provides the technology and support to respond immediately to potential problems.

“We get alerts of adverse water quality events immediately as they happen and it allows us to [advise] or actually attend the situation and fix it in short order,” said Strachan.

The article also demonstrates how the Safe Water Project leads to creating career opportunities and new hopes for young people in First Nations communities.

For the original article, please visit: Bad water: Innovative solution for remote northern Ontario First Nations 

A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG) is proud to serve the City of Lanzhou, China as of August 2015 with TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance™ providing online, real-time drinking water quality monitoring for the city. TRITON was successfully installed and is in operation in the City of Lanzhou as a solution for effectively protecting public health and safety.

Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China with population of approximately 3,616,163 people. Prior to the official announcement of installation, TRITON was closely inspected by the City Health Authority and Lanzhou Veolia for its capability in monitoring wide range of parameters and water contaminants, including but not limited to chlorine, turbidity, pH, conductivity, temperature, ammonia, benzene (including toluene, xylene), total organic carbon, nitrates, nitrous acid, styrene and volatile phenol.

For the press release by the China National Health Inspection, Lanzhou Bureau (兰州卫生监督所), please visit: http://www.lzwsjd.org/wjsnews/172.htm

Since 2012, A.U.G. Signals Ltd. (AUG) has been collaborating with Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), a tribal council serving six First Nations in Northern Ontario, to provide a drinking water monitoring solution customized for the unique challenges they face.

Recently, KO in cooperation with AUG introduced “Safe Water Project,” the latest water and waste water initiative to reduce boil water advisories across Canada. This project aims to empower communities to effectively manage their own drinking water through the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of contaminants, and to support local water operators and personnel in addressing adverse water quality events as they occur in real-time.

AUG’s TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance™ was selected by the First Nations as the state-of-the-art technology to provide continuous, remote monitoring of the drinking water for the communities. TRITON supports and complements standard monitoring practices by offering an additional level of protection.

Recent accomplishments of the Safe Water Project through TRITON include:

• Preventing boil water advisory in two instances, potential adverse water quality events have been detected and corrected prior to them becoming critical
• Training KO/AUG 10 local personnel in the O&M of the TRITON units, developing First Nations capacity
• Viewing and interpreting the data from the TRITON units has become a routine daily activity for management and operational personnel alike

 

The following links are the public news release on the Safe Water Project:

• Ontario Regional Chief Day Calls on All Federal Parties to Target 0% Boil Water Advisory in All First Nations
• CBC Northern Chiefs Council showcase Safe Water Project 
• Safe Water Project Minimizing and Preventing Boil Water Advisories
• Safe and Clean Water Must be a Priority – Ontario Regional Chief Day

 

For more information about TRITON, visit TRITON- Intelligent Water Surveillance™.