Marking World Water Day

With World Water Day approaching on March 22, it's the perfect time to spotlight critical water research at the University of Regina.

Biology professors Dr. Peter R. Leavitt and Dr. Kerri Finlay have dedicated decades to studying water quality in Saskatchewan lakes. In 1994, Dr. Leavitt launched a long-term study on lakes in the Qu’Appelle Valley, aiming to track environmental changes over time. Since then, these lakes have been sampled every two weeks, every summer, for 32 years. Today, he and Dr. Finlay co-direct the University of Regina’s Institute of Environmental Change and Society.

Dr. Finlay joined the project as a post-doctoral researcher in 2006, and together with their students, they have continued investigating long-term ecological trends. Studies like theirs are essential for answering complex environmental questions that require years—if not decades—to fully understand.

Their research plays a crucial role across Saskatchewan. The provincial government relies on their data to assess environmental policies, First Nations use it to track environmental changes affecting treaty rights, farmers consider it when managing water for irrigation and livestock, and the public depends on it to ensure safe drinking and recreational water.