Industry visits remain a cornerstone of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association’s (CEGSA) commitment to professional development. Following the strong success of a January tour of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, CEGSA organized a second visit—this time to a water treatment facility—offering students exposure to a different sector of engineering practice.
The tour, held on Wednesday April 1st at the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant in Toronto, was led by Gordon Mitchell – a U of T Engineering alumnus who brings more than 35 years of experience at the plant. The visit began with an overview of the facility’s history, followed by a detailed introduction to each stage of the water treatment process. Participants then took part in a guided walkthrough of key operational areas, observing large-scale systems in action. The visit concluded with an extended question-and-answer session, where students engaged in in-depth technical discussion with the host.
Due to operational constraints, including high noise levels that limit group communication, the tour was capped at 15 participants. In total, 11 graduate students from both PhD and MEng programs attended. The group represented a diverse range of academic backgrounds, including chemical, mechanical, and materials engineering, and included both domestic and international students.
“The tour offered several valuable technical insights into large-scale water treatment operations,” said Sepehr Hoomani Rad, CEGSA President. “Participants learned about the evolution of filtration systems, including filters that can regenerate after multiple wash cycles. The use of phosphoric acid to mitigate lead in water, as well as the two-stage chlorination process, were also particularly noteworthy.”
The visit highlighted the complexity of modern water treatment systems, demonstrating that even facilities with seemingly straightforward designs rely on highly sophisticated and carefully managed processes.
The experience closely aligns with both coursework and research within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. “Many courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels cover principles of water treatment and purification, while several research groups focus on related areas such as filtration, reaction engineering, and environmental processes,” Rad noted. “Students were able to directly connect theoretical concepts—from chemical equilibria to transport phenomena—to real-world applications.”
Participants were particularly struck by the scale of the facility, which treats approximately 950 million litres of water per day. This is especially notable given the plant’s history: originally constructed in the 1930s and expanded in the 1970s. Despite sourcing water from Lake Ontario, the treatment process still requires roughly 12 hours to meet rigorous safety and quality standards before distribution.
CEGSA extends its sincere thanks to Mitchell for generously sharing his time and expertise. His engaging approach and depth of knowledge greatly enriched the experience for all participants. The association also recognizes his continued support, having hosted a similar tour for graduate students three years ago.
This visit reflects CEGSA’s ongoing commitment to expanding professional development opportunities for graduate students. By facilitating direct exposure to industry settings, these tours play an important role in preparing students for careers beyond academia. Building on the success of recent visits, CEGSA aims to continue offering diverse industry experiences across multiple sectors.