
Background
Professor Susan Andrews' research is concerned with the optimization of water treatment processes, especially in the area of drinking water disinfection. The balance between inactivating pathogens and minimizing the formation of chemical by-products is of particular concern, with a focus to evaluating a variety of disinfection technologies including using light (ultraviolet, solar) as an alternative to traditional chemical disinfectants (chlorine).
Environmental research in inherently interdisciplinary. Professor Andrews participates in projects that span the globe (North America, Europe, Singapore) and which often include participants from non-engineering fields. One perhaps more obvious example of this interaction is the relationship between optimizing drinking water disinfection and improvements to public health. Her research has been published in respected journals and presented by her or her students at national and international conferences.
Professor Andrews is currently a Program leader for the Canadian Water Network, and she has held leadership posts in several professional organizations (Chair, Ontario Water Works Association; Director, Walkerton Clean Water Centre). These interactions have helped to strengthen links between the academic and public sectors as well as foster interdisciplinary research interactions.
Education and Designations
B.A.Sc. (Alberta)
M.A.Sc. (Alberta)
Ph.D. (Alberta)
Research Interests
Drinking Water Research Group
Water quality and chemistry in water treatment processes and distribution systems
Novel and emerging byproducts of potential health concern
UV and solar disinfection
Publications
Andrews, S.A., 2008. NDMA - A New DBP and a Kink in Sustainability Efforts. Presented and in the proceedings of the 58th Annual University of Kansas Environmental Engineering Conference, Lawrence, KS, February 6. |
Amiri**, F. and S.A. Andrews, 2008. Development of a Size Exclusion Chromatography-Postcolumn Electrochemical Detection Method for the Analysis of Total Organic and Inorganic Chloramines. J. Chromatog. Sci., 15 pp, accepted February 2008. |
Andrews, S.A., 2007. Nitrosamines and Challenges for Treatment. Proceedings, "Newest Generation of Emerging Contaminants" session at the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition, Toronto, ON, June, 2007. |
G.A. Gagnon, H. Baribeau, S.O. Rutledge, R. Dumancic*, A. Oehmen, C. Chauret and S.A. Andrews, 2007. Disinfectant Efficacy in Distribution Systems: A Pilot-Scale Assessment. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology - AQUA, accepted December 2007. |
Alam, M.Z.B., R. Cantwell, R. Hofmann, R.C. Andrews, J. Rand, G. Gagnon, M. VanderMarck, E. Moffat, and S.A. Andrews, 2007. Effect of ClO2 pre-treatment on subsequent water treatment processes. J. Environ. Eng., 31 pp, accepted with minor revisions May 2007. |
Dumancic*, R. and S.A. Andrews, 2005. Organic Chloramine Formation in Model Distribution Systems. Proceedings, American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, San Francisco, CA, June, CD ROM 9 pp. |
Baribeau, H., G.A. Gagnon, Andrews, R.C., R. Hofmann, S.A. Andrews and C. Chauret, 2005. Efficacy of Disinfectant Residuals in Distribution Systems. Proceedings, AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference, Quebec City, PQ, Nov., CD ROM 26 pp. |
Baribeau, H., N.L. Pozos, L.Boulos, G.F. Crozes, G.A. Gagnon, S. Rutledge, D. Skinner, Z. Hu, R. Hofmann, R.C. Andrews, L. Wojcicka, Z. Alam, C. Chauret, S.A. Andrews, R. Dumancic* and E. Warn, 2005. Impact of Changes in Distribution System Water Quality on Disinfection Efficiency. Final Report, AwwaRF/USEPA project 2771, AwwaRF and AWWA, Denver, CO, 278 pp. (full peer review). |
Valentine R.L., Choi J., Chen Z., Barrett S.E., Hwang C., Guo Y. Wehner M., Fitzsimmons S., Andrews S.A., C.M. Brubacher* and K.D. Kohut*, 2005. Factors Affecting the Formation of NDMA in Water and Occurrence. Final Report, AwwaRF/ WERF project 2678, Denver, CO, 306 pp. (full peer review). |
Linden, K.G., S.A. Andrews, K.Z. Atasi, M. Stefan, I.H. Suffet, 2004. Innovative UV Technologies to Oxidize Organic and Organoleptic Chemicals. Final Report for AwwaRF and USEPA project 2599, AwwaRF and AWWA, Denver, CO, 234 pp. (full peer review). |
Liu**, W. and S.A. Andrews, 2003. Optimal Methods for Quenching H2O2 Residuals Prior to UFC Testing. Wat. Res., 37(15), 3697-3703. |
Brubacher*, C.M., S.A. Andrews and A.G. Werker, 2003. NDMA Formation from Wastewater Treatment Processes for Water Reuse: Stage 1 Results. Proceedings, Special Topic Session, NDMA - the Latest, American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, CA, June, CD ROM. |
Barrett, S., C. Hwang, Y.C. Guo and S.A. Andrews, 2003. Occurrence of NDMA in Drinking Water: A North American Survey 2001-2002. Proceedings, American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition, Anaheim, CA, June, CD ROM. |
Peldszus, S., P.M. Huck and S.A. Andrews, 1998. Quantitative Determination of Oxalate and Other Organic Acids in Drinking Water at Low µg/L Concentrations. J. Chromatog. A., 793, 198-203. |
Teaching
Course Code | Title & Description | Session | Day(s) | Start Time | End | Section |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CIV1309H GradList | Biological Treatment Processes | Winter 2023 | Tuesday | 10:00 | 12:00 | LEC0101 |
News Mentions
Changing lanes in academic pursuits and sports Hannah Hermanson is a third year Civil Engineering student currently employed during her Professional Experience Year (PEY) in Calgary. As a student-athlete she has been a member of the U of T Varsity Blues swim team for four years and has now switched to water polo. Academically, she […]
CivMin Researchers on cleaning and protecting our most valuable resource Most Canadians have unlimited access to clean drinking water, but that’s a privileged existence unknown to billions of other people living on this planet. And if you don’t have to think about where your water comes from or what’s in your water, then life is […]
Water plays a critical role in our lives. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) “the total usable freshwater supply for ecosystems and humans is 200,000 km3 of water, which accounts for only 0.01 per cent of all water on earth.” By 2050 global water demand is projected to increase by 50 per cent […]
Contact
Prof. Susan Andrews
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering
University of Toronto
35 St. George St.
Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5S 1A4
Tel: 416-946-0908
Fax: 416-978-6813