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Case Study: SR&ED Clear Water Project

Project Duration: Feb 2025-Dec 2025

Project Overview

Digitize Media and SRED Edmonton undertook a Clear Water’s SRED project to optimize the purification of glacier water for use as a safe, high-quality drinking water source. The objective was to determine whether advanced filtration and treatment processes could consistently remove contaminants unique to glacier water, including ultrafine sediments, trace heavy metals, and organic compounds. The project focused on addressing variability in water composition across sources and seasons, evaluating the effectiveness of non-standard purification methods, and developing a reproducible process capable of meeting stringent drinking water quality standards. The work aimed to generate the technological understanding required to enable reliable, environmentally responsible purification of glacier water for commercial bottling applications.

Optimization of Glacier Water Purification Processes - Clear Water

What scientific or technological uncertainties did you attempt to overcome – uncertainties that could not be removed using standard practice? 

The technological objective of this project was to develop an advanced purification system capable of extracting, filtering, and purifying glacier water to meet stringent quality standards for drinking water. The overall company goal was to provide clean, safe drinking water from glacier sources while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs.
The project addressed a significant problem in water purification: the inability of existing systems to effectively remove contaminants unique to glacier water, such as fine glacial sediments, trace heavy metals, and organic compounds from melting ice. Standard practices for water purification were insufficient because they were not designed to handle the variability and complexity of glacier water. For example, conventional filtration systems often fail to capture ultrafine glacial sediments, while traditional chemical treatments may not effectively neutralize trace heavy metals like lead or arsenic.
The technological uncertainties encountered included the challenge of removing ultrafine glacial sediments and trace contaminants without compromising the system’s efficiency or environmental sustainability. It was initially not known how to design a filtration system capable of handling the unique composition of glacier water, which varies significantly depending on the source and seasonal conditions. Another uncertainty was whether the purification process could be optimized to operate efficiently in remote and environmentally sensitive locations, where glacier water extraction sites are often located. Standard purification systems are typically designed for centralized facilities and are not adaptable to these unique challenges.
A third uncertainty was whether the purified water could consistently meet stringent quality standards for drinking water, including regulations for microbiological safety, chemical composition, and taste. Glacier water’s unique composition and variability posed challenges in achieving consistent quality, as existing methods could not guarantee uniform results across different extraction sites and seasonal conditions. These uncertainties represented fundamental gaps in knowledge that required systematic investigation and experimentation.

Clear Water Bottling Inc. achieved a significant return on its R&D reinvestment through SR&ED tax credits, supported by its partnership with Digitize.

What work did you perform in the tax year to overcome the scientific or technological uncertainties

The project began with the hypothesis that a multi-stage purification process combining advanced filtration, chemical treatment, and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection could effectively remove contaminants unique to glacier water while operating efficiently in remote locations. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic investigation involving system design, testing, and iterative refinement.
We designed and constructed a prototype purification system with three main stages: pre-filtration, chemical treatment, and UV disinfection. The pre-filtration stage included a series of filters designed to remove coarse and fine glacial sediments, including ultrafine particles that conventional filters could not capture. The chemical treatment stage used activated carbon and ion exchange resins to remove trace heavy metals and organic compounds. The UV disinfection stage employed UV light to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms without altering the water’s chemical composition.
The prototype was tested under controlled laboratory conditions using glacier water samples collected from various locations. Performance testing was conducted to evaluate the system’s effectiveness in removing contaminants. Sediment removal efficiency was measured by analyzing water samples before and after filtration. Heavy metal reduction was assessed using atomic absorption spectroscopy to detect trace metals like lead and arsenic. Microbiological safety was evaluated by testing for the presence of bacteria and viruses before and after UV disinfection.
The results of these tests revealed several shortcomings in the initial design. For example, the pre-filtration stage struggled to capture ultrafine sediments, while the chemical treatment stage was less effective at neutralizing certain organic compounds. Based on these findings, the system was refined through iterative testing and optimization.
The pre-filtration stage was enhanced by incorporating nanofiltration membranes capable of capturing ultrafine particles. The chemical treatment stage was modified to include advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for more effective removal of organic compounds. The UV disinfection stage was upgraded with higher-intensity lamps to ensure complete microbiological safety.
The refined system was tested again under both laboratory and simulated field conditions, including at remote glacier water extraction sites. Field testing was critical to evaluating the system’s performance in real-world conditions, such as fluctuating water flow rates and temperatures.
Throughout the project, detailed records were maintained, documenting all experimental procedures, test results, and observations. Statistical analysis was used to identify trends and correlations between system variables and purification efficiency. This systematic approach was essential to overcoming the technological uncertainties, as the work involved unpredictable outcomes and required innovative solutions that could not be achieved through routine or standard practices.
By the end of the tax year, we had developed a purification system that demonstrated significant improvements in contaminant removal, energy efficiency, and adaptability to remote locations. However, further refinement was required to address remaining performance issues and achieve full commercial viability.

What scientific or technological advancements did you achieve as a result of the work described in line 244?

The work performed during the tax year resulted in significant scientific and technological advancements in the field of water purification, particularly for glacier water. We achieved advancements in the development of a multi-stage purification system that effectively removes contaminants unique to glacier water, including ultrafine sediments, trace heavy metals, and organic compounds. The system demonstrated a sediment removal efficiency of 99.9%, reducing turbidity to levels well below regulatory standards. It also achieved a heavy metal reduction rate of 95%, ensuring that the purified water met stringent safety guidelines for chemical composition.
We also achieved advancements in ensuring microbiological safety through the use of UV disinfection. The system demonstrated a 99.99% reduction in microbiological contaminants, including bacteria and viruses, without altering the water’s chemical composition or taste. This ensures that the purified water is not only safe but also retains the natural qualities that make glacier water desirable.
Additionally, the system was optimized to operate efficiently in remote and environmentally sensitive locations. It demonstrated robust performance under extreme conditions, such as fluctuating water flow rates and temperatures, making it suitable for use in glacier water extraction sites. The system’s energy-efficient design also minimizes its environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals.
The results of the project were partially successful, as the system demonstrated significant improvements but required further refinement to address remaining performance issues. The lessons learned from this project can be applied to other water purification systems, enhancing their efficiency and adaptability to unique water sources.