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New Business in Waterloo
E.coli Detection Development Company sets up Water Products Division in Canada’s Technology Triangle
Waterloo Region - Early Warning Inc, a developer of early warning systems that detect E.coli and other biohazards is pleased to announce the opening of its Water Products Division in Waterloo, Ontario.
Early Warning is developing a wide range of detection products employing a revolutionary nanotechnology-based biosensor licensed from NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. The biosensor can detect trace amounts of specific bacteria, viruses and parasites, and help prevent the spread of potentially deadly biohazards in water, food and other contaminated sources.
“We were seeking a location possessing world leaders in water technologies, diverse engineering and communications disciplines, and nanotechnology know-how,” said Kenneth Berall, Vice President Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Early Warning. “Not only did Waterloo offer a vast talent pool, the close proximity of office space to the University of Waterloo was also a key factor since we are collaborating with four Waterloo professors and various students in our development effort.”
“We are very appreciative of Early Warning’s decision to expand its operations to Waterloo,” says city of Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran. “The company’s cutting-edge research will fit well with Waterloo’s growing emphasis on, and continued research in areas such as nanotechnology.”
“Canada’s Technology Triangle is ideally suited for innovative companies such as Early Warning”, said John Tennant, Chief Executive Officer of Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc, which worked closely with officials at the University of Waterloo to facilitate partnerships between industry and academia. “We will continue to encourage Early Warning’s work with members of the community since an early warning system for biohazards can meet the needs of Ontario’s water community and then be exported to solve water quality problems worldwide.”
In 2000, heavy rains brought livestock manure laden with E.coli 0157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni bacteria into Walkerton, Ontario’s water supply. Half of the town’s 5,000 residents were sickened and seven people died. Following the incident, it was found that 25 miles of the town’s pipeline was filled with biofilm that became a breeding ground for E.coli and other pathogens to obtain nutrients and multiply.
“We intend to develop an early warning system in Ontario that can prevent a repeat of the Walkerton outbreak,” Berall added.
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