Tomorrow Water Launches Proteus in Canada
Tomorrow Water Canada, a subsidiary of BKT/Tomorrow Water, has partnered with Brault Maxtech, a leading Quebec water sector supplier, to introduce the innovative Proteus technology to Canada. The project is valued at $1.14 million and supported by $500,000 in funding from Écotech Québec through the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE). With the support of Écotech’s “Vitrine” program, this initiative marks a significant advancement in modernizing municipal wastewater treatment for large-scale Canadian municipalities.
Project Overview
The pilot project will be carried out at a water resource recovery facility of a major municipality, to be announced soon. It will operate continuously for 52 weeks under real-world municipal conditions to validate Proteus Primary solution as an advanced primary wastewater treatment technology. Unlike short-term studies, this year-long demonstration aims to assess and verify both treatment performance and mechanical reliability at full operational scale. The evaluation will be conducted in cooperation with Centre des technologies de l'eau (Cteau) and Professor Yves Comeau of Polytechnique Montréal.
Technological Benefits of Proteus
Proteus can be used for both physical separation and biological treatment. It enhances efficiency and sustainability across multiple applications:
Primary treatment
Secondary (biological) treatment
RO concentrate treatment
Groundwater purification
Already deployed in Seoul, South Korea, and introduced in Milwaukee, USA, Proteus will soon be introduced in Western Europe, indicating strong global momentum. Écotech Québec noted that Proteus Primary removes 70–80% of TSS and 35–60% of BOD without chemicals, reduces installation space by up to 85%, and significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
Optimized capital and operating expenses
Reduced treatment footprint and energy use
No chemical additives, eliminating sludge from coagulants/flocculants
Gravity-driven operation for lower energy consumption
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased biogas recovery
Enhanced resilience and capacity for municipal treatment plants
These features make Proteus ideal for dense urban areas and regions facing climate-related challenges.
Canada and the United States are actively verifying technologies to replace primary sedimentation tanks in existing treatment plants. Proteus recently demonstrated its exceptional performance at Linda County Water District during a California Energy Commission’s three-year study.
E.F. Dong-woo Kim, CEO of BKT/Tomorrow Water, said, “Unlike other pilots, we must prove both sewage treatment performance and mechanical stability through 52 weeks of non-stop operation.” He added, “In the future, we will respond to the expanding sewage treatment demand in Quebec and across Canada, reduce the government’s budget burden with Proteus technology that is both economical and environmentally friendly, and contribute to solving international environmental issues.”
Global Expansion
The Écotech Québec pilot is part of Tomorrow Water’s mission to deliver sustainable, high-performance water solutions globally. With a Canadian branch and strong local partnerships, Tomorrow Water is helping municipalities transition to next-generation treatment systems. As pilot projects roll out across North America and the globe, Proteus is emerging as a global benchmark for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Partnerships
Tomorrow Water Canada
Tomorrow Water Canada is a subsidiary of BKT/Tomorrow Water, a global leader in water and wastewater treatment technologies with over 170 patents and 25 years of expertise.
Brault Maxtech Inc. is a Quebec-based supplier in the water sector, offering installation, sales, and after-sales service for advanced water treatment equipment. As Tomorrow Water’s local partner, it ensures successful deployment of solutions like Proteus.
Écotech Québec, Canada’s first clean technology cluster, supports companies, researchers, investors, and associations in accelerating clean technology development. It collaborates with organizations like G15+, SWITCH, and the Canada Cleantech Alliance, and is a member of the International Cleantech Network.