Melanie Blackburn

Research Interests / Specializations:

Field Performance Evaluation of a Novel Pre-Treatment Stormwater System in a Cold Climate

There is a serious need to provide improved sustainable and resilient stormwater management systems in urban areas across Canada. One such solution may be a new catch basin, known as the EnviroBasin, that is placed directly at the stormwater runoff inlet to prevent contaminants, litter, and other debris carried by stormwater from entering storm sewers. This catch basin reduces the energy of inflowing water to capture suspended solids in the basket and underlying sump. While this ‘pre-treatment’ device catch basin has been developed and tested via numerous laboratory experiments and has been installed at several locations in Canada, its performance so far has been solely based on the mass of pollutants captured over a period. The objective of this research is to assess the performance of a novel pre-treatment device for removing pollutants from stormwater runoff across a range of storm conditions and seasons.

Personal Background:

Melanie Blackburn graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The University of Western Ontario in the Spring of 2024, where she developed a strong foundation of stormwater management and salinization of freshwater resources. During her time at Western, she had the opportunity to complete an undergraduate thesis on the ice melting and environmental effects of a novel alternative road de-icing salt. Additionally, she partook in the Canadian Engineering Competition and won the Canadian Engineering Grand Challenges Award which is presented to an innovative design group that focuses on critical issues facing Canadians today. Her previous education and internships have equipped her with the necessary skills and knowledge to take on her current role as a MESc student. In her free time, Melanie enjoys volleyball, reading, and activities with friends.