Drinking water is one of society's most critical needs, and delivery of safe drinking water is a strategic priority around the world. Natural disturbances and extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires pose new risks in a changing climate.

The forWater Network contributes to critical new knowledge and technologies needed to adapt to climate change and build resilient, adaptive communities. It does this by connecting the diverse knowledge of vast disciplines including: water quality and treatment, hydrology, forest management, and resource economics.

— forWater network 

Dr. Mark Johnson leads the Pacific Maritime Node, one of five regional nodes that make up the Watershed Science Theme. This node also includes Dr. Bill Floyd, Dr. Suzanne Tank, and their respective research groups.

This research is conducted in coastal regions of British Columbia, where the hydrological regime is generally rain-donimated, vegetation consists mainly of large conifers, and forest disturbances include wildfire, clear cutting, and other forest management activity.