Oil sands surface mines contain over 400 million cubic meters of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) in tailings ponds. Although OSPW is reused in mining, treating dissolved organics can facilitate the faster return of water to watersheds, minimizing environmental risks. Canada’s energy industry seeks sustainable, low-energy technologies for compliance. To address this, H2nanO developed SolarPass, a buoyant, sunlight-activated photocatalyst that accelerates OSPW detoxification and organic transformation. After five years of collaboration with industry and academia, a two-year CRIN project will validate SolarPass’s effectiveness in real-world conditions, promoting sustainability and creating skilled jobs, including opportunities for underrepresented communities.