A significant body of applied water research is already completed, underway, or planned by the Water Center.
Water Center Projects
Explore innovative regional financing solutions designed to encourage new stormwater utilities (and associated fees) and identify novel approaches for bringing new financial resources to bear in the protection and restoration of Delaware River waterways. Create a tool kit of financing options for water policy and program managers to draw from and examine the case for considering regional models in watershed management. Propose four innovative financial mechanisms that to date have only been gently probed, but are worthy of much deeper feasibility analysis.
Partnering with Critica Science to develop ways to combat drinking water safety misinformation that can negatively impact individuals’ physical and financial health by providing timely, up-to-date scientifically valid responses. Provide content-specific technical expertise as the need arises during the implementation of the research project and collaborate in the authorship of publications to disseminate information on strategies developed.
Provide policy guidance and technical assistance on the principles of integrated water management (IWM) in three cities including in South Bend, Indiana, Toledo, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with particular focus on how IWM can help create affordable access to water services.
Support the development and implementation of the Drink Philly Tap project formed to empower residents of Philadelphia with information and knowledge to choose drinking tap water over bottled water.
Providing support to the mayor and city council of Duquesne, PA in identifying and pursuing the steps necessary to ensure a safe, sustainable water distribution system for a financially distressed, shrinking industrial city with severe fiscal and demographic challenges. Identifying key technical, governance and financial challenges, as well as potential sources of financial and technical assistance.