A significant body of applied water research is already completed, underway, or planned by the Water Center.
Water Center Projects
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.
Collectively, Pennsylvania’s drinking, storm and wastewater infrastructure is in poor condition. Municipal leaders face a significant backlog of infrastructure maintenance challenges as well as new challenges due to an increasing number of large storm events, which result in flooding and water quality impacts. Although financing for water infrastructure improvement at low interest rates is available through PENNVEST, the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development programs and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development community block grants, these funding sources largely go… Read More