University of Arizona's WEST Center

WEST Center facilitates innovative research and technology development to ensure sustainable water supplies that protects and promotes environmental and human health. Critical to WEST’s success is the partnership between the University of Arizona, the private sector, utilities, and the community at large.

Features of the WEST Center:

State-of-the-art facility for new water and energy technology evaluation
Provides world class expertise in:
- Environmental microbiology & environmental engineering
- Technology development for reduced energy use in water treatment
- In line real-time sensors for water treatment technologies
A leading center in emerging chemical and microbial contaminants
Community monitoring of infectious agents for pandemic prevention and prediction
Co-located with Wastewater Reclamation Facility allows for direct access to online variable water qualities for flow-through experiments

News

WEST Director Ian Pepper awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

May 3, 2023

In recognition of years of accomplishment and contribution, WEST Center Director, Dr. Ian Pepper, was awarded the Eugene G. Sander Lifetime Achievement Award.

More Circularity, Less Drain: UArizona and SRP Collaborate to Improve Sustainability of Data Centers

May 2, 2023

During the past four years, UArizona's Dr. Hickenbottom has worked with the Salt River Project (SRP) to study water-energy nexus opportunities, and promote data center sustainability.

Students conduct research at Biosphere 2

Collaborative virus research at Biosphere 2 facility may help prevent future pandemics

April 13, 2023

Researchers from the University of Arizona WEST Center and College of Public Health are measuring the lifespans of viruses at Biosphere 2 in an effort to prevent future pandemics.

YCEDA laboratory staff monitor wastewater for Candida auris.

UArizona researchers to help track deadly fungus in Arizona wastewater

April 12, 2023

Wastewater-based epidemiology's potential was brought to bear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it could help public health officials get ahead of the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris.

University of Arizona laboratories deepen collaboration

March 29, 2023

Laboratory staff from YCEDA and WEST shared expertise during a recent visit from Yuma colleagues to the WEST Center. YCEDA and WEST are working to align protocols for a state level wastewater monitoring program.

WEST-led PFAS National Collaborative Study gets off the ground

Nov. 10, 2022

A national collaborative study to evaluate PFAS in soils with land-applied biosolids has taken off, with funding secured and sampling begun.

Water+Energy Nexus

Innovative Technology

WET Center at WEST

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