Research findings shared at WET semi-annual meeting

In mid-December 2021, researchers from the University of Arizona's Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center and Arizona State University convened for the Water & Environmental Technology (WET) Center semi-annual meeting in Tempe, AZ. The WET Center provides a platform for public/private partnerships to address water and environmental issues. Collaborations are developed in which private sector companies provide funds for participating academic researchers and institutions (rich in expertise and equipment) to solve problems for the companies and frequently the community.
 

At the meeting held December 12 and 13, participants highlighted recent research findings. Some reports included findings on:

• The effects of magnetic treatments on biofilms;
• Control strategies for 1,4 dioxane and NDMA;
• Monitoring COVID-19 via wastewater-based epidemiology; and
• Innovative methods for evaluating microbial physiological activity.
   

Proposals for new and continuing research were also presented and discussed. A few of the projects for future/additional study were as follows:

• Study of the Mechanisms of Disinfectants on Opportunistic Pathogens in Distribution Systems and Biofilms
• Point-of-use Device for Removing Legionella in Water
• Data Science Applications for Regional Water Quality Project
   

The WET Center was formerly a National Science Foundation (NSF) Center and included Temple University along with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Since it’s inception in 1999, the University of Arizona branch of the WET Center has:

• Received $6,520,685 in funding.
• Completed 135 UA Center-funded projects and 73 enhancement projects funded directly by industry members.
• Hosted 41 semi-annual meetings to foster the dynamic relationship among private sector companies, the university, and government agencies.
• Supported 19 postdoctoral fellows, 58 graduate students, and 38 undergraduate students.
• Provided basic water quality training to K-12 teachers as part of a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) and Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program.
• Contributed to science and technology through 102 peer-reviewed journal articles and 110 proceedings.
   

WEST Center sent several representatives to the December 2021 WET meeting, including Dr. Ian Pepper and students Aidan Foster, Hannah Riedemann, and Zhimu Lin. Attending individuals presented research and provided focused input on decisions related to funding allocation for future projects. The next WET Center meeting will be held at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ.
 

For more information, contact Dr. Ian Pepper at ipepper@email.arizona.edu.