WET Center celebrates twenty-five years of collaborative research
Dr. Morteza Abbaszadegan (ASU) and Dr. Ian Pepper (UA) have been key leaders in the WET Center’s 25-year history.
In February 2025, University researchers and non-academic members of the Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center (LINK) gathered in Tucson for their annual meeting. The research collaboration represented by WET is well-described on the WEST Center website:
“WET is a National Science Foundation (NSF)-graduated Center focused on water and wastewater technology. It is a virtual center with access to all of the University of Arizona expertise and administrated within the WEST facility. WET Center research is funded by public and private sector memberships. Membership funding is used for research relevant to the members. Additionally, WET has a Memorandum of Understanding with Arizona State University and Temple University that allows for leveraging of resources and collaborative research. Collectively, the three universities provide access to the latest technologies and innovative concepts that efficiently address water and energy issues.”
Research conducted by the Center is focused on water and wastewater technology developments with areas of emphasis including emerging contaminant detection and removal (e.g., PFAS); microbial pathogen detection and inactivation; water reuse and groundwater recharge; wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE); beneficial use of biosolids; magnetic and alternative water treatments; and more. Innovations in these research areas have a direct impact on communities, and benefits for WET industry and public sector members. WET members include:
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WET Center members met in Tucson in February 2025.
Municipal drinking water and wastewater utilities
- Water industry organizations/associations (for example, CASA)
- Water and wastewater treatment technology manufacturers
- Agricultural companies
- Chemical companies
- Food & beverage companies
- State and federal water quality regulators
The WET Center is an innovative and multi-faceted research venture which has a long history. Beginning 25 years ago at the University of Arizona, it was funded in 1999 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with the first year of operation in 2000. At that time, it was known as the Water Quality Center and was led by Dr. Ian Pepper. While initially a sole enterprise of the University of Arizona, Arizona State University (ASU) joined the endeavor in 2002, with lead ASU collaborator Dr. Morteza Abbaszadegan.
The WET Center was funded as a five-year grant which was then renewed for another five years. Though NSF Centers typically graduate after 10 years, NSF was impressed with the UA-ASU collaboration. During the following 10 years of extended NSF support, the name of the center changed to the Water and Environmental Technology (WET) Center. Temple University, with leadership from Dr. Rominder Suri, also joined the research efforts.
By 2020, the now tri-university center boasted the extraordinary accomplishment of having been funded by NSF for 20 years. In 2020, the WET Center was successfully awarded another five years of NSF funding. However, leadership declined national funds at that time – and attendant funding requirements. The Center now continues as an NSF-graduated research enterprise. This year, 2025, marks 25 years of successful partnership and productive research for the WET Center. Congratulations!
WET Center State-of-the-Center Reports:
ASU-State-of-the-Center-2025 (to be posted when available)
