News

Water-Energy Nexus at Forefront of UA Research

The interrelation of water and energy is an essential area of inquiry at WEST Center.  A current collaborative study between faculty in Optical Sciences and Chemical Engineering/WEST explores the potential for using new solar-thermal technology for water purification.

WEST Industry Advisory Board (IAB) Convenes in Tucson, AZ

Members of the WEST Center Industry Advisory Board (IAB) met in Tucson on Oct. 9 for the WEST Center 2018 IAB Meeting & Research Symposium.  Attendees heard research updates, toured WEST, and discussed priorities for new project development.  It was a great opportunity to connect with partners.

International Delegates Visit WEST Center, Discuss Collaboration

On October 11, 2018, WEST Center hosted delegations from Mexico's Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and Israel's Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).  Delegations toured the facility and discussed possible collaboration.

WEST research features at IWA World Water Congress in Tokyo

WEST faculty present research conducted in collaboration with WEST-member, METAWATER, at IWA Conference in Tokyo. Study results indicate filtration method for virus removal has potential for application in water reuse.

Membrane processes focus of new WEST Center projects

Bureau of Reclamation and RAPID Manufacturing Institute award WEST Center faculty funding to advance zero liquid discharge technology and train students and professionals on membrane processes to purify water.

33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium a Success

More than 600 water reuse professionals gathered in Austin, Texas on September 9-12, 2018 to learn what’s working, what’s new, and what’s next in water recycling. Reflecting the largest attendance at the Annual WateReuse Symposium in nearly a decade, participants came from 34 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and nine countries to attend the nation’s premier conference on water reuse.

AZ Pure Water project receives Transformational Innovation Award

Pima County’s AZ Pure Water Brew Challenge project won the Transformational Innovation Award at the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium, September 10 in Austin, Texas. The WateReuse Association honored the project for its leadership, creativity and persistence in supporting recycled water.  Congratulations to Pima County and other partners on the project.

"Pure Water Truck" On the Move

The advanced mobile water purification trailer (or “beer truck”) has gotten a lot of mileage. In just a couple years, it has garnered awards, captured public attention, and logged 7,700 miles while producing 94,000 gallons of purified water.  Where will it travel next?

History of Reclaimed Water Use Highlighted at WEST Event

Chuck Graf, recently retired Principal Hydrogeologist from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), shared his deep knowledge of water reuse history and water quality standards during a visit to WEST Center on August 7, 2018.

Arizona Public Media Reports on Solar Water Panels, Visits WEST Center

Vanessa Barchfield reports on an Arizona-based company’s efforts to use solar technology to produce potable water from vapor in the air. The solar-panel devices can even produce a few liters per day in Arizona’s arid climate.

University of Arizona Professor, Andrea Achilli, contributes to the report, explaining research on water treatment technology at UA's WEST Center.

WateReuse AZ scholarship awarded to WEST Center student

Christina Morrison, studying the fate and transport of viruses in treated wastewater effluent, wins WateReuse Arizona scholarship to continue research at UA's WEST Center.

New System at WEST Tackles Big Questions

A new pilot-scale ultrafiltration (UF) / reverse osmosis (RO) system is getting a workout as WEST Center faculty and students strive to answer big questions in water reuse.