Sustainable Water Systems and Reuse
To increase water availability and security for sustainable communities, food production, and industry, engineers are adopting a fit-for-purpose approach to improving sanitation, decontamination, desalination, and recycling and reuse of grey and wastewater. New advances are also being made in low-cost, real-time monitoring of water quality, as well as models to predict water flows and quality. Researchers are developing energy-efficient separation technologies and novel nature-inspired materials to recover water from air. Healthy watersheds and wetlands increase water security, so it is important to maintain a balance between human and natural systems. It is also imperative to understand the impacts of emerging contaminants, such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals, on human health and natural systems including the Great Lakes.