A multidisciplinary team of engineers and utilities has launched a groundbreaking research initiative to address the need for industry-wide guidance on smart sewer system implementation.
Funded by The Water Research Foundation, project 5297 focuses on developing practical solutions for utilities seeking to maximize existing infrastructure capacity while reducing capital expenditures through smart technologies. The comprehensive 24-month study will deliver critical guidance for utilities of all sizes seeking alternatives to costly traditional infrastructure upgrades.
“Smart sewer approaches have the potential to greatly improve environmental outcomes at significantly lower costs for communities of all sizes and locations, and can be used to address sewershed problems like sewer overflows, chronic flooding and water quality issues,” says WRF CEO Peter Grevatt. “We are excited to work with Carollo Engineers and the 14 participating utilities to advance smart sewer research to help realize the full potential of these approaches.”
A Faster Method for Detecting Viruses in Water
Michigan State University researchers have developed a new method for testing food and water for bacteria and viruses that drastically cuts the time from days to just a few hours. This innovative approach uses glycan-coated magnetic nanoparticles to isolate contaminants, with the glycan acting as a sugar that attracts and sticks to the proteins on the surface of the microbes. A magnet is then used to remove the nanoparticles and the attached contaminants from the sample.
Once the contaminants are removed, a biological sensor with gold nanoparticles is used to identify the specific type of bacteria by detecting its DNA. This process is much faster than traditional methods, taking a total of two to four hours from start to finish.
Arizona Water Agency Evaluates Desalination Proposals
An Arizona water agency is currently evaluating six proposals to increase the state's water supply, all of which are focused on desalination projects. The Arizona Water Infrastructure Finance Authority considers this a significant step toward securing the state's water future.
However, the effort has been marked by political conflict over funding and diplomacy. While the previous administration allocated $1 billion to the agency to attract a major augmentation project, the current administration clawed back most of that money. Read more about it here.
