UNC receives award for its reclaimed water system, rainwater reuse
| October 09, 2009 | |
| UNC recently received a national award for the reclaimed water system that began serving the main campus in April and for its innovative reuse of rainwater in a second project. The WateReuse Association gave the University its 2009 Institution of the Year award at the association’s annual symposium on Sept. 14 in Seattle. The awards recognize projects and individuals that advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources. 
Dr. Mark Sobsey
The University partnered with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority to develop a new water reuse system that serves the University’s chiller plant cooling towers, athletic fields and toilet flushing at certain facilities. The system began operating in April, after more than five years of extensive feasibility studies, pilot-scale and laboratory microbiological studies, and final design and construction. Studies documenting the performance of the reuse system in reducing microbiological contaminants and producing safe water of negligible health risk were done by a team of students and staff led by Mark Sobsey, PhD, Kenan Distinguished Professor of environmental sciences and engineering. The award also recognized the Bell Tower project, in which the University developed an innovative water reuse system using blended reclaimed water and harvested roof water to supply nonpotable water needs on campus. The WateReuse Association is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science and technology using reclamation, recycling, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu. |
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