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Water Equipment and Policy Center (WEP)

Center Overview

The Water Equipment and Policy Center (WEP) focuses on creating new sensors and devices, novel materials, innovative systems, and water policies that will help change the way the world manages its acutely stressed water resources.

WEP focuses its water industry research on point of use and point of entry technologies, emerging contaminants, sustainability, reduced energy consumption, and the 'internet of things' for the consumer, industrial, and municipal markets. Because regulations significantly affect the adoption of new technologies in the water industry, WEP has a policy component as part of its mission.

The growing world population is overwhelming scarce water supplies, and climate change is making the situation worse. WEP is headquartered in southeastern Wisconsin, home to more than 150 companies serving the water industry. These companies collaborate in establishing the region as the Western Hemisphere's leading water technology cluster. Since its founding, WEP's universities have made significant investments in facilities and equipment and added scientists focused on water research. These facilities, labs, and equipment have been instrumental in developing WEP's core strengths.

Universities

Marquette University
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

View Center Website

Center Personnel

Qian Liao
Center Director
+1 414 229 4228
liao@uwm.edu

Deyang Qu
Center Staff
+1 414 229 4853
qud@uwm.edu

Daniel Zitomer
Center Staff
+1 414 288 7200
daniel.zitomer@mu.edu

Research Focus

WEP's data-driven research allows regulators to make informed policy decisions and connects today's water components and systems via the internet of things to build tomorrow's smart water systems. Research in sensors, materials, and environmental systems includes:

Innovative materials that resist corrosion, reduce friction, and save energy in water treatment and distribution systems, and self-healing materials that automatically repair cracks that develop.
Nutrient removal, advanced wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, and bioenergy generation.
Real-time sensors that detect contaminants in water and wastewater systems, and remote locations.

Awards

2113851

IUCRC Phase III: Marquette University: Center for Water Equipment and Policy (WEP)

Clean drinking water and sanitation are economic and policy issues that need to be addressed for sustainable growth of the US economy. A collaboration between University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University, the IUCRC for Water Equipment and Policy (WEP) provides innovative water technologies and processes to promote advancement of the water industry and conducts research to inform water policy makers. During Phase I and II, WEP has completed nearly 100 pre-competitive research projects in four thrust areas: water sensors, novel materials, innovative treatment systems, and water policy research. Through research, the WEP Center has provided innovative products and solutions to address industrial partners’ unmet/underserved needs in point-of-use technologies, emerging contaminants, sustainability, and energy conservation. In Phase III, the WEP Center aims to capitalize on past success, grow center research through new customer discovery, expand the research team through site additions, continuously refine the technology roadmap, explore new frontiers of water science for break-through technologies, and train a talented workforce to meet the nation’s needs in drinking water quality and wastewater management.

The Marquette University site of WEP is comprised of researchers and facilities to develop the next generation of technologies to treat and protect drinking water and natural waters. On the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University water researchers work with regulators and industry representatives in equipment manufacturing, municipal utility, and chemical production to advance water technology and protect Great Lakes water. Researchers in civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering, biological sciences, and law/policy collaborate to address contemporary challenges identified by Center members. WEP also seeks to train the next generation of water technology professionals. Member-driven research to address policy information needs is conducted by the Marquette University Law School's Water Law and Policy Initiative in collaboration with engineers and scientists. Unique resources and capabilities for collaborative research include the Marquette University Water Quality Center, the V. Clayton Lafferty Laboratory for Advanced Microsystems Research, and the Nanoscale Devices Laboratory where work is performed to develop novel processes and sensors for the water industry as well as to train students and postdoctoral researchers.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

2113857

IUCRC Phase III: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Center for Water Equipment and Policy (WEP)

Clean drinking water and sanitation are economic and policy issues that need to be addressed for sustainable growth of the US economy. A collaboration between University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University, the IUCRC for Water Equipment and Policy (WEP) provides innovative water technologies and processes to promote advancement of the water industry and conducts research to inform water policy makers. During Phase I and II, WEP has completed nearly 100 pre-competitive research projects in four thrust areas: water sensors, novel materials, innovative treatment systems, and water policy research. Through research, the WEP Center has provided innovative products and solutions to address industrial partners’ unmet/underserved needs in point-of-use technologies, emerging contaminants, sustainability, and energy conservation. In Phase III, the WEP Center aims to capitalize on past success, grow center research through new customer discovery, expand the research team through site additions, continuously refine the technology roadmap, explore new frontiers of water science for break-through technologies, and train a talented workforce to meet the nation’s needs in drinking water quality and wastewater management.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is the Lead Site of the WEP IUCRC. The UWM site’s research thrust areas include: (1) low-cost, real-time, flow and water quality sensors for smart water infrastructure applications and consumer products that reduces water leaks and prevent contamination; (2) novel materials for water applications, such as non-toxic biocide coatings, anti-fouling and anti-corrosion surfaces, and membrane and absorbent-based water filtration materials; and (3) point-of-use water treatment systems that remove or destroy contaminants in drinking water, such as arsenic, bacteria, and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Research activities at the UWM site will benefit WEP members through improved product performance while also improving STEM education, promoting entrepreneurship, attracting underrepresented students, and training the future workforce for the growing water industry. Unique resources and capabilities for collaborative research include the UWM Water Technology Accelerator which is dedicated to turning research activities into commercial products with advanced fabrication processes; the Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Sustainable Energy and Environment; and the UWM Composites Center for Advanced Materials Manufacturing which creates novel superhydrophobic and self-healing materials.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. Read More >

Member Organizations

IUCRC affiliated member organizations are displayed as submitted by the Center. Non-federal organizations are not selected, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

A O Smith
Badger Meter
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
GE
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
New Water
Pentair Water
Sentry Equipment
Sloan
Watts Water
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.