GLOBAL POTABLE WATER QUALITY RESEARCH AT
THE UNIVERISTY OF ARIZONA WATER VILLAGE
Ian L. Pepper
The University of Arizona
A fundamental requirement for the 21st Century is the ability to provide safe, healthy potable water to
consumers, with acceptable taste and odor. To answer these global needs, the University of Arizona has
developed “The Water Village.” The Water Village is an intermediate field scale testing facility
comprised of modular buildings that allow for the study of water and wastewater treatment and
distribution. Central to this is the concept of “Smart Water Distribution Systems.” The “Real-Time
Monitoring and Sensor Lab” is a test bed dedicated to the detection of microbial and chemical
contaminants in distribution systems in real time. Multiple sensors in parallel are integrated holistically
to allow for simultaneous detection of both types of contaminants. In a “smart water distribution
system,” contaminant detection in real time is a priority, however an additional requirement is the
predictive capacity to monitor dispersion and transport of contaminants following detection. This
requirement is provided by the “Water Network Distribution Lab,” which develops state-of-the-art
models for contaminant fate and transport. Finally, protection of the consumer to potential water
contaminants is vital. This equipment is met by the “Microbiology and Point-of-Use Lab” which
specializes in novel low energy disinfection technologies, and the evaluation of new point-of-use
technologies which potentially provide the final barrier to contaminant intrusion of a consumer
residence. In addition, the Water Village contains the “Novel Wastewater Treatment Lab,” which
evaluates low energy treatment technologies, and a “Water Reuse Education and Outreach Building.”
Overall, the Water Village has gained a national reputation and is the basis of several major projects that
are currently underway.
Seminar Outline
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Overview of the Water Village
Real-time detection of contaminants in water distribution systems
Transport and dispersion of contaminants in water distribution systems
A new assay for the detection of infectious prions in water
Wasterbased pathogens: the hidden threat in our water supply systems