Researchers develop reverse osmosis system to preserve Arizona’s water

Researchers at the University of Arizona are working on new ways to help the state conserve its precious water resources for the future. The U of A Water & Energy Sustainable Technology (WEST) Center is developing a reverse osmosis system that will expand wastewater reuse in Arizona. WEST is part of a four-year, $38 million Water Reuse Consortium with the University of Southern California and the University of Nevada, Reno.

WEST researchers are working on methods for desalination of wastewater as well as improved virus detection and public engagement efforts to increase public support for large-scale adoption of water reuse. Arizona gets much of its water from groundwater and from the Colorado River and Lake Mead. However, ongoing droughts threaten these resources. The goal of WEST researchers is to produce clean water in a way that’s both cost effective and energy efficient to help lower water costs for Arizona’s families while protecting the environment.

“Water reuse is really appealing because it can become a self-sustaining source of water,” said Andrea Achilli, associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and deputy director of WEST. “If we can keep on reusing wastewater then we can really diminish the freshwater intake.”