North America

Improving Water Supply Reliability in Wilmington, North Carolina

Photo Credits: https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/north-carolina/stories-in-north-carolina/cape-fear-river/ Site Context Wilmington is situated on the southeast coast of North Carolina, along the Cape Fear River. Wilmington’s location along the river is quite precarious as it is located downstream of multiple industrial towns. As a result, contaminants, specifically PFAs, infiltrate the water supply.  Wilmington is situated […]

Addressing the Infrastructure and I&I Issues in Washington, North Carolina

Background InformationWashington, North Carolina is a small city of about 10,000 residents situated on the banks where the Tar and Pamlico Rivers meet. The city enjoys excellent access to the riverfront which has been developed into recreational open space with several docks, and is surrounded by marshland, or former marshland. […]

Grassy Narrows First Nation (Asubpeechoseewagong Netum Anishinabek): Water Management for the Future

Grassy Narrows First Nation has faced a wide variety of water supply, quality, and management challenges. The community has endured years of severe water pollution resulting from nearby industrial activities and poorly designed treatment infrastructure. Of the challenges that will persist or emerge, wastewater management is likely to present the most serious threat. This research proposes that Grassy Narrows install a wastewater re-use facility to treat wastewater to a potable standard. Given the lost history of water challenges, maintaining reliable and well-functioning water systems is paramount for the community’s wellbeing. Installing a wastewater re-use facility would proactively bring the community additional capacity and resources for managing an uncertain future while maintaining sovereignty and autonomy as a First Nation. 

Waukesha: Managing Great Lakes Diversion Water

Introduction Waukesha is a sprawling suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Serious groundwater contamination issues have created a scarcity of drinking water for Waukesha, forcing the city to look towards other sources. After yearslong negotiations with state authorities, Waukesha received approval in 2016 to divert drinking water from Lake Michigan and begin […]