Margaret Wack

Sep 18, 2025

New Tool Helps Wastewater Treatment Plants Across North Carolina

When is the last time you thought about your sewer system? While often overlooked, sewer systems play a crucial role in transporting and treating wastewater and are an integral part of our infrastructure when it comes to public health. A recent project, led by professor Chris Osburn of NC State’s Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences…

Jun 18, 2025

Announcing Our 2025 CCRG Grant Recipients

Four new projects have received funding from the Community Collaborative Research Grant Program (CCRG). North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and North Carolina Sea Grant administer the CCRG Program in partnership with the William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science (KIETS). These projects, which couple scientific expertise with local knowledge, foster…

May 6, 2025

New NC WRRI and NC Sea Grant Fellows to Conduct Research on Invasive Species, Stormwater Runoff, Algal Blooms, and More

Seven fellows were selected for WRRI’s “Mountains to Sea” request for proposals, focusing on coastal and freshwater resources across the state. Six student fellows are funded by the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute and North Carolina Sea Grant, and one is supported by the Stormwater Consortium. Their projects focus on timely topics including coastal…

Apr 29, 2025

New Research Projects Focus on PFAS, A Contaminant of Emerging Concern

WRRI is pleased to announce two new projects, funded in partnership with the Urban Water Consortium, that address testing and treatment of water and wastewater for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a contaminant of emerging concern. The Urban Water Consortium (UWC) was established in 1985 to connect urban water managers in North Carolina with scientific…

Mar 25, 2025

The 2025 WRRI Annual Conference in Review

Over 300 participants attended the 2025 WRRI Annual Conference, which took place in Raleigh on March 19 and 20 and featured engaging talks and presentations on water-related issues from researchers and practitioners across the state. The event included 39 poster presentations, 15 lightning talks, and additional oral presentations and panel discussions over 6 concurrent sessions.…

Feb 25, 2025

Announcing the 2025 NC WRRI Annual Conference Plenary Speakers

The 2025 NC WRRI Annual Conference plenary speakers have been announced! These speakers, who will lead the opening sessions on both days of the conference, include scientists, researchers, and communicators working in water. On Wednesday, March 19th, the first day of our annual conference will open with a panel titled “Managing Misinformation: Working in Communities and Building Trust.”…

Jan 21, 2025

Agenda Now Available for the 2025 WRRI Annual Conference

The draft agenda for NC WRRI’s annual conference is now available online. View the agenda to learn more about session topics and schedules, lightning talks, poster presentations, and more. Please note that this draft agenda is subject to change—attendees should periodically check for agenda updates. Our 27th annual conference will take place on March 19th…

Jan 9, 2025

Registration Now Open for the 2025 NC Water Resources Annual Conference

North Carolina’s Water Resources Research Institute will host the 27th NC Water Resources Annual Conference on March 19th and 20th. The conference will be held in person at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Registration for the 2025 Annual Conference is now open. Rates and additional information can be found on the NC WRRI…

Nov 7, 2024

Plastic from the Mountains to the Sea

From the Fall 2024 issue of Coastwatch: From plastic trash along creeks and rivers, to microplastics in waterways — and in our bloodstreams — plastic pollution is present on every continent, including Antarctica.  As we reported in the Summer 2023 issue of Coastwatch, plastic pollution is significant in North Carolina, as samples from the Neuse River…

Nov 7, 2024

Funding Opportunity: Climate Impacts on Human Health in Western North Carolina

We’re pleased to share this funding opportunity from our colleagues at the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS) and the NC State Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE): The UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility (CEHS) and the NC State Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE) NIEHS P30…