Staff

Aug 15, 2025

PFAS, Arsenic, and Trade-Offs

New research finds that drilling deeper groundwater wells may provide residents in counties along the Cape Fear River with safer drinking water. It’s a promising alternative for many people living near the river, where per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — also known as “forever chemicals” — have seeped into shallow groundwater for years.

Aug 4, 2025

Waste Not, Want Not

Whit Wheeler, the director of Raleigh Water, approached Emily Berglund and Tarek Aziz, professors of civil and environmental engineering at NC State University, to explore potential approaches that would make Raleigh Water more resilient to drought. Now, they have partnered to identify possible solutions for the city.

May 1, 2024

New Funding Opportunity Opens for PFAS Research 

The Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and the Urban Water Consortium (UWC) are requesting proposals for applied research to strengthen the UWC’s response to and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water and wastewater in North Carolina. Applicants should submit pre-proposals through the NCEWRRI portal by June 28th.

Dec 18, 2023

NC WRRI, Sea Grant and Space Grant Seek Communications Director

Three statewide federal partnership programs based at NC State University are seeking a communications director. The application process is detailed in the full posting at jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/194665.

Mar 9, 2021

Parks with Purpose: Restoring Nature & Building Community

On a cold November morning and while holding his mud caked shovel, a local workforce training crew member, Kameron, reflected, “I remember talking about how to manage invasive species in one of my college biology classes, but I never received any hands-on experience, and didn’t know how much work invasive management is. Now I know…

May 7, 2020

WRRI Kicks Off Virtual Conference Series with Coastal Wastewater Treatment Session

In April, WRRI hosted its first-ever virtual Annual Conference session, kicking off a series of periodic sessions throughout the spring and summer. These sessions will ensure the great planning work for the conference still serves the WRRI audience through converting to this virtual format, making WRRI Annual Conference content more available to the water resources…

Apr 28, 2020

NC Water Utilities Continue to Provide Safe, Reliable Water

With news and information about the novel coronavirus constantly evolving, it is reassuring to know some things remain the same amidst all the changes. One of those things is the availability of safe, clean, reliable drinking water – something water utilities like the members of the Urban Water Consortium are working hard to maintain in…

Apr 15, 2020

Promoting Green Infrastructure Through Schools

A WRRI–North Carolina Sea Grant-supported student investigates perceptions of green infrastructure at schools.  By Maya Hoon There is value in establishing a connection between nature and children. As children learn and grow, they will take the lessons of their childhood into adulthood, applying the values they absorbed to their higher education, careers and personal lives.…

Mar 2, 2020

Reconstructing the Past to Understand Impacts on Water Quality

A WRRI–North Carolina Sea Grant-supported researcher studies decades of satellite data to see the where and how CAFOs may be impacting water quality. By Maya Hoon UPDATED: Home to many swine industries, North Carolina has been a booming hub for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) since the 1980s. However, as hog farms continue to increase,…

Feb 10, 2020

NC Sea Grant – WRRI Fellow Studies Lead Contamination In Vulnerable NC Communities

Lead threatens water security in low-income and African American communities By Maya Hoon As household plumbing and water pipes age, lead, a potent neurotoxin, may contaminate drinking water from corrosion. With this issue raising concern within North Carolina, researchers seek to produce information on where contaminated drinking waters are more likely to occur. Among these…