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image: aerial view of a lithium mine in N.C. Piedmont.

Apr 7, 2026

When Water Meets Rock

Researchers on a North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute and Duke University project are investigating the residual effects of lithium mining — and shedding light on the potential impacts of future mining operations. 

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…
graphic: water and magnifying glass.

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…

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…

Aug 6, 2024

Announcing Our 2024 CCRG Grant Recipients

Five new projects have received funding from the Community Collaborative Research Grant Program (CCRG). North Carolina Sea Grant and N.C. Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) administer the CCRG Program in…

Aug 6, 2024

NC WRRI Research Funding Opportunity: WRRI-USGS 104(b) Grants Now Open for Preproposals

The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), along with the U.S. Geological Survey 104(b) program, is requesting proposals for the 2025-2026 WRRI-USGS 104b competitive grants program. Faculty or university…

May 28, 2024

From the Mountains to the Sea: Researchers and Community Activists Focus on Plastic Pollution in North Carolina

From plastic trash littering our creeks and rivers, to microplastics in our waterways and bloodstreams, plastic pollution can feel ubiquitous and inevitable—but some North Carolina researchers are doing vital work to measure plastic in our environments, raise awareness about its impacts, and combat its effects.

Nov 20, 2023

NC WRRI’s 2023 Faculty Researchers Announced

North Carolina’s Water Resource Research Institute (WRRI) is pleased to announce newly funded faculty researchers for 2023. This biennial request for proposals is jointly supported by the North Carolina Water…
The main street of Conover, NC, a small southern town. Small shops line the street on each side, and light green water tower is visible in the distance.

Oct 3, 2023

Free Mapping Tool Will Help Small NC Towns Meet Water Quality Requirements

The world is digitized. From data to images to maps, they can be found in a digital format. One NC group is working to make that true for NC’s water…
A graphic image detailing sources that contribute to PFAS in water.

Apr 25, 2023

NC Urban Water Consortium-Funded Researcher Looks to Eliminate PFAS

Scientists in North Carolina and beyond continue to identify harmful effects of chemicals once considered useful and innovative — but those chemicals are now causing damage to our water systems…