water resources

Oct 5, 2023

NC WRRI Calls for 2024 Conference Abstracts

UPDATE December 4, 2023: The abstract submission deadline has been extended to December 17. Now Accepting Abstracts WRRI’s annual conference brings together students, faculty, and practitioners from multiple sectors and disciplines working in water resources across North Carolina. The 2024 event will take place on March 20-21 in Raleigh. NC WRRI is accepting abstracts until…

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 utilities boundaries. A collaborative research team led by Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability is working to lessen the digital divide for…

In a brightly lit room, someone fills up a clear glass with water from the sink.

Sep 27, 2023

NC WRRI Fellows Work to Improve Well Water Quality Through PFAS Research

BY EMMA SCARDINA Graduate students Tiffany VanDerwerker of North Carolina State University and Charlotte Robbins of UNC Chapel Hill are supporting rural communities through their research on PFAS in well water. VanDerwerker’s research considered an alternative water source for homes that have contaminated well water. Robbins’ project analyzes how PFAS leaks from landfills into surrounding…

A screenshot showing a cartoon animation of two students talking. Off to the right side, large text states, "What makes water renewable, and how can we keep it that way?"

Aug 7, 2023

“Keeping Water Renewable” Lesson Plan Receives National Award

This year’s APEX Awards for Publication Excellence have honored Keeping Water Renewable: 5E Lesson, a free, standards-aligned lesson on renewable water for middle and high school students. The interactive blended lesson provides a thorough explanation of the water cycle, including how climate change and human interference affect water quality and availability and contains enough material for 10 to 12 class periods. The lesson was developed by PBS NC, in partnership with NC Water Resources Research Institute, North Carolina Sea Grant, and the NC Department of Environmental Quality. It is available on the PBS NC website.

May 24, 2023

2021 Projects

WRRI-supported researchers explore a wide range of topics in water resources, from emerging contaminants and drinking water quality, to stormwater infrastructure, to environmental justice issues, community engagement, and much more. Read on to learn about funded projects for 2021. Faculty Projects Novel Mass Spectrometry Approaches for the Identification of Pesticides and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances…

May 17, 2023

2022 Projects

WRRI-supported researchers explore a wide range of topics in water resources, from emerging contaminants, to flooding, to stormwater management, community engagement, and more. Read on to learn about funded projects for 2022. If searching for Faculty projects, visit the 2021 Projects page. Graduate Projects Advancing Understanding of Flood Water Quality Distributions and Drivers through Statistical…

May 3, 2023

NC WRRI Releases New Strategic Plan, Highlights Research and Engagement Initiatives

The North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute recently released a new strategic plan to guide the program’s investments toward effective responses to the state’s immediate and long-term needs in water resources management. The updated plan is available on the NC WRRI website, along with a document highlighting research and engagement initiatives. “This plan represents input…

Apr 11, 2023

New NC WRRI Fellows to Consider Pressing Issues in Water, Engage Local Communities

Six graduate students across North Carolina recently began new fellowship projects. Four of these are funded by the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute (NC WRRI), and the Urban Water Consortium and Stormwater Consortium, facilitated through NC WRRI, are each funding one project. Topics range from PFAS contamination in well water and streams, to green…

Feb 20, 2023

NC Water Future Discussion Will Open NC WRRI Conference

UPDATE March 21, 2023: Sec. Elizabeth Biser is no longer available for the panel on Wednesday, March 22. Richard Rogers will be speaking on behalf of the NC Division of Water Resources. When North Carolina’s Water Resources Research Institute hosts its 25th NC WRRI Annual Conference on March 22 and 23, the opening panel will look ahead for…

The Greensboro Science Center’s on-site aquaculture facility showcases some of the the state’s freshwater mussels.

Jan 6, 2023

Community Collaborations Research Grant Now Accepting Proposals

North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute is accepting Community Collaborative Research Grant program proposals now through Jan. 17, 2023.