Natural and constructed wetlands are being used to remove contaminants from municipal wastewater and container nursery runoff to determine the best methods for removal. Center researchers are also involved in innovative treatment processes including advanced oxidation for the treatment of water and wastewater. Currently, researchers are looking for ways to control the formation of disinfection by-products that form when water disinfectants react with organic matter. Potentially cancer-causing chemicals from nursery or industry runoff can be analyzed through their fate and transport through the soil. Center researchers are studying these characteristics to limit the effects of the chemicals on aquatic and human life and develop best management practices for nonpoint source pollution control.

(To view pdf files, you will need Adobe Acrobat software for Macintosh, Windows or Linux. This software is available free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.) The following are projects related to water and wastewater treatment that were activated (or ongoing) in the 2006-2007 fiscal year. For descriptions of specific projects, click on those with links. Determination of a Water Quality Marker Reflecting System Effectiveness of the Sewanee Utility Districts Land Application System (pdf file) D.B. George and M.J.M. Wells Funding by: Sewanee Utility District Franke Co. Innovative Food Processing Exhaust Emission Treatment System-Research Program (pdf file) D.B. George, M.J.M. Wells and G.T. Cunningham Funding by: Franke, Incorporated Water Quality Study Iron Leachate and Treatment (pdf file) D.P. Dodson Funding by: City of Crossville