There are many centers, institutes, and consortia located on and off the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus that assist in water research. These include the Erosion Control Research and Training Center which studies erosion processes, and state initiatives like the Illinois State Geological Survey. Water research at UIUC also includes focused areas of study like precipitation processes in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. UIUC researchers were involved in $45 million of funded water projects in 2015.

1. WATER
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CENTERS, INSTITUTES, AND CONSORTIA
There are many places identified with the University and assist
in the development of water research. The majority are located
on campus while others are located in different parts of Illinois
or based nationally. At Illinois, Agricultural and Biological
Engineering established an Erosion Control Research
and Training Center which is located on the university’s
South Farms. The research facility will be used to study
the processes of erosion and test how different vegetation,
commercial products, and other erosion control methods can
reduce the degradation of soils and soil structures caused
by storm waters and other weather-related factors. Together
these centers play a key role in assisting water research by
leading and funding various projects on campus.
STATE AND NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Besides campus water research and projects, there are
overarching initiatives that come from the state of Illinois and
the nation. For instance, the Illinois State Geological Survey
(ISGS) is located in the Natural Resources Building to serve
the needs of Illinois with earth science information relevant to
the State’s environmental quality, economic vitality, and public
safety.
FOCUSED RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Water research affects several aspects of life including
economics, the environment, and many areas of science such
as engineering. As a result, there are multiple researchers
that are devoted to learning about water issues in our society.
Precipitation and Hydrometeorological Processes is a focused
research area in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences.
Students confront the grand research challenge to improve
the understanding of precipitation and hydrometeorological
processes so we can improve the prediction of weather and
climate.
corporaterelations.illinois.edu
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT
Many water researchers, initiatives, and centers are associated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In
Fiscal Year 2015, Illinois researchers were involved in about $45 million in funded water research projects. From state
and national initiatives to more specialized research from a variety of departments on campus, water quality, safety, and
sustainability are important to the University. As a result, visible water initiatives take place on campus in order to find
better solutions when using and caring for water resources.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a pre-eminent public research university with a land-grant mission that pioneers
innovative research that tackles global problems. The University offers transformative learning experiences in and out of the classroom
designed to produce alumni who desire to make a significant societal impact. Below is just a sampling of what the University has to
offer.

2. CENTERS, INSTITUTES, AND CONSORTIA
The Center of Advanced Materials for Purification of Water
with Systems (WaterCAMPWS) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucwatercampws
For over ten years, the WaterCAMPWS has been a world leader
in the water purification sciences with research collaborations
in the United States and international partnerships in over 20
countries. WaterCAMPWS’ desired legacy is to make substantive
advancements in creating advanced materials and systems for
water purification. The goal is to attract government, foundation,
and industrial support to implement advanced materials, systems,
and methodologies that purify water, so that the U.S. governmental
bodies and citizens have the abilities to tackle the impending crisis
in clean water. The WaterCAMPWS seeks to transfer knowledge
gained to create a high degree of public awareness to spur
initiatives to change the course of water purification globally.
Illinois Water Resources Center (IWRC) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiuciwrc
The University of Illinois along with the Prairie Institute are key
partners of the IWRC - an organization which believes in bringing
watershed science to the people of Illinois. The collaborative efforts
of the IWRC were recognized when they received the 2016 Team
Award for Excellence from the UIUC College of ACES. IWRC
focuses on six key initiatives - nutrient loss reduction, professional
engagement, their Illinois Water Conference, a web portal for water
operators, private well classes and production of a series on their
latest research.
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucisee
A major focus of the iSEE is Water at Illinois – a comprehensive
look at water-related research conducted across campus. In
Fiscal Year 2015, researchers were involved in about $45 million
in funded water research projects on the Illinois campus. Based
on these projects, ISEE’s areas of excellence in water research
are integrated across four main categories: adapting, water-food-
energy, public health, and resilience. In addition to this, in 2014-
2015, The Water Council was established to help coordinate efforts
in water research across campus.
The National Great Rivers Research & Education Center
(NGRREC) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucngrrec
NGRREC is dedicated to the study of great river systems and
the communities that use them. The center aspires to be a leader
in scholarly research, education, and outreach related to the
interconnectedness of large rivers, their floodplains, watersheds,
and their associated communities.
STATE AND NATIONAL INITIATIVES
Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucinhs
The INHS, which is a part of the Prairie Research Institute at the
University of Illinois, has studied the natural world since 1858.
With over 200 scientists and technicians, INHS is recognized as
the premier state biological survey in the nation. Each day, INHS
delivers information to federal, state, and municipal agencies to shape
decisions affecting farmers, developers, foresters and fish and wildlife
managers. Their current water-focused research is in investigating
and monitoring wetlands.
Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucisws
The ISWS, which is a part of the Prairie Research Institute at the
University of Illinois, has been a leader in the study of water resources
for more than a century. It provides expertise in seven critical research
areas, and one of their current projects is focused on reducing water
treatment costs. Scientists with the ISWS act as technical advisors to
over 100 public water treatment facilities. The program has reduced
costs by minimizing waste due to ineffective industrial and potable
water treatment systems.
FOCUSED RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Energy-Water-Environment Sustainability Program -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucewe
In the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, it is home
to cutting-edge research, and several of their high-profile research is
focused on water. There are 13 faculty members associated with the
Energy-Water-Environment Sustainability Program which depends
on their leadership to conduct research. Although this research is led
by the faculty, all of these initiatives depend on faculty members in all
areas of study, including, but not limited to, Mechanical Engineering
and ACES.
Environmental and Resource Economics (ERE) -
http://go.illinois.edu/uiucere
ERE in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics
(ACE) yields knowledge about issues such as how to manage water
resources, design conservation strategies, and develop biofuel
policies that improve society and the environment. Research and
outreach in this area also contributes to a fundamental understanding
about how to value ecosystem services and design pollution policies.
Faculty and students in ERE publish cutting-edge research and bring
the results to bear on collaborations with stakeholders and policy
makers in the state of Illinois and nationwide.
For a comprehensive list of programs please contact the Office of
Corporate Relations at corporaterelations@illinois.edu
WATER HIGHLIGHTS