Grantee Research Project Results
Texas Tech University Center for Water Law and Policy
EPA Grant Number: EM833085Title: Texas Tech University Center for Water Law and Policy
Investigators: Eckstein, Gabriel , Anderson, Todd A. , Morse, Audra N. , Jeffery, William
Current Investigators: Eckstein, Gabriel , Anderson, Todd A. , Jeffery, William , Morse, Audra N.
Institution: Towson University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Project Period: June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2010 (Extended to May 31, 2011)
Project Amount: $432,300
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2007) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Targeted Research
Description:
Micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and other personal care products that pose a danger to human health and the environment have been identified in the environment for several decades. The fates and persistence of these compounds, however, are not well known. If these micropollutants persist in the aquatic environment including groundwater, surface water, and wastewater treatment plant effluent, the choice of municipal water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reuse alternatives, as well as treatment processes, may need to be reconsidered.
Objective:
This study will undertake three distinct but interdependent projects. Project 1: development of a Clearinghouse containing relevant studies and background material; Project 2: conducting a field study to improve understanding into the fates and presence of mixtures of micropollutants in the environment; and Project 3: analyzing alternative legal and regulatory strategies for addressing the presence and effects of micropollutants in water systems.
Approach:
Project 1: researchers will collect and make available a variety of materials and data about water quality issues relevant to the fate and persistence of micropollutants in the environment that will serve as a background for legal and policy-related analysis; Project 2: researchers will evaluate the presence of micropollutants at field scale at a location in Lubbock, TX to determine their long-term persistence in the environment; Project 3: information obtained from multiple sources, including the results of Projects 1 and 2, will be utilized to develop alternative legal and policy responses related to the presence and management of micropollutants in the environment.
Expected Results:
1) Development of a publically accessible database containing relevant studies and background material on about water quality issues relevant to the fate and persistence of micropollutants in the environment; 2) Development of a publishable scientific paper detailing the processes and results of the field study; and 3) development of a publishable policy paper that evaluates alternative legal and policy responses related to the presence and management of micropollutants in the environment, draws conclusions and offers recommendations for such responses, and that uses the results of the field study as a case study.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 9 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 6 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
biodegradation, partitioning of solids, water quality, drinking water source, regulatory water issues, ecological effects, innovative technology, environmental assets,Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.