Research
Natural Water Infrastructure Systems
Thrust Leader: Alexandria Boehm, Stanford University
Thrust Co-leader: Christopher Higgins, Colorado School of Mines
Natural systems like wetlands and streams are already being used as part of water management strategies. In the N Thrust, we apply rigorous engineering principles to natural systems so they can be more effectively employed in urban water infrastructure. Researchers study and quantify how wetlands and streams improve water quality, ecosystem health, and urban aesthetics; investigate subsurface water storage in urban areas; explore how natural barriers work to purify wastewater effluent; and develop techniques to harvest urban stormwater runoff for groundwater aquifer recharge.
N Thrust Research Themes
N1 – Unit process wetlands and riparian zones
N2 – Smart managed aquifer recharge technologies (SMART)
N3 – Distributed stormwater treatment unit processes
