NSF grant funds collaborative water-safety innovationUniversity of Illinois scientists are developing a way for households to monitor the qualit...

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NSF grant funds collaborative water-safety innovationUniversity of Illinois scientists are developing a way for households to monitor the qualit...
NSF grant funds collaborative water-safety innovation
University of Illinois scientists are developing a way for households to monitor the quality of their drinking water as part of a $5 million National Science Foundation-funded project led by Washington University in St. Louis.

The researchers are designing technology that will test tap water for contaminants collected from point-of-use water filters — such as faucet-mounted or pitcher filters.

The University of Illinois team, which includes Prairie Research Institute and Grainger College of Engineering researchers, was awarded more than $800,000 for the second phase of the project. In total, this collaborative work will develop a coordinated testing and support program for users, as well as a startup or nonprofit to provide these services nationwide.

The new service, called Trusted Tap, particularly aims to support utilities that are dealing with service lines that still contain lead and residents who rely on private wells.

First and foremost, researchers are creating the technology that will make the innovative service possible.

The research team is developing methods to analyze spent water filters to identify contaminants that were trapped on the filters during the filter’s lifespan. Contaminants that will be evaluated include lead, copper, manganese, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, microorganisms, pesticides, and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, also called PFAS or forever chemicals. All of these are linked to adverse health outcomes and can be found in the environment naturally or due to human activity.

Steven Wilson, a groundwater hydrologist and principal scientist at the Illinois State Water Survey, is working with a public health team at WashU to create educational materials about Trusted Tap to inform people about the service and empower them to protect their health. Households using Trusted Tap will learn about their drinking water quality and receive recommendations on how to address any issues.

Attached link

https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/7447/1038696276

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