Center Releases Technology Assessment Report

Stony Brook University, N.Y., June 24, 2016 -- The New York State Center for Clean Water Technology at Stony Brook University today released a report detailing the state-of-the-field in onsite wastewater treatment.  Prepared by Hazen and Sawyer, a national engineering firm with headquarters in New York City, the report was commissioned by the Center as part of its strategic planning effort.

“We selected Hazen and Sawyer to perform this assessment because they assembled a tremendously talented team with wide-ranging expertise and global reach,” said Dr. Harold Walker, Center Co-director and Professor and Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University.  “We are very pleased with the comprehensiveness of the resulting report, and feel strongly that this investment has ensured we are starting with an optimal understanding of the state of research and technology within the sector,” he added.

The assessment effort evaluated existing and emerging approaches for removing nitrogen and other contaminants from onsite wastewater.  The final report includes a comprehensive literature review of existing onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) and approaches, a patent search, technology rankings based on a range of criteria, and a summary of knowledge gaps and research opportunities.

The report further provides an overview of the range of approaches currently used and contemplated for onsite wastewater treatment and separates systems into three main categories based on the major processes they employ: biological processes (soil, plant and wetland processes), source separation, and physical/chemical processes.

 “The technology assessment report is a great tool for us and for our partners working on this issue,” said Dr. Chris Gobler, Center Co-director and Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. 

The full technology assessment report is available here.

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