EPA’s Vision for the CenterThis “National Center”, focusing on the needs of small systems that make up 92% of all systems, will:- Conduct research- develop and demonstrate innovative and

sustainable technologies- advance the state-of-the-art nationally and

internationally- leverage modern data and information systems- foster interaction among technology

developers, end-users, and other stakeholders- provide education, training and technical

assistance- collaborate with local, regional (multi-state),

and national water technology innovation efforts

WINSSS Center ApproachThe WINSSS Center will span the continuum of technology development from idea inception through technology acceptance to expedite implementation of new practice-oriented knowledge designed to enable small water systems to produce safe drinking water and operate in the most sustainable manner possible.

WINSSS is a recently funded National Center for Small Systems Innovation being developed under the USEPA Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Program, Assistance Agreement No. RD-83560201-0 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed here are solely those of the authors, and EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.

An EPA National Center for Innovation in Small Drinking Water Systems at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Center Leadership/ Key Personnel

• Univ. of Massachusetts, AmherstDave Reckhow – PI, Center Dir.John TobiasonCaitlyn ButlerChul ParkPrashant Shenoy

• Univ. of Texas, AustinDesmond LawlerLynn KatzMary Jo KirisitsKerry KinneyJerry SpeitelNavid Saleh

• Univ. of NebraskaBruce DvorakChittaranjan RayRebecca Lai

• Univ. of IllinoisSteve Wilson

• Univ. of FloridaTreavor Boyer

• Univ. of Southern FloridaQiong Zhang

• Carollo EngineersJess Brown

WINSSS: Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems

Program B: Non-Treatment Innovations (3 projects)- Developing a standardized approach for state

acceptance of innovative technologies for small systems

- A simplified data entry system for asset management built off existing software

- A distributed sensing and monitoring system: application to SWTR compliance and point of us devices

Program A: Mature Technologies (7 projects)- Implementing ferrate treatment of drinking

water in the US- Simultaneous removal of inorganic

contaminants, DBP precursors, and particles in alum and ferric coagulation

- Contaminant reduction, life cycle impacts, and life cycle costs of ion exchange treatment and regeneration

- Natural filtration impacts on post disinfection water quality in small systems

- Intermittent treatment plant operation: understanding and minimization of detrimental impacts

- Coagulant selection and dosing control for particle and NOM removal: guidance for small systems and demonstration

- Effect of climate change on water treatment practice in small systems

Program C: Physico-Chemical Technologies (3 projects) - Electro dialysis coupled RO and NF membranes- Peroxide oxidative coupling linked with a super-

hydrophilic hollow-fiber membrane system- Hollow fiber membrane air stripping

Project D: New Biological Technologies (3 projects)- Nitrification- Denitrification- Biological treatment and nitrogenous DBPs

Scope & ObjectivesThis program, funded by EPA to 6/30/17, will:

- Focus on near-term technologies that are ready for piloting and demonstration within the next 5 years.

- Focus on technologies with realistic potential to support small systems nationwide

- Develop a regional model for accelerating technology acceptance & reducing adoption risk

- Serve as a national clearinghouse for early stage innovations

- Provide direct access to innovators and experts- Coordinate activities with the New England

Water Innovation Network (NEWIN), which is the Massachusetts Water Cluster

WINSSS and NEWINThe New England states will serve as a test bed to create a committee focused on developing common standards for technology acceptance. This effort will be facilitated through the Massachusetts Water Cluster’s New England Water Innovation Network (NEWIN) initiative and WINSSS. A mobile piloting trailer, funded with matching funds from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, will be utilized by the Center for testing technologies at small systems. In addition, it will be available as a piloting facility for the NEWIN initiative for use by private companies, water utilities, university groups, and consultants for testing new technologies.

Advisory GroupsA Center Advisory Board (CAB) will be established to advise the Center on policy, management, and outreach aspects to provide external guidance to direct the overall goals of the Center. The CAB will consist of 7-10 members from a wide range of stakeholders, including state agencies, EPA, Water Clusters, Small systems, and related stakeholder associations. The Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) will be created to review and evaluate the research being conducted by the Center. Their guidance will inform the Center’s funding decisions and help keep small system and other stakeholder needs a priority. The SAC will be made up of 5-7 experts in technical fields related to small water systems.

Entrepreneurs’ Sounding BoardScientific and business entrepreneurs who do not specifically focus on the potable water market may benefit from an advisory “sounding board”. It will provide these business leaders with an opportunity to share ideas about new technologies that have potential application to small systems, but do not know the opportunities and constraints (e.g., regulatory, operations, fiscal). This voluntary group will provide an avenue for bringing new businesses into the small systems market, and provide guidance on how a business might move forward with their idea or innovation.