Water Quality & Security

Access to clean water is limited in many parts of the world. On top of economic and political challenges, climate change threatens to make it even more difficult for humans and other species to get enough water. Our water quality and security programs are dedicated to uniting experts from around the world and across diverse fields to identify and address water management, quality and insecurity.

We are focusing on current and future challenges. Our Nile Talk Forums address technical and geopolitical aspects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a developing case study in international water management. Our UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security coordinates universities and nongovernmental organizations to promote global water security and sustainability. And our water quality experts conduct esential work to keep our waters clean and potable. We work across local waterways, like Biscayne Bay, as well as around the world in rivers spanning the Amazonian Basin and West Africa. With extensive expertise in biogeochemical cycling and hydrogeology, we also inform water managers and decision makers about effective water management strategies, including for America's Everglades.

Students, Volunteers and Community Members: Get Involved 

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  Nile Talk Forums

  We bring together experts in Nile and other transboundary river issues of the world to discuss experiences in diffusing tensions, sharing the common good, building trust and developing collaboration and cooperation.

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  Urban Water Innovation Network

  The United States is one of the most urbanized nations in the world with more than 80% of the population residing in cities. Our scientists are working toward developing solutions for greater sustainability for our national urban water systems.

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  PFAS Toxicity Study

  Our researchers are studying Poly- and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) in an effort to better understand their effects on water quality. We strive to identify the impacts that these substances have on the health of ecosystems and people.

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  CREST Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment

  Our CREST Center for Aquatic Chemistry and Environment focuses on the detection, transport and impacts of environmental contamination. Our researchers are identifying water quality concerns in local south Florida waterways in an effort to restore these areas and better respond to potential water quality threats.

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  Sea Level Solutions Center

  Our Sea Level Solutions Center focuses on responding to continuing sea level and other climate change-related threats. Our scientists work to guide and adapt the South Florida community to be economically-viable, equitable, healthy and sustainable.

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  UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security

  Our UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Water Security is charged with bringing together research and education to address regional, national and global water security issues, through innovative interdisciplinary research and partnerships for sustainability.

Research Groups

Faculty-led research groups sustain our discoveries and impacts.

• Briceno Lab for Water Quality Monitoring
• Gardinali Lab for Environmental Analysis Research
• Kominoski Lab for Ecosystem Ecology
• Price Lab for Hydrogeology

All Research Groups