About the Water Institute

The PNW Water Institute is a multidisciplinary research hub dedicated to addressing complex challenges in water and environmental engineering.

Led by faculty with expertise spanning civil, environmental, chemical and computational disciplines, the Institute fosters collaboration among researchers, students, utilities, government agencies and industry partners.

Our work spans laboratory-scale experimentation, pilot-scale system development, data-driven modeling and field-relevant analysis. The Institute is actively involved in externally funded research supported by agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as in international research collaborations and student training programs.

In addition to research, the Water Institute is committed to workforce development, student mentorship and public engagement. We provide hands-on research opportunities, interdisciplinary training and professional development experiences that prepare students to address emerging challenges in water sustainability, environmental protection and infrastructure resilience.

Our Mission

The Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Water Institute advances innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to address critical challenges at the water–energy–food nexus. Our mission is to develop sustainable technologies, data-driven strategies and resilient infrastructure that improve water quality, recover valuable resources and enhance system reliability in the face of growing environmental, energy and climate pressures.

Through integrated research, education and outreach, the Water Institute bridges fundamental science with real-world applications to support utilities, communities and industry partners at local, national and global scales. We emphasize translational research—moving ideas from bench-scale experimentation to scalable, practical solutions—while preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to lead in sustainable water and environmental systems.