The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $650,000 Project Grant under the NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084) to the University of South Florida (USF) to develop innovative decentralized wastewater management technologies and strategies for U.S. Pacific islands.
The project, titled "Towards Resilient, Equitable, Safe and Sustainable Water for Islands (RESSI-H2O)", assembles a multi-disciplinary team from USF, the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, Michigan State University, and Swiftwater Solutions, LLC. The team will create a proof-of-concept, island-appropriate decentralized wastewater infrastructure system and an initial framework for a RESSI-H2O decentralized wastewater rating system. The project aims to address the unique wastewater challenges faced by U.S. Pacific islands, such as the widespread use of ineffective cesspools, by developing novel technologies and implementation strategies that are resilient, equitable, safe, and sustainable. The award period is from January 15, 2024 to December 31, 2024, and includes sub-awards to the University of Hawai'i, Swiftwater Solutions, LLC, and Wai.org Inc.