The University of New Mexico received a $383,116 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. This award supports research investigating the long-term ecological impacts of treated wastewater discharge on the Rio Grande River near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The primary deliverables include comprehensive scientific analysis quantifying atmospheric, hydrological, biogeochemical, and biological variables across five strategically positioned study sites using semi-continuous monitoring. The research will assess stream metabolism, ecosystem resilience, and ecological sustainability in arid river systems chronically exposed to treated effluent, comparing upstream sites with natural flow regimes to downstream sites receiving substantial wastewater treatment plant discharge.
In addition to its research outputs, this project delivers educational and workforce development products by training future scientists and engineers in collecting and analyzing large ecological data sets. The research addresses a critical national priority related to water resource management and environmental sustainability in arid regions where communities increasingly rely on treated wastewater to maintain river flows and ecosystem health as traditional water sources become less reliable.