The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s (EPA) Environment Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, held its Technology Collaboration and Transfer seminar on Dec. 2. The seminar was focused on water infrastructure and featured a full-day program with numerous presentations, panel discussions, an exhibition area and a networking session.
Jeff Lape, EPA?s deputy director for the Office of Science and Technology, was on hand to present ?Identifying Water Challenges and Opportunities: EPA?s Water Technology Innovation Blueprint.? The presentation covered market opportunities for water technology, including:
- Conserving and Recovering Energy
- Recovering Nutrients
- Improving and Greening of Water Infrastructure
- Conserving and Eventually Reusing Water
- Reducing Costs and Improving Techniques for Water Monitoring
- Improving Performance of Small Drinking Water Systems
- Reducing Water Impacts from Energy Production
- Improving Resiliency of Water Infrastructure to the Impacts of Climate Change
- Improving Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
- Improving Water Quality of our Oceans, Estuaries and Watersheds
The seminar also featured two panel discussions. The first covered ?The Nuts and Bolts of Working with the EPA on Technology Research and Development? while the second panel discussion focused on ?Technology Company Success Stories in R&D Collaboration with EPA.?
There were more than 20 exhibitors at the Technology Collaboration and Transfer with roughly 250 total attendees. A networking program was held at the nearby Kingsgate Marriott Center. ?
EPA?s Cincinnati facility is one of the largest federal R&D water laboratories in the county, with over 500,000 sq ft of facility space, more than 180 laboratories and about 1,050 federal and contract personnel. Research programs target health, environmental, chemical and security risks, protect America?s waters, assess human health and ecosystem exposure and analyze pollutants. Researchers work to develop marketable ideas and prototypes, and test and evaluate technologies ready for the marketplace.?