Congressman Lauds Mines New Water Tech Center

GOLDEN, Colo., Aug. 30, 2007 – Colorado School of Mines will play a role in addressing global water supply issues through advanced research at a new water technology center on campus.

AQWATEC, the Advanced Water Technology Center, officially opened on campus during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Aug. 29.

“Water quality and research is vital to the country and especially here in the West. I am proud to have such a world class school and water research facility here in the 7th Congressional District,” stated Congressman Ed Perlmutter during the opening festivities.

The new center will provide research opportunities for Mines students in Environmental Science and Engineering, Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering as well as other Engineering programs. AQWATEC serves as a cornerstone supporting the campus research focus areas of environment and energy.

“AQWATEC will combine state-of-the-art infrastructure, faculty members from various departments and a wide network of industry supporters to develop solutions for the pressing water and energy problems we are facing – nationally and globally,” said Mines President M.W. “Bill” Scoggins.

Mines Associate Professor Jorg Drewes is the center's director and Assistant Professor Tzahi Cath is associate director.

AQWATEC faculty sustain a research funding base of more than $4.5 million through active grants and contracts from the AwwaRF, Water Environment Research Foundation, WateReuse Foundation, National Science Foundation, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and private industry.

For more information, go to www.aqwatec.com.