Skip to main content
  • UC Berkeley
  • College of Letters & Science
Berkeley University of California

URAP

Project Descriptions
Spring 2025

URAP Home Project Listings Application Contact

Microbial Impacts of Transitioning to Direct Potable Reuse Water Systems

Kara Nelson, Professor  
Civil and Environmental Engineering  

Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.

Direct potable reuse is a form of wastewater reuse where advanced-treated wastewater is introduced directly to the drinking water distribution system. Bench-scale reactors will be used to simulate drinking water distribution system pipes before and during the transition to direct potable reuse conditions. Microbial water quality parameters will be analyzed to determine microbial impacts during the short time span after transitioning pipes to advanced treated wastewater.

Role: The undergraduate researcher will assist with monitoring water quality in the bench-scale reactors. Student should be able to maintain a regular schedule in the laboratory.

Qualifications: The undergraduate researcher should be interested in water quality and be excited to learn new techniques. A background in environmental engineering, chemistry, or microbiology is a plus.

Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Alma Bartholow, Graduate Student

Hours: 9-11 hrs

Off-Campus Research Site: Most aspects of the work will be on campus.

Related website: https://ce.berkeley.edu/people/faculty/nelson/research

 Engineering, Design & Technologies   Biological & Health Sciences

Return to Project List

Office of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies, Undergraduate Division
College of Letters & Science, University of California, Berkeley
Accessibility   Nondiscrimination   Privacy Policy