Institute for Clean Water

By better understanding the contributing factors of water quality from a scientific and socioeconomic standpoint across the state of South Carolina, we seek to help residents and visitors at the state, county and individual level solve current and emerging challenges to sustained sources of clean water.

Collaborative Research on Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Health

With our partners, we will apply cutting-edge technologies to characterize biological and chemical contaminants in South Carolina lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastal oceans. We will compare scientific measures of water quality to public perception of clean water, and how these perceptions influence behavior.

Our work will focus on 4 major interdisciplinary themes:

Effects of contaminants on aquatic ecosystem health
Development of new technologies for faster and easier water sample collection and characterization
Developing visual and analytical approaches for identifying sources of contaminants
Social and behavioral responses of residents and visitors to South Carolina as related to their perceptions of clean water

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The Institute's Mission

The mission of the Institute for Clean Water is to research the scientific and socioeconomic aspects of water quality and use our findings to help solve current and emerging challenges to sustained sources of clean water. Our research efforts target water for consumption (drinking water) and for recreational use (boating, fishing and swimming).

Research Areas

The institute's interdisciplinary, collaborative working groups will produce an integrated view of the new ways that water quality can be sampled and understood.

South Carolina Impact

This research will have a positive on the understanding of water quality and new ways to manage risks to ecosystems across South Carolina. While this is a state-wide research focus, certain areas of public interest will benefit greatly from this institute's work.

Specific Benefits of the Research

Increased Awareness of Water Quality Issues
Wildlife and Aquatic Ecosystems
Tourism and Economic Development
Environmental Awareness

A Priority for the University of South Carolina

This institute is part of the university's Research Institutes Funding Program, an undertaking for top researchers in their fields across disciplines and focus areas to consciously and intentionally collaborate to uncover new approaches, breakthroughs, and real-world results in their areas of research.

These projects truly represent what a flagship research university does best: bring together experts from multiple disciplines to take on some of the biggest scientific and societal challenges of our time.

USC President Michael Amiridis

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Funding Acknowledgment

Funding for this interdisciplinary research institute was generously provided by the USC Office of the President and Office of the Vice President for Research.

More About the Research Institutes Funding Program

Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystem Health Research

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.