The Urban Water Research Center works to promote an in-depth understanding of urban water issues in order to assist local, state and federal agencies with efforts to promote health, enhance the efficient and fair use of water resources, and protect the environment. A partnership among several disciplines, the center pursues research that addresses topics such as water supply, demand and distribution, water quality issues for drinking and recreational use, how wetlands can reduce pollutants entering our streams and rivers from urban runoff, and how the acquisition and distribution of water and wastewater affect urban ecosystems, urban water reuse and public policy. For more information about the center, visit www.urbanwater.uci.edu.

What’s in the Water and How Did it Get There?

Oladele Ogunseitan, an environmental health, science and policy professor, and member of the Urban Water Research Center, studies biological and chemical pollutants in runoff and their effects on humans and the ecosystem. Ogunseitan and colleague Raul Lejano are finding ways to help cities make the most effective use of storm-drain filters based on land-use and local policy. He also studies pharmaceutical compounds’ impact on wildlife, and he has explored how pesticides affect human health. With a National Science Foundation grant, Ogunseitan is researching environmental and health dangers posed by discarded electronics such as cell phones. Ogunseitan can be reached at 949-824-6350 or oaogunse@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Soroosh Sorooshian, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth System Science, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He focuses on surface hydrology, primarily in the area of rainfall-runoff modeling and the development and application of advanced rainfall measurement tools from Earth-observing satellites. Sorooshian’s research group, the Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing, is working on several projects funded by NASA and other groups. Researchers at the center use remote sensing data and seasonal climate forecasts to improve water resource management in the western United States. Researchers also use satellite observations to provide timely estimates of rainfall throughout the world. Sorooshian serves on several advisory boards that address problems related to climate and water resources issues. Sorooshian can be reached at 949-824-8825 or soroosh@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Stanley Grant, a professor of chemical engineering and materials science, studies microorganisms in drinking water, urban runoff and the coastal ocean. Grant has studied fecal pollution in the Southern California surf, and he is the lead researcher on several multi-agency projects, including one on microorganisms in storm runoff water. His research has shown how runoff from urban rivers and coastal wetlands is a significant source of coastal water pollution. Grant can be reached at 949-824-8277 or sbgrant@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Mudslides, Land Slides and Flash Floods

Jay Famiglietti is an associate professor of Earth system science and civil and environmental engineering. He does hydrologic and climate-system modeling for studies of how the land, ocean and atmosphere interact. Famiglietti is available to speak about mudslides, landslides and flash floods that threaten California’s infrastructure. Famiglietti leads a research group focused on the hydrologic cycle and its interactions within Earth’s climate system. The group studies how the movement of water on land effects processes in the atmosphere and oceans. Researchers use remote sensing to study soil moisture. Famiglietti can be reached through Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu.

Urban Water Research Center

Jason Mednick
949-824-5951
jmednick@uci.edu