Facilities

This research facility, called AWBERC, is internationally recognized for its water research and has become a leader in areas of bioremediation and pollution prevention. NRMRL uses the AWBERC facility for drinking water, water quality, land remediation, pollution control, and sustainability research. So that EPA's buildings and practices reflect its mission, AWBERC has implemented environmental (“greening”) features such as using more energy efficient equipment, eliminating the need to use once-through city water, and enhancing its recycling program to include five different grades of paper, all fluorescent lighting, all petroleum products, all toner cartridges, and more.

AWBERC Homepage
Greening AWBERC
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Built in 1979, the Test and Evaluation Facility (T&E) conducts research on new treatment technologies for water and hazardous waste. On-site chemistry labs and two water distribution system simulators allow scientists the flexibility to study drinking water contaminants, biosensors (devices that determine the concentration of substances and other parameters of biological interest), and small systems (public water systems that serve fewer than 3,300 persons). As part of EPA’s Environmental Technology Verification Program, T&E verifies water security monitoring and treatment technology testing.

This facility is available for your use. The Test and Evaluation Facility, Cincinnati, Ohio (PDF) (2 pp, 205 KB) (EPA/600/F-08/004) July 2008

T&E Facility Homepage
T&E Facility Available for Collaborative R&D
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For NRMRL, scientists at the Urban Watershed Management Branch (UWMB) in Edison, NJ, research the technical approaches to managing flow and runoff generated from rainfall in an urban setting. The research includes studies on wet-weather flow, which is the precipitation that collects harmful pollutants while it travels through city streets and other impervious drainage systems. Wet-weather flow includes storm water, sanitary sewer overflow, and combined sewer overflow. Untreated releases of wet-weather flow can harm receiving waters.

In order to carry out their research, UWMB scientists use the Urban Watershed Research Facility (UWRF), an isolated, 20-acre open space, established to develop and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of common and innovative storm water management practices. The facility includes:

• Greenhouses that allow all-season operation
• Analytical laboratories for on-site analysis of common chemical and microbial stressors
• A high-bay engineering development and support area
• Automated electronic monitoring and automatic sampling equipment
• Office space
• Storage

On-site storage tanks, mixing, and transfer and distribution equipment provide storm water collected from an adjacent, highly impervious drainage area. Outdoor facilities include pilot-scale swales, wet ponds, and wetlands to allow for controlled-condition evaluations of common control practices. Sewage can be accessed from a local treatment authority for research efforts requiring sanitary waste.

The UWRF is capable of supporting controlled-condition experiments on infrastructure conveyance and storage systems. Representative pipelines have been installed to support controlled-condition experiments on pipelines that simulate those in use at operational facilities. Five buried experimental pipelines include four 500-foot loops and one 100-foot loop. A test pit provides flexibility for changing leak rates, for backfill materials, and for control of backfill-moisture content.

This facility is available for your use. The Urban Watershed Research Facility, Edison, New Jersey (PDF) (2 pp, 211 KB) (EPA/600/F-08/005) July 2008

Urban Watershed Facility Available for Collaborative R&D
Urban Watershed Risk Management Research Overview
Greening Edison EPA
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