Mission

The mission of the UWRC is to promote excellence in urban water research, education and outreach at the University of California, Irvine. The UWRC facilitates research in basic and applied sciences, engineering, and social sciences to create new knowledge, inform policymakers, and educate the public in order to foster urban water sustainability in Orange County, California, the United States, and beyond.

Overview

The UWRC promotes a comprehensive and trans-disciplinary approach to water quality and quantity management in an urban environment with a diverse, rapidly growing population. The UWRC serves utilities and policy makers through scientific research, providing resources for long-term planning, training the next generation of water resource professionals. The UWRC also serves the broader community by enhancing the efficient use of water resources, promoting public health, and fostering environmental quality.

Over 80 faculty members from multiple departments pursue research that addresses water supply; global climate change impacts on water resources and water quality planning; ecosystem health and especially wetlands; water demand using economic tools; wastewater treatment and reuse; and institutional, legal, and public policy issues related to urban water management.

The UWRC assists UCI researchers by promoting innovative research via seed funding and matching funds. The Center provides a forum for communication between researchers across the University and between UCI faculty and regional water utilities and professionals.