Center of Innovation

Water Technology

Accelerator Platform
(Water TAP)

The first of its kind, this groundbreaking facility is a powerhouse for innovation – pushing the limits of water treatment by testing cutting-edge technologies across diverse real-world water sources to identify the most effective ways to clean and reuse water.

Overview

The Water Technology Acceleration Platform (Water TAP) at CSU Spur is the first facility of its kind—a hub for testing and accelerating next-generation water treatment technologies using real-world water sources.

This state-of-the-art, 1,850 square-foot lab supports applied research, system piloting, and performance validation, bridging the gap from innovation to commercialization.

Water TAP provides a plug-and-play environment for researchers, startups, and industry partners to refine, test, and scale solutions that advance water reuse, smart infrastructure, and climate resilience.

Water Sources and Capacities

Water TAP provides access to diverse, real-world water sources at flow rates approaching 1,000 gallons per day, enabling realistic and scalable experimentation:

  • Urban stormwater from a 28.5-acre mixed-use catchment with a legacy of industrial pollution
  • Graywater from sinks and showers in the Hydro building locker rooms
  • Rainwater collected directly from the Hydro building rooftop
  • Raw surface water can be drawn from the adjacent South Platte River
  • Additional storage for off-site or experimental sources, including a 10,000-gallon tank for produced water, treated wastewater, agricultural runoff or industrial flows

The facility includes an indoor high-bay testing area and outdoor pilot plots for green infrastructure and bioretention systems, enabling flexible, hands-on evaluation of treatment performance under variable conditions.

Our Mission
Water TAP catalyzes the transformation of the water sector by co-creating solutions that enable safe, efficient, and resilient water reuse. Through data-driven research, cutting-edge innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, we develop and deploy practical, real-world solutions for conservation, resource recovery, and global water security.

Fit-for-Purpose Water Use

Water is one of our most precious resources, yet traditional one-size-fits-all approaches to water management often lead to unnecessary waste. Fit-for-purpose water reuse is a smarter, more sustainable solution—one that matches water quality to its intended use, optimizing every drop. Why use drinking-quality water for irrigation, industrial cooling, or toilet flushing when treated recycled water can do the job just as well?
The Water TAP pioneers fit-for-purpose water treatment, matching water quality to its specific use. Whether for irrigation, industrial processes, or urban applications, our research pushes the boundaries of next-generation treatment and monitoring technologies to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective reuse.

Featured Research

Current Projects

At the Water TAP Lab, we're redefining water sustainability with cutting-edge research in onsite water reuse, stormwater capture, and nature-based solutions that work with—not against—our environment. From building-scale treatment systems to AI-driven sensing and autonomous control, we’re designing smarter ways to recycle and manage water where it’s needed most. Whether it’s through green roofs that absorb rainfall or advanced purification systems, our mission is clear: to create resilient, efficient, and sustainable water solutions for the future.

Roof Runoff

Nature-based Solutions

Bioretention Plots

Ultrafiltration Membrane

eco-WEIR™ Demonstration

Green Roofs

Backyard: Living Laboratory

In the News

Stormwater & Green Roof Research

Civil engineer and horticulturist join forces for stormwater and green roof research at CSU Spur’s Hydro Backyard

Water, Waste, and Reuse

How can we take various forms of wastewater and treat it to make it safe for human and agricultural consumption?

Residential Graywater Reuse

Want to recycle your own water at home? A new proposal could make that easier in Colorado

Minus Water Treatment System

How do you sustainably filter stormwater to irrigate crops? CSU Spur Water TAP lab aims to find out

Stormwater Capture & Use Guidance

From pollutant to possibilities: the potential for using reclaimed stormwater in water systems

Streamlining Water Data Access

Technology developed by CSU One Water Solutions Institute helps corral disparate statewide water data

Project Team

The team currently leading the facility launch includes: 

  • Sybil Sharvelle, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Technical Director of Water TAP, One Water Solutions Institute
  • Mazdak Arabi, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Director of One Water Solutions Institute
  • Sarah Millonig, Associate Director for One Water Solutions Institute
  • Todd Shollenberger, Water TAP Laboratory Manager at CSU Spur
Meet Our Team