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) is pioneering sustainable water treatment technology and smart water infrastructure. Through data-driven research, cutting-edge innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Water TAP develops real-world solutions for water conservation and efficiency, resource recovery, and climate resilience. Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of next-generation water management technologies that improve global water security.
As a state-of-the-art lab, Water TAP bridges the gap from research to commercialization, providing a “plug-and-play” space for inventors, researchers, industry, and start-up companies to test, refine, and launch cutting-edge technologies.
The Water TAP currently provides access to the following real-world water sources along with flexible storage to accommodate any new source of interest. These sources are available at flow rates near 1000 gallons per day:
- Urban stormwater
- Graywater
- Rainwater
- Raw surface water (South Platte River)
- Flexible storage capacities for additional sources of interest (e.g., industrial, agricultural, recycled wastewater)
The facility includes a large space to connect water sources to treatment systems for pilot testing and performance validation.
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.
Research Focus Areas
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.
Building-Scale Pilot Systems
Sensing & Autonomous Control
Green Roofs
Featured Activities
Civil engineer and horticulturist join forces for stormwater and green roof research at CSU Spur’s Hydro Backyard
How can we take various forms of wastewater and treat it to make it safe for human and agricultural consumption?
Want to recycle your own water at home? A new proposal could make that easier in Colorado
How do you sustainably filter stormwater to irrigate crops?
CSU Spur Water TAP lab aims to find out
From pollutant to possibilities: the potential for using reclaimed stormwater in water systems
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