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.

Our Mission

Water TAP conducts data-driven research and cutting-edge innovation to develop market-level solutions for water reuse, resource recovery, and nature-based solutions, from the building to regional scale. By engaging public, private, and academic partners in a collaborative testbed environment, Water TAP accelerates real-world solutions in fit-for-purpose water use and community resilience.

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 controlled access to diverse, real-world water sources that reflect the full spectrum of urban, industrial, and natural systems. Each source is independently plumbed and monitored, allowing partners to evaluate treatment performance, monitoring technologies, and reuse applications under realistic operating conditions.

Stormwater
Graywater
Rainwater (roof runoff)
Raw surface water
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.

Core Pillars

Water TAP’s mission is carried out through four interconnected pillars that define our role as a neutral, public-facing testbed. Together, these pillars ensure that innovation at Water TAP is not only technical, but also supported by training, workforce pathways, and a collaborative community that accelerates sustainable water solutions and advances our practice to progress the field of water reuse.

Technological Innovation

We advance fit-for-purpose water, monitoring, and treatment technologies through data-driven research, validation, and pathways to market-ready solutions.

Training & Technical Assistance

We provide applied expertise, guidance, and demonstration support to help partners deploy effective solutions with confidence.

Workforce Development

We connect industry and utilities with next-generation talent through CSU student engagement, professional training, and tailored career pathways.

Community of Practice

We foster a cross-sector professional network where public, private, and academic partners combine expertise to drive collective impact.

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

Water TAP Memberships

Join a growing network of innovators advancing the future of water. Water TAP memberships connect you with exclusive access to our CSU Spur facilities, expert consulting, student talent pipelines, and high-visibility engagement opportunities. Explore the tier that best fits your organization and start shaping the next wave of water innovation

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
Judah Gaioni, Stormwater Engineer for One Water Solutions Institute and Colorado Stormwater Center