Purpose

To test the performance of ultrafiltration technology on diverse alternative water sources—including stormwater, graywater, rainwater, and industrial flows—while advancing AI and machine learning models for autonomous system control and optimized fit-for-purpose water reuse

Description

Developed by researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology, the Minus ultrafiltration (UF) membrane pilot system is housed inside a 20-foot container at Water TAP. Originally designed to produce potable water from spent filter backwash at drinking water plants, the system is now being tested using urban stormwater collected onsite. The pilot features five hollow-fiber membrane modules, automated control systems, and real-time monitoring equipment, all integrated with programmable logic controllers and online data access. Future testing will expand to include a variety of alternative water sources available at Water TAP—including graywater, rainwater, and industrial sources—allowing researchers to evaluate performance across a range of real-world conditions.

Impact

This project advances sustainable water reuse by exploring how membrane treatment can reliably purify diverse water sources with minimal energy or chemical input. AI-assisted control models aim to improve system performance while supporting future applications like irrigation, green infrastructure, and even edible crop production.

Partners

This collaborative pilot bridges academic innovation and field deployment:

• Georgia Institute of Technology – Dr. Yongsheng Chen and Dr. Thomas Igou
• Colorado State University One Water Solutions Institute – Dr. Sybil Sharvelle