From Roof to Roots: Harnessing Rooftop Runoff for Research and Irrigation

Rainwater harvesting tank with green plants at CSU Spur Backyard.

From Roof to Roots: Harnessing Rooftop Runoff for Research and Irrigation Project Summary Capturing rainwater for testing, treatment, and sustainable reuse Purpose To demonstrate building-scale rainwater harvesting for non-potable use and evaluate treatment strategies that could enable broader commercial applications of fit-for-purpose water reuse in urban settings. Description At CSU Spur, precipitation collected from the…Read more

Smart Filtration, Naturally: eco-WEIR™ Demonstration at Water TAP

Photo of eco- WEIR technology with a smart-sensor pipe and valve combination

Smart Filtration, Naturally: eco-WEIR™ Demonstration at Water TAP Project Summary Blending nature-based solutions with smart controls for better water management Purpose To evaluate the performance of the eco-WEIR™ system as a smart, nature-based pretreatment technology for stormwater, enhancing pollutant removal and supporting environmental recharge through improved flow control and filtration. Description The eco-WEIR™ system—developed by…Read more

What’s in the Mix? Evaluating Media for Pollutant Removal in Nature-Based Water Systems

Experimental bioretention cells at CSU Spur Hydro Backyard with plants and soil media for testing stormwater quality

What’s in the Mix? Evaluating Media for Pollutant Removal in Nature-Based Water Treatment Project Summary Photo Gallery Building better biofilters by testing how engineered media perform in real-world systems to improve the reliability of nature-based water treatment Purpose To evaluate the long-term performance of natural and engineered media used in nature-based systems, focusing on their…Read more

Minus Ultrafiltration Membrane Pilot System

Researchers standing in front of pilot scale Minus water treatment system with ultrafiltration membranes at CSU Spur Hydro Water TAP.

Ultrafiltration Meets Innovation: Piloting the Minus System at Water TAP Project Summary Optimizing membrane performance with AI-driven controls 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…Read more

Urban Stormwater Research Takes Root: Bioretention Experimental Test Plots

Experimental bioretention cells at CSU Spur Hydro Backyard with plants and soil media for testing stormwater quality

Urban Stormwater Research Takes Root at CSU Spur: Water TAP’s Bioretention Pilot Project Project Summary Photo Gallery A real-world experiment in Denver is helping shape greener, cleaner stormwater solutions for Colorado communities Purpose To evaluate the performance of urban bioretention systems using real stormwater runoff, with the goal of optimizing green infrastructure design for Colorado’s…Read more