Skip to main content

CTF

Menu

中文

PIONEERING WATER SUSTAINABILITY:

UNLV'S INNOVATIONS TO COMBAT WATER SCARCITY

Innovative research and community-driven solutions
for a water-scarce world

UNLV is making significant strides in tackling water scarcity and advancing sustainability in arid regions. Their innovative approaches include developing technologies that can extract water directly from the atmosphere, even in dry climates like Nevada. For example, Wafer Technologies is bringing a hydrogel-based system to market that condenses moisture from the air, offering a versatile solution for homes, businesses, and disaster relief efforts. On campus, UNLV is also implementing smart water management practices such as drought-resistant landscaping and upgraded water use strategies, helping to conserve resources and promote environmental responsibility.
Beyond campus, UNLV’s projects address some of the most pressing water challenges facing rural communities. They’re working on solar-powered wastewater treatment systems that make reuse possible in areas with limited resources, alongside monitoring programs that track public health threats like disease. Additionally, a $20 million initiative explores how water conservation and solar energy can work together to create more sustainable environments. By integrating science, policy, and community engagement, UNLV is leading innovative efforts that aim to deliver real, impactful solutions for water sustainability both locally and globally.

[ WASTEWATER TREATMENT & REUSE PROJECT ]

meet the team

Eakalak Khan

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

UNLV Team Leader

Sajjad Ahmad

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

Leader on Hydrology

Haroon Sahotra

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

Leader on GIS and Remote Sensing

Erica Marti

Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department
Leader on Water Chemistry

Edwin Oh

Professor, College of Sciences

Leader on Water Microbiology

UNLV researchers are developing
sustainable solutions for

WASTEWATER
REUSE

A five-year, $450,000 project is focused on wastewater reuse through

solar-powered

treatment processes, aiming to provide low-cost technologies for non-potable and potentially potable water reuse in rural communities. 
This research also involves developing a wastewater-based surveillance program 
to monitor the spread of infectious diseases like

covid-19

“What flows through wastewater is more than what we discard. It reflects the health, habits, and resilience of our communities. By decoding these signals, we can build smarter systems for water reuse, sustainability, and public well-being.”

Edwin Oh

Haroon Sahotra

“From Colorado to the Yellow River, we traveled the land, shared knowledge, and built a lasting bridge of science and friendship across watersheds. Working with Chinese graduate students reminded me that curiosity, dedication, and respect for water know no borders, science truly becomes a shared language of understanding.”

“When you have plenty of a resource, it’s easy to take it for granted. Water is no exception. But when you don’t have enough, or the quality is poor, every day is a struggle. Everyone deserves safe and clean water, regardless of where they live or their income. This project, funded by the Cyrus Tang Foundation, will bring us one step closer to providing greater water access for communities in water scarce regions.”

Erica Marti

The Project team members (UNLV and Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University faculty and students) in
Cal-Nev-Ari, Nevada, a demonstration site for a pilot solar-powered wastewater reuse system.

eAkalak khan

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

What do you feel most passionate about working on this Project?

I am most passionate about being able to help water stressed communities and promoting sustainability in rural areas. It is all about giving back to communities in need. Access to clean water is a basic human right.

What was the biggest challenge you had to find a way to tackle?

Working with the community partners is the biggest challenge especially in terms of initial trust and technical communication. The challenge was overcome by seeking help in making connections through established organizations and individuals that previously worked with the communities and toning simplifying technical contents when communicating with community members.

haroon sahotra

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

What do you feel most passionate about working on this Project?

I am most passionate about engaging with Chinese graduate students, seeing how thoughtfully they learn and apply their knowledge to water research. It’s inspiring to realize that, despite our different cultural backgrounds, we share a common challenge and a deep, shared commitment to understanding and sustaining water resources.

What was the biggest challenge you had to find a way to tackle?

My biggest challenge was the language barrier and the nuances that come with it. I continue to address this by learning Chinese and deepening my understanding of Chinese culture. I also use language technologies to enhance communication and strengthen collaboration with our partners in China.

edwin oh

Professor, College of Sciences

What do you feel most passionate about working on this Project?

I am most passionate about connecting science with community impact. Our research brings together genomics, engineering, and data science to develop systems that detect health threats early and turn water into a renewable resource. Seeing this work move from the laboratory to policy and practical water reuse efforts is deeply rewarding.

What was the biggest challenge you had to find a way to tackle?

The biggest challenge was connecting the laboratory science of genomics with the practical realities of water systems. Each stage, from sampling to sequencing to interpretation, required close collaboration among engineers, microbiologists, and public health partners. We addressed this by building strong communication and trust across disciplines, creating a shared process that now helps wastewater genomics guide public health and water management decisions.

Sajjad Ahmad

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

What do you feel most passionate about working on this Project?

I am most passionate about the opportunity to compare two iconic, water-stressed river basins and to explore new scientific insights that emerge when diverse data, perspectives, and management approaches are brought together. This project not only advances our understanding of water scarcity under climate change but also strengthens long-term international partnerships and meaningful knowledge exchange with colleagues in China.

What was the biggest challenge you had to find a way to tackle?

Coordinating an international team across multiple time zones and academic systems was initially difficult. We overcame this challenge through consistent communication, regular visits, and the effective use of virtual meetings to keep the project moving efficiently.

erica marti

Associate Professor, Civil and
Environmental Engineering and Construction Department

What do you feel most passionate about working on this Project?

When working on this project, I am most passionate about applying research to solve real world problems. This project goes far beyond generating results for a scientific audience—we are working on solutions that have a direct impact on people’s lives by providing additional water resources to meet daily needs.

What was the biggest challenge you had to find a way to tackle?

For me, I think the biggest challenge is yet to come—it will be when we test our greywater reuse system with the community partners. I believe that is when we’ll have to step back and look at how to improve the system even better. However, I look forward to this process because it’s an opportunity to engage in engineering design with the people who will benefit from the technology. I’ll rely on past engineering design experiences and my work through Engineers Without Borders to gain feedback from the community members, actively listen to their needs, and develop guidance materials to ensure consistent operation and maintenance over time.

The Project team members (UNLV and Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University faculty and students) on a field
trip to the Virgin River in Utah.

Would you like to know more about the Project?

other programs you might be interested in

Protecting the World’s Tigers & Leopards

Siberian Tiger & Leopard National Park is a Nature Reserve Which Aims to Maintain Biodiversity

Lotus-Shaped Library

130-foot-high lotus shaped iconic landmark in the heart of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China

Supporting Quality Education

CTF on a mission to bring quality education to the areas in China which needed it most