Clarkson University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) have been recently designated to launch New York state’s new Center of Excellence (CoE) in Healthy Water Solutions. State funding for the new CoE was supported by state Senator Rachel May and Assemblyman Al Stirpe with signatures from representatives from around the state. First year of funding is currently at $125,000.The two partners plan a collaborative model to deploy experts and students to deliver technology innovations and research-based solutions with local partners taking on complex challenges in their aquatic systems and water infrastructures.
“Climate change is wreaking havoc on our lakes and waterways in Central New York,” said May. “The increased presence of harmful algal blooms coupled with our aging infrastructure endangers the future health of our waters. It is critical that we invest in practical and innovative solutions to these complex problems. We are lucky to have tremendous resources for seeking such solutions in the faculty here at SUNY-ESF, as well as in their close partnership with Clarkson. We will now be able to utilize their knowledge to its fullest potential for the benefit of all New Yorkers. The new Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions is uniquely positioned to revolutionize our understanding and management of aquatic systems for New York and the world.”
Assemblyman Al Stirpe said, “New York State, and especially our Central New York region, has abundant water resources to manage and safeguard. The recent designation of the Clarkson – ESF Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions will bring innovation and momentum to advancing public–private collaboration across sectors to address critical water infrastructure and aquatic systems protection that is needed here and around the nation.”
Clarkson’s world-class technical, innovation and engineering expertise in healthy water systems and ESF’s renowned expertise in monitoring, watershed ecosystem management, and natural solution development uniquely position this CoE to create and leverage partnerships across public-private sectors.
The center will work with state government agencies and affected municipalities to address problems related to emerging and traditional contaminants, and the aging water infrastructure. Focusing on water and the natural environment, the CoE will work with industry, government and regional university collaborators to develop early-warning systems to monitor, model, predict and avoid threats before they become issues. The center will also work on management practices and ecosystem design to improve the resilience of New York state’s water assets.
“We appreciate the tremendous bipartisan support from the Governor and his executive team, and our senators and assembly representatives to advance healthy water solutions with partners across the state through a Center of Excellence,” said Tony Collins, president of Clarkson University. “Together, we recognize the national and statewide sense of urgency to protect New York’s valuable water resources while also ensuring their role as an engine for economic growth and vitality.”
ESF Interim President David Amberg said the new center will provide opportunities for the environmental leaders of tomorrow to learn how to address some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. “The abundance of water is one of our region’s biggest assets, and will only become more valuable in the face of climate change,” Amberg said. “This partnership with Clarkson will help protect New York’s waterways and, by extension, improve human health and the natural environment throughout the state.”
