Dr. Weidhaas Champions Local Solutions for Water Reclamation in Arid Utah
On June 18, 2024, Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Jennifer Weidhaas shared her insights and experiences with the groundbreaking PureSojo project as part of the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. This innovative initiative, developed in collaboration with the City of South Jordan, represents a significant leap forward in water sustainability for Utah.
“It has been exciting to see the project come to fruition and provide a roadmap for future reuse projects in Utah,” said Dr. Weidhaas. Her expertise and commitment have been crucial to the project’s development and implementation, ensuring its success and impact.
From Theory to Practice
During her talk at the PureSojo site, Dr. Weidhaas reflected on her teaching journey, noting a significant shift in how she can now approach water reuse topics in her courses. Previously, she had to cite examples from states like Texas or California to illustrate water sustainability projects. However, with PureSojo, she now has a powerful local case study to share with her students, showcasing the potential for water reclamation in Utah’s unique climate.
Having a local example like PureSojo enriches our curriculum and provides tangible proof of what can be achieved in our own backyard.
A Vision for the Future
As Utah’s population continues to grow, the importance of sustainable water management becomes increasingly critical. Initiatives like PureSojo are not just projects; they are essential steps towards building a resilient and sustainable future for our state. By setting new standards for water reuse, PureSojo serves as a model for other communities in Utah and beyond.
About the Project
The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow is the first time America’s engineers and operators have come together to celebrate successful infrastructure investment projects. The Roadshow is a joint project from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Recent stops on the Roadshow this year have included the DC Infrastructure Academy in Washington, DC; the Low Battery Seawall in Charleston, South Carolina; Colman Dock in Seattle, Washington; and the Northwest Valley Infrastructure Project in Phoenix, Arizona. It is exciting that the Roadshow has now stopped at an infrastructure project that Dr. Weidhaas has been a part of, and that Project Sojo’s efforts right here in Utah are being recognized nationally.
The University of Utah is proud to support and be part of such transformative projects, highlighting the intersection of academic research, practical application, and community collaboration.
Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah
Our faculty specializing in Environmental Engineering are dedicated to addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Our cutting-edge research spans across multiple disciplines — from wastewater reclamation to reducing CO² emissions — combining innovative technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration to help build the future more sustainably.
Explore Environmental Engineering at the U→
More news from our department:
Nanobubbles: Tiny Powerhouses with Huge Potential
University of Utah Environmental Engineering Professor is at the Forefront of New Nanobubble Technology Peculiarly powerful, nanobubbles have opened a new frontier in science and engineering, creating promising environmental and medical applications. But what exactly is a nanobubble? Imagine a tiny water bubble that’s 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt. Then imagine […]
PhD Student Proposes Vision for the Future of Engineering in Utah
Mina Golazad, Construction Engineering PhD student, has been awarded second place in the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum Scholarship program for her vision of engineering in the future state. Mina’s response to the prompt, “Be Future Ready,” garnered recognition from the ASCE Utah Younger Member Forum. This year’s prompt challenged participants to envision the challenges […]
Dr. Cathy Liu Earns Prestigious Educator Award
CvEEN Professor Earns 2023 Outstanding Educator Award The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is a global organization dedicated to improving transportation systems and creating smarter, more livable communities. Within this vast network, the Mountain District ITE represents the U.S.’s mountain states and recognizes outstanding educators in the field. Dr. Cathy Liu has been honored with […]
Searching for a Sustainable Future
Empowering Geoscience and Engineering Education for the Energy Transition. Dr. Rasoul Sorkhabi, a CvEEN Research Professor, and Milind Deo, a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Director of the Energy & Geoscience Institute, are pioneering a transformative approach to geoscience and geoengineering education. Their work, recently featured in the prestigious “Issues in Science and Technology” magazine […]