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complemented by solar energy production via two large photovoltaic panels located on either side of the treatment plant. A disc filter located between the glasshouse and MBBR tanks removes any remaining suspended solids before the final disinfection process. A dual-stage disinfection system includes UV and maintaining of oxidizing biocide residual. Online instrumentation verifies effluent turbidity and UV transmissivity. The WaterHub was engineered to meet Georgia reclaimed water quality standards. More importantly, however, engineering and design teams directly engaged the existing water treatment company to develop a process that delivered a water quality stream conducive to utility plant operations. Ultimately, the reclaimed water system at Emory provides a stable, high-quality water source without sacrificing water efficiency at cooling towers, as well as biological, corrosion, and deposition control for the utility equipment. Strengthening A Campus Through Water Reclamation And Reuse In addition to its functional use as a water reclamation facility, the WaterHub is designed as a living laboratory to enhance the university's academic environment. The treatment facility fosters research in disciplines directly related to botany, microbiology, engineering, public policy, and urban planning, among others. Emory's Rollins School of Public Health and its Center for Global Safe Water are using the WaterHub as a teaching tool for students to have hands-on training in testing the treated water at various points in the facility. The Center is conducting research to test the feasibility of using the WaterHub in areas around the globe that face issues of water insecurity and are in need of decentralized wastewater treatment or reclamation solutions. Overall, the WaterHub at Emory provides a number of environmental, social, and economic benefits to the university and broader community. Designed to de-risk campus operations from potential water service disruptions, the WaterHub at Emory University extends the lifespan of community water-related infrastructure. Additionally, the WaterHub has generated interest from diverse market sectors representing government agencies, higher education, and Fortune 500 companies. Professionals ranging from college professors to sustainability coordinators, engineers, and executive officers have traveled to the WaterHub for tours and presentations. Moving the field of water reclamation forward, the WaterHub serves as a model for commercial-scale sustainable water management in urban areas. Recently, the eco-engineered water reclamation facility was recognized for its sustainable technology by the US Water Alliance. On April 8, 2016, the US Water Alliance announced Emory University and its WaterHub as one of three winners awarded the prestigious 2016 US Water Prize. This award recognizes organizations and companies that execute innovative solutions toward the advancement of "one water" sustainability. In announcing the winners, US Water Alliance CEO Radhika Fox said, "While the challenges facing the water sector are great, our capacity of innovation and positive solutions is greater. That's why the US Water Alliance created the US Water Prize — the first-of-its-kind recognition program that celebrates outstanding achievement in driving towards a sustainable water future." In response to the US Water Prize announcement, Emory stated "Through this project, [Emory has] shown how universities can play an important role in advancing sustainability nationwide. Not only has the WaterHub had tremendous impact on how we think about water and how it is utilized on campus, it has also become a national model for those seeking innovative technology to address the global need for water conservation and sustainable solutions." Now an 11-time award winner, the WaterHub at Emory University continues to be honored with accolades and awards including the 2015 Project Achievement Award by Construction Management Association of America South Atlantic Chapter; 2015 Innovative Project of the Year by the WateReuse Association; 2015 Atlanta E3 Award (liquid assets category) by the Metro Atlanta Chamber; 2015 Superior Environmental Performance award by Georgia Safety, Health and Environmental Conference and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers; 2015 Innovative Deal of the Year by Urban Land Institute — Virginia; 2016 Engineering Excellence Grand Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina; 2016 inaugural Fulcrum Award by Southface; 2016 SCUP Excellence in Landscape Architecture — General Honorable Mention Award by the Society for College and University Planning; 2016 National Engineering Excellence Grand Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies; and 2016 Effective and Innovative Practices Award by APPA. n 14 wateronline.com n Water Innovations DECENTRALIZEDSYSTEMS Matthew Early oversees a division of over 800 employees in depart- ments of planning, design and construction, facilities manage- ment, finance and business operations, public safety, and cus- tomer relations and support. He is a professional civil engineer and a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering, with a minor in Construction Management from the University of California- Berkeley, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of La Verne. About The Author