Architecture and Civil Engineering

Drinking Water Resources and Systems Research Area

Access to safe drinking water and sustainable water reuse is essential for human health and societal resilience. As climate change, aging infrastructure, and emerging pollutants challenge water safety and availability, our research area focuses on developing innovative, science-based solutions to ensure sustainable water supply and reclamation. We aim to secure water systems through risk assessment, advanced treatment and reuse technologies, and smart monitoring, aligning with frameworks such as the WHO Water Safety Plan and the EU Drinking Water Directive.

Our research

Our research spans both fundamental and applied studies in drinking water engineering, water reclamation, and sustainable water management. We develop innovative approaches for treating and reusing diverse water sources to create resilient circular water systems. Our work encompasses water quality monitoring, system resilience, and resource recovery technologies that maximize water efficiency while ensuring safety standards.  We work closely with municipalities, utilities, and industry partners to address key challenges in water distribution, advanced treatment, reclamation processes, and comprehensive quality assurance. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to transform how communities approach water supply security by integrating drinking water provision with sustainable reuse strategies.  

Key Research Challenges and Questions

  • How can we transform aging water distribution networks into safe and sustainable systems?  We develop data-driven frameworks for pipe renewal and rehabilitation, using hydraulic modeling and leakage detection to assess health risks and optimize infrastructure investments. Our goal is to minimize microbial intrusions, and with that reduce health risks, and improve cost-efficiency in distribution systems.  
     
  • How can we identify rapid and reliable measurement systems for water quality monitoring during drinking water production and distribution?  We design and implement novel optical sensors and smart monitoring systems to detect pollutants early, optimize chemical dosing, and manage membrane fouling. These tools enable proactive water quality management and enhance operational decision-making.    

  • How can cost-effective, efficient, and robust technologies for decentralized water reuse systems be developed and optimized to effectively remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), pathogens, and other pollutants, ensuring water safety and quality for various applications such as irrigation, industrial processes, landscaping and non-potable household reuse?   We investigate advanced treatment technologies—such as biofiltration, membrane processes, and foam fractionation—to remove contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), pathogens, and other pollutants. Life cycle assessments and quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRA) support our efforts to ensure safety and sustainability in reuse applications.  
     
  • How do we improve treatment processes to remove micropollutants and “forever chemicals” like PFAS?  Our research explores the performance of granular activated carbon and alternative filtering materials, using advanced chemical imaging to understand removal mechanisms. We aim to develop more effective and sustainable treatment strategies for current and future challenges. Also, development of quantitative chemical risk assessment (QCRA) method supports our research.  

Keywords that describe our research activities include:  

Drinking water engineering, natural organic matter, risk assessment, sensors, water reuse, decentralized treatment, PFAS removal, granular activated carbon, hydraulic modeling, microbial intrusion, QMRA, QCRA, biofiltration, fluorescence spectroscopy, and sustainability analysis.  

Research Area members

Research Area Leader

Core members

Kathleen Murphy
  • Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Jesper Knutsson
  • Researcher, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Amir Saeid Mohammadi
  • Staff Scientist, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Olof Bergstedt
  • Adjunct Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Lena Blom
  • Adjunct Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Erik Kristiansson
  • Full Professor, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematical Sciences

Affiliated members

Frank Persson
  • Associate Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Sebastien Rauch
  • Full Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Oskar Modin
  • Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Britt-Marie Wilén
  • Full Professor, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering

Junior researchers

Ali Esmaeeli
  • Doctoral Student, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Aina Mc Evoy
  • Doctoral Student, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering
Uchit Sangroula
  • Doctoral Student, Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering

Alumni

  • Victor Vinas

  • Mohanna Heibati

  • Nashita Moona

  • Lesly Paradina Fernandez

  • Urban Wünsch

  • Michael Odihambo

WEE Lab

The Water Environmental Engineering (WEE) Lab is a research and education facility that provides infrastructure for experimental research focused on water, the environment, environmental biotechnology, energy materials and resources, and sustainability.

DRICKS

A platform for collaboration in drinking water research with the aim to contribute to a more safer and sustainable drinking water supply.