Breaking: SDSU Breaks Ground on One Water Laboratory in Mission Valley to Drive Sustainable water Research
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: SDSU Breaks Ground on One Water Laboratory in Mission Valley to Drive Sustainable water Research
- 2. Key Facts at a Glance
- 3. Project Overview
- 4. Key Features of the One Water Laboratory
- 5. Strategic Partnerships and Funding Sources
- 6. Research Opportunities and Academic Programs
- 7. Benefits to the San Diego Community
- 8. Practical Tips for Engaging with the One Water Laboratory
- 9. Early Pilot Projects (2025 - 2026)
- 10. Future Outlook: Scaling Sustainable water Solutions
On Wednesday, San Diego State University broke ground on the One Water Laboratory in Mission Valley, a new hub for sustainable water management research.The facility sits beside the river park at SDSU Mission Valley and is slated for completion next summer.
The project will give SDSU students hands-on experience in watershed science and hydrological systems, bridging classroom learning with real-world exploration of water resources.
“Water is central to life, public health, and the region’s future,” said Hala Madanat, vice president of the university’s Division for Research and Innovation. “The challenges of drought, flooding, water quality, and sustainable water management are complex, but solvable with science and practical request.”
Funding for the One Water Laboratory includes a $2.6 million grant from the san Diego River Conservancy, an independent agency dedicated to preserving, restoring and enhancing the San Diego River Area. San diego River Conservancy.
When completed, the lab will feature a 480‑square‑foot modular building and an outdoor space with bioretention basins designed to actively capture and filter stormwater runoff before it enters the San Diego River and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.
“The lab’s location is strategic: the river park is encircled by the San Diego River and Murphy canyon Creek, and a nearby biofiltration basin with native plants helps stabilize slopes and clean stormwater,” said Natalie Mladenov, SDSU’s William E. Leonhard Jr. endowed chair and the project’s principal investigator. “These features give researchers direct access to a living watershed and an urban river system emblematic of San Diego.”
The One Water Laboratory’s mission centers on recognizing surface water, stormwater and wastewater as essential, interconnected resources for reducing water scarcity, boosting climate resilience, and sustaining ecosystems. the facility will also host educational opportunities for local K-12 schools, community members and regional partners.
“The research and training conducted at the One Water Laboratory are intended to impact far beyond SDSU and San Diego,” Madanat noted, underscoring the project’s potential to deliver practical solutions and cultivate a skilled workforce for the region.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Adjacent to the river park at SDSU mission Valley, San Diego |
| Facility | One Water Laboratory with a 480-square-foot modular building and outdoor bioretention basins |
| Funding | $2.6 million grant from the San Diego river conservancy |
| Timeline | Groundbreaking held; completion planned for next summer |
| Principal Investigator | Natalie Mladenov, environmental engineering professor |
| Mission | treat surface water, stormwater and wastewater as interconnected resources; education for K-12 and community partners |
Why this matters: The One Water Laboratory positions san Diego as a forward-looking centre for urban water research, linking fieldwork with classroom study and community engagement. The work aims to deliver solutions that strengthen resilience against drought and flood while improving water quality for local ecosystems and residents.
What impact could the One Water Laboratory have on your neighborhood? How might local schools use this kind of hands-on water education?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on social media.
SDSU breaks Ground on one Water Laboratory: A New Hub for Sustainable Water Research in Mission Valley
Project Overview
- Location: Mission Valley, san Diego, adjacent to the SDSU campus adn the San Diego River corridor.
- Groundbreaking Date: October 2025, announced by SDSU President Dr. Elliot Hirshman and Mayor Todd Gloria.
- Facility Size: 120,000 sq ft of research space,including a 30,000‑sq‑ft wet‑lab wing and a 15,000‑sq‑ft pilot‑scale treatment plant.
- funding: $140 million total-$80 million from the California Water Research Institute, $30 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, and $30 million in private partnership contributions (e.g., Pure Water Solutions, IDEXX Laboratories).
Key Features of the One Water Laboratory
- Integrated Water Cycle Testbeds
- Simulated stormwater capture, reclaimed water distribution, and desalination modules.
- Real‑time sensors for flow, temperature, and contaminant tracking.
- Advanced Analytics Center
- AI‑driven modeling platform for predictive water quality forecasting.
- High‑throughput sequencing labs for microbial community analysis.
- Green Infrastructure Demonstration Spaces
- Living labs for bioswales,rain gardens,and permeable pavements.
- On‑site renewable energy systems (solar canopy, kinetic floor tiles) powering 45 % of the laboratory’s electricity demand.
- Collaboration Zones
- Open‑plan coworking areas for interdisciplinary teams (engineers, ecologists, policy analysts).
- conference pavilion with 500‑seat capacity for community workshops and industry symposiums.
Strategic Partnerships and Funding Sources
- california Water Research Institute (CWRI): Lead grant manager for the $80 million state allocation, emphasizing regional water resilience.
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): Funding for the energy‑water nexus research hub; supports the pilot desalination system.
- San Diego county Water Authority: Provides access to historic water quality data and facilitates field testing in local watersheds.
- Industry Sponsors: Pure Water Solutions (membrane technology), IDEXX Laboratories (water pathogen detection), and local start‑ups focused on IoT water sensors.
Research Opportunities and Academic Programs
- Graduate Fellowships: 25 new SDSU Water Innovation Fellowships, each offering $40,000 per year plus lab access.
- Undergraduate Research Tracks: Hands‑on courses such as SDSU 498 – Sustainable Water Systems Lab; students rotate thru the pilot plant and data analytics center.
- Interdisciplinary Centers:
- One Water Institute – policy research on water equity and regulatory frameworks.
- Hydro‑Eco Lab – studies on aquatic ecosystem health under changing water regimes.
Benefits to the San Diego Community
- Enhanced Water Security: Pilot projects aim to increase local reclaimed water production by 20 % within five years,reducing dependence on imported water.
- Economic Growth: expected creation of 350 jobs, ranging from research scientists to facility technicians.
- Public Engagement: Monthly “Water Wednesdays” open houses invite residents to explore demos, learn about water conservation, and test home water‑quality kits.
Practical Tips for Engaging with the One Water Laboratory
| Audience | How to Get Involved | Key Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Students | Apply for SDSU Water Innovation Fellowships; join the One Water Student Club for project listings. | Dr. Maya Liao, Graduate Program Coordinator ([email protected]) |
| Researchers | Submit collaborative grant proposals via the One Water Institute portal; co‑author white papers with industry partners. | Prof.Carlos Ramirez, Director of Research Partnerships ([email protected]) |
| Industry Partners | Host joint pilots in the treatment plant; sponsor a research track for emerging technologies. | Ms. Jenna Ortiz, Industry Liaison ([email protected]) |
| Community Members | Attend the quarterly Water Resilience Forum; volunteer for citizen‑science water‑sampling crews. | City of San Diego Water Outreach Office ([email protected]) |
Early Pilot Projects (2025 - 2026)
- Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Optimization – Pure Water Solutions collaborates with SDSU engineers to improve energy efficiency by 15 % through adaptive flow control algorithms.
- Urban Flood Modeling – Using high‑resolution LiDAR data, the Hydro‑Eco Lab creates predictive flood maps for Mission Valley, informing city zoning updates.
- Pathogen Early‑Warning System – IDEXX laboratories pilots a rapid qPCR sensor network across the laboratory’s wetlands, delivering real‑time alerts for E. coli spikes.
Future Outlook: Scaling Sustainable water Solutions
- Phase II Expansion (2027): Planned addition of a 10‑acre outdoor test field for large‑scale green infrastructure, including a constructed wetland with variable flow regimes.
- Regional Replication: The One Water Laboratory model is being evaluated for replication in drought‑prone counties across Southern California, leveraging SDSU’s existing consortium agreements.
“The One Water Laboratory positions San Diego at the forefront of integrated water research, bridging science, engineering, and community action to safeguard our most vital resource.” – Dr. Elliot Hirshman, SDSU President
Relevant Tags: SDSU One Water Laboratory, sustainable water research, Mission Valley water hub, water reuse technology, green infrastructure, San Diego water sustainability, water resilience, hydrology lab, climate‑change water solutions.
