Thanks to a $2 million grant, San Diego State University leaders announced Thursday they intend to build a laboratory in SDSU Mission Valley’s river park to train future water professionals and share their research with the community.
The One Water Living Learning Laboratory will allow SDSU students to “deepen their understanding of watershed science and hydrological systems while gaining hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies for studying water quality, stormwater treatment and wastewater reuse,” according to a statement from the university.
The announcement came just over a month after storms caused flooding throughout the region and amid contamination of local waterways and the threat of drought.
Natalie Mladenov, William E. Leonhard Jr. endowed chair and professor of environmental engineering and principal investigator of the project, said the funding was coming at a good time.
“Water issues hit home in so many ways for San Diegans,” she said. “We’re going to hear more and more about extreme events like the rains and flooding that we’ve had. Through One Water Living Learning Lab, we want to provide a space where community members and students can have a chance to interact with different technologies and better understand the value that water has.”
According to Mladenov, people used to think about rivers, drinking water and wastewater as separate entities. But the “one water” concept at the heart of the new laboratory’s vision treats all water as an important resource, according to the university.
“It’s not just water from the Colorado River that we need to be using, especially in this water scarce environment where we live,” she said. “We have the technologies to treat all water types — including wastewater or stormwater that runs off from the landscape — to make it clean water that’s safe enough for drinking.
“And it’s all connected,” Mladenov said. “Safely treating the water means that we can protect the water quality of our rivers so that we can enjoy them and maintain public health.”
The grant comes from the San Diego River Conservancy for a planned 900- square-foot facility along with outdoor space to provide a staging area for SDSU research teams conducting fieldwork and water sampling on the San Diego River as well as other nearby bodies of water.
According to the university, the design of the river park includes a basin that captures and filters stormwater runoff from pavement before it returns to the San Diego River and eventually drains into the ocean. This, along with the river park’s sanitary sewer infrastructure will provide a source of stormwater and wastewater for water reuse research.
In addition, the laboratory’s location in the river park will allow for community outreach around water issues as well as learning opportunities for K-12 students.
“It is vital to collaborate on issues relating to water quality and supply, hydrology, flood control, water reuse and local watersheds in San Diego County,” said Julia L. Richards, executive officer of San Diego River Conservancy. “This initiative will undoubtedly set a new standard for innovation and excellence in the field of water resource management.
“We are excited to continue working closely with San Diego State University to develop and implement forward-thinking projects to positively impact the San Diego region,” she said.
The One Water Living Learning Laboratory is scheduled to open in January 2026.
— City News Service
