On February 2, a delegation of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), headed by Ms. Cynthia Sonich-Mullin, the Director of NRMRL visited Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and a joint workshop on water treatment and drinking water distribution systems was held. The workshop was chaired by Prof. Min Yang, the Deputy Director of RCEES and the Director of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry (SKLEAC). Dr. Suoxiang Liu, the Chief Executive of Beijing Water Works Group (BWWG) together with 5 branch chiefs attended the workshop.

Prof. Dongsheng Wang, the Deputy Director of Drinking Water Science and Engineering Center (DWSEC) gave an overview presentation on the drinking water research plans in China and related research activities at RCEES. Prof. Qiuwen Chen, Dr. Baoyou Shi and Dr. Haibo Wang made presentations on the optimized operation and management of drinking water distribution systems (DWDS), iron release behaviors under changing water quality conditions, and effect of disinfectant and biofilm on iron corrosion, respectively. Dr. Nan Cao, the Branch Chief of Science and Technology Division of BWWG gave an overall introduction on the general water supply conditions in Beijing and the efforts made by BWWG on source water protection, water treatment and distribution system management. 

Ms. Sonich-Mullin briefly introduced the organization chart of U.S. EPA and the mission of NRML. Dr. Thomas F. Speth, the Acting Director of Water Supply & Water Resources Division, three Branch Chiefs, Dr. Darren Lytle, Dr. Mark Rodgers and Dr. Y. Jeffery Yang made presentations on treatment of special contaminants, distribution system corrosion and pollution, DWDS biofilm analysis by genomics, and smart water supply systems, respectively. Dr. H.D. Alan Lindquist, the Acting Director of Water Infrastructure Protection Division, National Homeland Security Research Center, gave a brief introduction on DWDS online monitoring, early warning and emergency disposal practices in the United States.

This workshop greatly promoted the understanding of each side. After detailed discussion, some potential collaboration areas were proposed. Both sides decided to initiate the collaboration based on current national projects related to drinking water research both in China and the US. Actions including researcher exchange and co-supervision of graduate students, etc., will be taken soon. 

State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry

Feb. 05, 2013