The West Virginia Water Research Institute at West VirginiaUniversity has expanded its research mission to include water resource management, environmentally related economic development, water supply security and industrial site rehabilitation.


“The Water Resources Institute has accomplished a lot in the 12 years since its inception,”said Paul Ziemkiewicz, director.”We are currently managing research awards in excess of $4.5 million and hope to achieve considerably more with the expansion.”


New areas of focus for the Institute likely will center on the potential for economic development restrictions in West Virginia because of water shortages, and adequate supplies of cooling water for coal-fired power plants.


“We are already seeing an impact on new residential developments in the Eastern Panhandle where they have had trouble getting adequate water supplies from wells,”said Ziemkiewicz.”We are hopeful the Institutes resources can assist in this area.”


The Institute is internationally recognized for its leadership in mine land reclamation, water treatment, watershed rehabilitation and industrial waste issues. Ongoing projects include the Monongahela Basin Mine Pool Project and restoration of the Cheat River Watershed.


“In the Monongahela Project, we are trying to answer questions regarding when and where mine water from flooded underground mines in the Pittsburgh coal seam will discharge, what the effects on surface water quality will be, how the water will need to be treated and how much it will cost,”Ziemkiewicz noted.


The CheatRiver project entails extensive acid mine drainage treatment.


As part of its expansion plan, the WVWRI also announced its intention to hire an assistant director to be responsible for developing new funding opportunities, managing research programs and projects and serving as director of the NationalEnvironmentalEducation&TrainingCenter, a program of the WVWRI .


“It is exciting to be a part of a growing organization that is actively improving our water resources.”Ziemkiewicz said.


Individuals interested in the Institute and/or the new position can visit the WVWRI Web site athttp://wvwri.nrcce.wvu.edu.