Water

Engineering a solution for microplastic pollution

May graduates Sarah Beth Gleeson, Shoshana Weintraub, and Julia Yan will use their President’s Sustainability Prize to create a device for trapping microfibers in laundry machines to reduce ocean microplastic pollution.

Erica K. Brockmeier , Amanda Mott

The Clean Water Act at 50

Approaching the half-century mark of this landmark piece of environmental legislation, Penn students, staff, and faculty share their reflections on its legacy, both strengths and shortcomings.

Katherine Unger Baillie

Empowering refugee communities with access to clean water

With project Maji, seniors Martin Leet and Leah Voytovich will use their President’s Engagement Prize to install a solar-powered water tank and provide agricultural and first aid training for members of the Olua I community.

Erica K. Brockmeier



In the News


Philadelphia Inquirer

From the U.N. climate conference, advice for Philly as it adapts to global warming

A delegation of Penn students, researchers, and faculty who attended the COP27 climate conference offer their ideas for how Philadelphia officials can work to make the goals of the Paris Agreement a reality.

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WHYY-Radio (Philadelphia)

Delaware Valley experts, residents call ‘forever chemical’ health screening recommendations a ‘bold step’ 

Mary Regina Boland of the Perelman School of Medicine says patients could lower their environmental health risks by discovering the source of their exposure to toxic chemicals.

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NBC Philadelphia

Philly’s drinking water threatened by climate change

Howard Neukrug of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about the potential effects of climate change on Philadelphia’s water supply. “We’ve seen a lot of one in one-hundred-year events occurring back to back,” says Neukrug.

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The Washington Post

On ‘Day Zero,’ Cape Town Will Run Out of Water. It’s Not the Only City at Risk.

Scott Moore of the School of Arts and Sciences writes about the Cape Town water crisis and how it is spreading to other areas.

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