During the COVID-19 pandemic, national research studies observed water quality degradation within the stagnant plumbing of buildings that were shutdown or had reduced-occupancy due to stay-at-home orders. However, it is difficult to make generalizations from the results of these studies due to unknown variables and varied water quality responses associated with real-life buildings and their diverse plumbing infrastructure (e.g., pipe material, disinfectant type). Even outside of the pandemic, drinking water within the plumbing of buildings and homes can often undergo periods of extended stagnation such as from vacations, property sales, and evacuation measures. Guidance for maintaining plumbing during these periods is lacking, and more controlled studies are needed. At Purdue University, the Proctor Lab is utilizing four identical large-scale plumbing systems to investigate both the chemical and microbial quality of building water impacted by stagnation, water usage, and restorative flushing protocols. This research will contribute to current building management guidance, bolstering the health and safety of building occupants. 

Landfill leachate presents a potentially interesting resource for resource recovery, including both nutrients and metals. We are working on understanding this potential, and learning how the microbiome can be manipulated to further increase this potential. By recovering resources from this waste stream and reusing it, we can contribute to the sustainability of waste.

The microbiome of hydroponic systems present an excellent opportunity for engineering the microbiome. When pathogens enter these systems, they can greatly impact plant health as they recirculate. We are interested in understanding the sources, development, and potential control mechanisms for the microbiome in these systems, including developing methods for biofilm monitoring. 

Microplastics—tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastics or direct use in consumer products—are emerging contaminants of concern for both environmental and human health. In the Proctor Lab, this work explores how microplastics interact with microbial communities and biofilms within plumbing systems, and how these interactions may influence water quality.

The goal of this research is to provide insights into the sources, behavior, and risks of microplastics in built water environments, and to contribute toward developing strategies for reducing their presence in drinking water.

More information will be available soon.