Jar Testing at HDR's Applied Research and Engineering Center (AREC) | Applied Water Research

Applied Water Research

One Water Institute Drives Holistic Innovation Through Research 

One Water Institute is an all-inclusive applied water research program 

Our in-house laboratories, various mobile testing capabilities and technical experts create the foundation of our Water Institute. The other layers involve you: utility clients, research organisations, equipment vendors and universities.

We believe in moving the industry forward with collaborative projects through organisations like the Water Research Foundation, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. EPA, but we also demonstrate proof of concept at the bench and through pilot scale efforts for our municipal clients.

Through applied research, we tackle water supply and treatment challenges spurred by water availability, financial pressures, regulatory drivers and the desire to protect public health. 

We want to help you discover unbiased answers and tailored solutions.

Water Research Insights

Meet our team members

Christina Alito
One Water Institute Lead
Samantha Black | HDR | speaker
Water/Wastewater Engineer
Pete D'Adamo | HDR
Water Treatment Technical Advisor
Pierre Kwan
Water Treatment Technical Director
Gwen Woods-Chabane
Drinking Water Quality Lead

One Size Does Not Fit One Water

There is no “one size fits all” or an easy approach to One Water solutions. Each utility and community must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the program’s best fit. To demonstrate our continued commitment to the One Water concept, water research, and innovation, we launched HDR’s One Water Institute.

Learn About Our Initiatives

Ozone Bench Scale Testing at our Applied Research Engineering Center | Applied Water Research
Innovation In Action

Innovation In Action

Our researchers push the industry forward with published reports, peer-reviewed articles and manuals of practice, placing research of new processes or technologies back into the marketplace. This video explains how Trinity River Authority from Arlington, Texas, partnered with the WRF to develop an innovative process to control manganese during conversion to biofiltration through WRF Project #4448.

Features our Chance Lauderdale, drinking water market director.

A Long History with The Water Research Foundation

We’re proud to work side by side with the WRF to advance the state of the art. Together, we have collaborated on over 70 projects since 1985. That’s a lot of front line experience to help you choose the right approach and technology for your next project.

Read More

WRF Experience List

Our In-House Testing Facility Locations

HDR's Applied Research and Engineering Center (AREC) | Applied Water Research
Applied Research and Engineering Center (AREC) | Claremont CA

HDR's Environmental Measurement Operations Center (EMOC) | Applied Water Research
Environmental Measurement Operations Center (EMOC) | Nanuet NY

HDR's Geotechnical & Construction Materials Testing Laboratory | Paducah KY | Applied Water Research
Geotechnical & Construction Materials Testing Laboratory | Paducah, KY

Our in-house testing facilities

We can provide the resources needed—human labour, technical expertise, equipment and facility space—to support the discovery and development of creative solutions.

Applied Research Engineering Center

New infrastructure or old, our material testing capabilities can help you decide what to use, where to use it or how to fix it. We are highly regarded for our technical expertise, thoroughness and reliability. Our Applied Research and Engineering Center (AREC) specialises in soil and water corrosivity testing.

Environmental Measurements Operations Centre

We are professional biologists and technicians with experience in marine, estuarine and freshwater adult and juvenile fish, ichthyoplankton, macrozooplankton and macroinvertebrate analyses. Our field expertise also includes ornithology, wildlife management, limnology and 316(b) impingement and entrainment studies.

Geotechnical & Construction Materials Testing Laboratory

With a focus on geophysical, geochemical outcomes, our Geotechnical & Construction Materials Testing Laboratory is accredited through the AASHTO Materials Reference Laboratory and validated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for soils, aggregate, concrete, rock and masonry testing.