Exploring, Encouraging, Educating, and Finding Solutions, since 1964. The Puerto Rico Water Resources and Environmental Research Institute (PRWRERI) is a center dedicated to the identification and development of solutions to water resources problems in Puerto Rico and tropical regions.

1. To conduct research aimed at resolving local and national water resources problems
2. To train scientists and engineers through hands-on experience in research
3. To facilitate the incorporation of research results in the knowledge base of water resources professionals.

• To promote and manage competitive research in areas related to water resources, environmental sciences and engineering.
• To offer training to new scientists and engineers through research.
• To keep technicians, engineers, scientists, and other environmental professionals up to date on the results of recent research in water resources, environmental sciences and engineering.
• To offer education and hands-on training to engineers, technicians, operators, and other professionals in topics related to water resources, environmental sciences and engineering.
• To collaborate with, and advise, government agencies, communities, and the private sector in the solution of problems related to water resources and the environment.

This fiscal year’s local request for proposal had a limited response, probably due to new austere measures adopted by the University’s administration and the high matching requirement of the 104B program. After an appropriate evaluation of the submitted proposals, the PRWRERI selected three proposals (two new projects and one continuing project) for funding under the 104B Section. These are…

1. Geomorphic evolution of the Río Grande de Añasco Lower Valley and its impact on water resources (new project - a collaborative effort between personnel from the USGS, the Coastal Resilience Center of Excellence at UPRM, and the PRWRERI).
2. Atrazine and glyphosate monitoring in water streams and degradation using a novel TiO2-based biopolymer (new project)
3. Nanotechnology-based wastewater treatment for reuse – Phase II (a continuingn ongoing project).

The Institute’s web page will continue to be the principal avenue of information transfer. The digitalization project of all project reports submitted since the inception of the Institute in 1965 (started a few years ago) will continue and all reports will be made available to the public via the web page. New projects will have their dedicated web page, reports will be uploaded and posted as they are submitted and reviewed. Each active project will have its own web page accessible through our main website. Two students, either from the Computer Engineering Department or the Computer Science Program of the Mathematic Science Department at UPRM, will be hired on a part-time basis to assist in the administration and maintenance of the website and in the development of computer applications to assist research activities. The Institute will update, enhance, and expand the short course offering at its summer professional development program. In collaboration with the Center for Hemispheric Cooperation in Research and Education in Engineering and Applied Science (CoHemis) and the Division of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (DCEPS), the Institute will advertise this program in Central and South America. Long-time contacts with colleagues in these countries have demonstrated that there is interest in our Professional Development Program.

Dr. Jorge Rivera-Santos will continue to supervise the progress of all research projects and continue to be a liaison between the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and other agencies including the Caribbean, the Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC) and the local office of the US Geological Survey. The Director is a member of the Interagency Committee on Water Resources of Puerto Rico, representing the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. This committee updated the PR Water Resources Integrated Management Plan administered by the PRDNER, later approved and enacted in January 2016. The Institute conducted some studies that have been incorporated as part of this plan. The Director will target other local government agencies to become directly involved with the Institute through the arrangement of “Memorandums of Understanding” (MOUs). Puerto Rico’s government is going through constants changes of administration officials, as mentioned above, and requires that the director be continuously seeking meetings and developing new strategies to get these new officials aware of and involved with the Institute. The Institute Director will be meeting with new officials and continues the efforts to engage new MOUs or reinforce existing ones. These agreements will allow the Institute to become involved in the solution of many of the water-related problems that affect our resources and environment.