Columbia University
Columbia University is a university that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Bottled water can contain thousands of previously uncounted tiny plastic bits, study finds
In recent years, there has been rising concern that tiny particles known as microplastics are showing up basically everywhere on Earth, from polar ice to soil, drinking water and food. Formed when plastics break down into progressively smaller bits, these particles are being consumed by humans and other creatures, with unknown potential health and ecosystem […]
Rising seas will tighten vise on Miami even for people who are not flooded, says study
A new study that examines both the physical and socioeconomic effects of sea-level rise on Florida’s Miami-Dade County area finds that in coming decades, four out of five residents may face disruption or displacement, whether they live in flood zones or not. As inundation spreads, the effects will be felt predominantly by lower-income people as […]
Ice stupas have become a popular water management tool in Himalayas, but can they work in Chile?
Every winter across the Himalayas for decades, human-made reservoirs have been capturing glacial meltwater from streams and preserving it in the form of ice. By slowing meltwater down or spraying it into the air, people cause it to refreeze, often into shapes called stupas, after the domed Buddhist shrines they may resemble. The ice can […]
Scientists discover that water molecules define the materials around us
A new paper argues that materials like wood, bacteria, and fungi belong to a newly identified class of matter, "hydration solids."
New method predicts extreme events more accurately
Columbia Engineers develop machine-learning algorithm that will help researchers to better understand and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent in our warming climate.
With historic droughts on the rise, we must reclaim our water
The climate crisis challenges our water supply in many ways, from deadly hurricanes to widespread and severe droughts. To combat water scarcity, neighborhoods and communities must reconsider the design of their wastewater systems. Autumn delivered a deluge of rainfall to the Atlantic, with over 100 people killed in the wreckage of Hurricane Ian in Florida and […]
Potential ways to mitigate India’s risk of groundwater depletion
Groundwater depletion in regions of India where grain is grown for public distribution is a huge challenge for the country of 1.4 billion people. A new study identifies specific adjustments in the Indian government's procurement and distribution system that could rectify this issue, particularly in regard to irrigation systems that utilize groundwater pumped by subsidized […]
In sediments below Antarctic ice, scientists discover a giant groundwater system
Previously unmapped reservoirs could speed glaciers, release carbon
You’ve heard of water droughts. Could ‘energy’ droughts be next?
In a new modeling study, researchers show how widely wind and solar potential vary by season and year, suggesting that backup energy sources may be needed as the world shifts to renewables to bring carbon emissions to zero.