The West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) hosted a three-part virtual seminar series from December 2020 through February 2021 to share current research and remediation projects with interested outside organizations and the public.

The first session featured three research projects carried out by WVU researchers with funding from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) 104b program. These projects share the common focus of water quality and quantity. Presentations included:

• Evaluation of Water Allocation Models for West Virginia: Leslie Hopkinson, PhD, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and undergraduate student researchers Hannah Foley, Andrew Hay, Wilson McNeil, and Ethan Wimer
• West Virginia Water Use Assessment of Federal Datasets: Nicolas Zegre, PhD, Associate Professor of Forest Hydrology, Mountain Hydrology Laboratory, and Eric Sjostedt, Graduate Research Assistant, Mountain Hydrology Laboratory
• Bromide, Chloride, Sulfate, and TDS Trends in the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers: Joseph Kingsbury, Graduate Research Assistant, WV Water Research Institute

The Northern West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center (NBAC) provided an overview of its programs and highlighted key projects in the second session. NBAC, housed within WVWRI, serves to assist communities in assessing, cleaning up, and redeveloping contaminated sites. This session provided introductory information for those interested in restoring a brownfield or dilapidated building in their community. NBAC speakers included:

• Carrie Staton, Interim Director, NBAC
• Nicole Dias, Project Associate, NBAC
• Ray Moeller, Economic Redevelopment Specialist, NBAC

The third and final session was dedicated to acid mine drainage (AMD) research and remediation. Projects included current and anticipated recipients of USGS 104b funding, as well as remediation efforts carried out through the National Mine Land Reclamation Center, a program of WVWRI. Presentations included:

• Monitoring Fecal Coliforms and E. Coli in Watersheds Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage: Emily Garner, PhD, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Claire McDonald, M.S. Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Lambert Run Watershed Restoration: Sarah Cayton, Program Manager, National Mine Lands Reclamation Center, WV Water Research Institute
• Deckers Creek Passive Treatment Evaluation over Lifespans, Seasons, and Storms: Christopher Russoniello, PhD, Professor of Geology and Geography, and Brian Hurley, Executive Director, Friends of Deckers Creek

This series was an excellent opportunity for researchers, students, and remediation specialists to share their work. Participants gained new understanding and opportunities for collaboration. To view recordings of the presentations, click on the links above.