A Cornell-led initiative is addressing one of the nation's most persistent gaps in water access: the lack of reliable, affordable drinking water in small and rural communities.
The effort, called VersaWater, is supported with a $5 million grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation Convergence Accelerator Future Water Systems program, which brings together a coalition of partners to deliver "utility-in-a-box" water systems - simplified, long-lasting and affordable solutions that allow communities to build, operate and maintain their own drinking water infrastructure.
The initiative builds on the Water for Small And Very Small Systems project announced in 2024 and collaborators include Cornell's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University's Institute for Sustainability Engagement, AguaClara Reach, and Interamerican University of Puerto Rico's Center for Conservation, Education and Research.
"Many small communities are stuck between large centralized systems that don't scale down and household solutions that don't scale up," said Ruth Richardson, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Cornell. "VersaWater bridges that gap with a practical model that communities can manage themselves."
The need is urgent. In the U.S., about 150,000 small potable water systems serve 30 million people, many of whom experience unreliable service, high costs or water quality violations. These small systems often face hurdles in accessing federal funding and complying with complex regulations. For the 40% that rely on surface water, the challenge is compounded by environmental issues such as heavy rainfall and sediment surges.
In Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, where unreliable electricity, frequent extreme weather and high poverty rates complicate water access, these obstacles are especially acute.
VersaWater will deploy prefabricated, electricity-free treatment systems that can be shipped in standard containers, meet federal water standards and handle highly turbid sources. The project team will also support communities with operator training, regulatory and funding guidance, and long-term management strategies.
Pilot opportunities are planned for Puerto Rico and rural areas of the northeastern U.S. These demonstrations will test not only technical performance but also pathways for local self-sufficiency in water system operations, monitoring and administration.
By pairing decades of research with real-world implementation, project leaders said VersaWater aims to transform how small water systems are supported in the U.S. and abroad, offering a scalable model designed to ensure safe drinking water in every community.
