A UNC Professor of Environmental Sciences and Engineering has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to develop strategies for meeting water supply demands in the Southeastern United States.

Gregory Characklis, alongside a team of hydrology, economics and engineering experts, received the grant from the National Science Foundation and the U.S Department of Agriculture.

Characklis and his team are developing a sustainable water management project to reduce water scarcity in the southeast caused by global climate change, population increase and limits on the development of new water sources. Experts in land use, climate, hydrological responses and members of local government will assist Characklis with the project, which will mainly be conducted in the state’s Research Triangle area.

“Unlike water-scarce regions, such as the Western United States, the infrastructure, legal and regulatory systems in the Southeast have developed in a manner that assumes an almost inexhaustible supply of water,” Characklis said in a press release. “An entirely new water-management paradigm is required to accommodate this new regional reality.”

Characklis is the director of the Center for Watershed Science and Management at the UNC Institute for the Environment. He is joined by other UNC researchers from the Gillings School of Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Government as well as collaborators from Cornell University and the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station.

Related Stories
‹
UNC's Research Awards Top $1 Billion For 5th Straight Year
For the fifth consecutive year, outside investments in research at UNC have surpassed the $1 billion mark. The university reported $1.2 billion in research awards for the 2024 fiscal year (FY24). “These new award totals are a testament to the dedication of our researchers who push the boundaries of knowledge in their fields,” said interim […]
Multiple UNC Graduate School Programs Ranked in Nation's Top 10
Several UNC graduate programs were ranked in the top 10 of their respective categories by the U.S. News & World Report this week. Rankings are based on a survey of peers from accredited institutions across the country. “Carolina’s graduate programs are exceptional, and it’s no surprise that our schools are ranked so highly,” said interim […]
Several UNC Graduate Programs Ranked Among Nation's Best
A total of 21 graduate programs at UNC were ranked among the top 10 in the country in their respective categories by U.S. News & World Report. The Gillings School of Global Public Health led the way, coming in second out of 206 schools and programs of public health nationwide. It’s the sixth consecutive rankings […]
New USDA Rule Boosts 'Organic' Food Oversight, Targets Fraud
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Agriculture Department on Thursday issued new requirements for foods labeled organic, a move aimed at cracking down on fraud and boosting oversight. The rule strengthens enforcement of the USDA’s strict definitions of organic, which must rely on “natural substances and physical, mechanical or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.” […]
UNC School of Public Health Receives $65 Million Grant for Antiviral Discovery Center
The National Institutes of Health will be awarding the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health a $65 million grant, North Carolina congressman David Price announced Wednesday. The grant is for the establishment of an Antiviral Drug Discovery Center at the school. Once finished, the center will be one of nine around the country dedicated […]
Yes, There Are Turkeys for Thanksgiving - For a Price
Written by DEE-ANN DURBIN Turkeys may not be able to fly very far. But their prices can soar — along with the costs of other holiday staples like cranberry sauce and pie filling. The Thanksgiving table hasn’t been spared the price inflation that is rampant elsewhere in the economy because of strong consumer demand and labor shortages. […]
Simply Spud-tacular: North Carolina Leads Nation in Sweet Potato Production
For the last 50 years North Carolina has led the nation in sweet potato production. Even during a challenging year for vegetables with increased storms, hurricanes and excessive rain in the state, North Carolina’s sweet potatoes still showed their resilience.
Black US Farmers Awaiting Billions in Promised Debt Relief
Written by ROXANA HEGEMAN and ALLEN G. BREED There was a time when Black farms prospered. Just two generations out of slavery, by 1910 Black farmers had amassed more than 16 million acres of land and made up about 14 percent of farmers. The fruit of their labors fed much of America. Now, they have […]
Focus Carolina: Benjamin Mason Meier
Tune in to Focus Carolina during morning, noon and evening drive times and on the weekends to hear stories from faculty members at UNC and find out what ignites their passion for their work. Focus Carolina is an exclusive program on 97.9 The Hill WCHL, sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Benjamin Mason […]
Focus Carolina: Alice Ammerman
Tune in to Focus Carolina during morning, noon and evening drive times and on the weekends to hear stories from faculty members at UNC and find out what ignites their passion for their work. Focus Carolina is an exclusive program on 97.9 The Hill WCHL, sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Working with […]
›