The University of Arizona received $4 million as part of a partnership with other colleges in the Southwest to research new methods for reusing potable water.

The consortium will gather experts in fields such as microbiology and chemical and environmental engineering to focus on the decentralization and automation of reusing potable water.

According to a UA statement, decentralization saves energy and money by managing water at the neighborhood or even building level, instead of sending it to a centralized plant. 

This also reduces the risk of spreading pollutants. 

UA, University of Southern California and University of Nevada have each received $4 million in federal funding, with the possibility of $6 million more in the future. 

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