Branch projects are supported by a combination of administrative, chemistry, and engineering staff. TTEB research is conducted in onsite laboratories and pilot plants as well as through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. The scope of TTEB research projects is often defined by the needs identified within other offices of the EPA, such as the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water. Information learned by TTEB scientists supports the development of EPA regulations and rules. Most of present research is tied closely to the Disinfection Byproducts Rule and the Information Collection Rule.
Some research is focused on lead and copper rule compliance.
It is important to consider all treatment technologies in terms of total water quality. Our branch is also interested in the special problems of small and medium size systems and the processes that are most amenable to those systems.