The EPA on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, in concert with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced a new collaborative effort called the Water Technology Innovation Cluster (WTIC) to develop and commercialize innovative technologies. According to a press release from the announcement in Cincinnati, the WTIC will focus on technologies in the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

A regional technology cluster is defined as a geographic concentration of interconnected firms – businesses, suppliers, service providers – and supporting institutions such as local government, business chambers, universities, investors, and others that work together in an organized manner to promote economic growth and technological innovation. Milwaukee, an example of one such cluster, was covered in a feature article (use link) in 2009, but that one isn't a federal program.

"This cluster will benefit from the region's abundance of cutting-edge companies," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Investments made here will encourage continued growth, while positioning our nation to lead the way in a new market of environmental technologies."

The EPA has invested $5 million to conduct key studies of the environmental technology market place for drinking water, acquire the services of a cluster consultant, and conduct technology and knowledge mapping of the region to gauge its strengths. WTIC will develop, test, and market innovative processes and technologies including those that:

• Are sustainable, and water and energy efficient
• Will be cost effective for the utilities and consumers
• Address a broad array of contaminants
• Improve public health protection

In addition, WTIC will move forward with the development of green infrastructure, including rain gardens. The rain gardens will be designed to receive stormwater runoff from roads, roofs, and parking lots. The rain gardens' sandy soils allow stormwater to gain access to the native soils below and eventually contribute to groundwater recharge. Pollutants and nutrients in stormwater runoff are removed by rain garden vegetation and soils through biological and physical processes.

Jackson said the EPA based its decision to put WTIC in Cincy on the history of the agency's water research laboratory there. At present, WTIC steering committee is the only formal cluster entity leading the planning and development. The steering committee is currently developing a framework and operating structure that will guide WTIC's make up and operating processes. The intention is for WTIC to flourish under its own power, with the EPA as one of many participants collaborating to develop technologies to solve environmental challenges.

SOURCE: EPA website