Dr. Lusk's Laboratory 

Overview 

We study human-induced changes to Earth’s water cycle, with a special emphasis on how water from urban runoff, wastewater, and irrigation affects the health of human-dominated landscapes.

Our goal is to generate new knowledge that enables better stewardship of water resources, thereby safeguarding both the quantity and quality of water available to all people.

We support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to "ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." Our work is not limited to Florida; we also focus on areas throughout the world.

Recent efforts have shifted toward sustainable wastewater management for developing countries, particularly small island states and other insular areas affected by sea-level rise, drought, or climate vulnerabilities.

What we do

We study the urban water cycle, with emphasis on stormwater and wastewater recycling.

• Nature-based solutions for urban stormwater management – exploring ways to use shoreline plantings and floating treatment wetlands to reduce the pollutant load of water held in urban stormwater ponds.
• Wastewater recycling for urban and agricultural uses – Wastewater recycling is a crucial tool for meeting future water needs and adds resilience to our water portfolio as we face population growth, land use change, and climate change.
• Nutrient management for improved understanding of the ecology of harmful algal blooms – how stormwater and wastewater effluents from the landscape affect the ecology of harmful algae in the Tampa Bay area.
• Non-sewered sanitation in insular and developing areas – so people of all nations can have reliable sanitation without the risk of pathogen exposure from untreated or poorly treated human waste.

Impact

Our lab is providing the science-based knowledge and tools necessary to better manage water in urban areas worldwide.

We work with stakeholders at the state, national and international levels to provide expertise on ways to improve water quality and develop water supply resilience in the face of land use change and climate change.

• MS Students' Work

  Links coming soon! 

• PhD Students' Work

  Links coming soon!

• Dr. Lusk's Work
  • Extension Publications 
  • Research Publications