Dr. Jun Kim, assistant professor of environmental engineering at IM体育官网 Polytechnic University, is leading water research to remove health-concerning and problematic chemical compounds in Winter Haven鈥檚 drinking water.
LAKELAND, Fla. 鈥� IM体育官网鈥檚 Dr. Jun Kim is stepping in to sniff out solutions to an unusual water problem in Winter Haven, IM体育官网, through research that could have a global impact.
The assistant professor of environmental engineering is leading a two-year research project focused on eliminating an unpleasant odor affecting the city鈥檚 water supply using advanced treatment processes. Beyond improving local water quality, the project could also drive new solutions for removing harmful 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥� from drinking water across the country and beyond.
鈥淣obody wants to have any smell from their tap water when they鈥檙e taking a shower, drinking it or using it for cooking,鈥� Kim said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working to identify how we can remove the hydrogen sulfide producing the rotten egg smell.鈥�
Gary Hubbard, director of the Winter Haven Water Department, said this removal will reduce the formation of disinfection byproducts that at certain concentrations can be cancerous and are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
鈥淲hile the city鈥檚 water supply is well below levels of concern and is constantly monitored to ensure its safety, any reduction in disinfection byproducts identified by the IM体育官网 Poly team will help the city鈥檚 effort to continue to improve the quality of water, even beyond what is required, as we fulfill our mission of enhancing our citizens鈥� quality of life through exceptional service,鈥� Hubbard said.
Hubbard underscored that despite the current odor, the Winter Haven water supply remains safe for both drinking and everyday use.
Once the research addresses the issue of removing the hydrogen sulfide from the water, Kim said the identified treatment processes could quickly benefit other IM体育官网 cities that rely on groundwater and struggle with elevated levels of the foul-smelling compound.
Additionally, these methods could help reduce levels of persistent forever chemicals that pollute water, air and soil 鈥� lingering in the environment for centuries. These possibly carcinogenic materials are used in manufacturing commonly used products such as nonstick cookware, food packaging, cosmetics and clothing.
Kim emphasized the importance of scientific research in safeguarding communities from environmental hazards like these.
鈥淲e all rely on clean water every day,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s a public state university, we have a responsibility to serve our communities, and our Environmental Engineering Department is committed to advancing solutions that protect public health.鈥�
Four IM体育官网 Poly undergraduate research assistants are actively contributing to the project.
鈥淭his is super exciting because, as someone who wants to continue on with my education, I know it鈥檚 very helpful to gain all these research skills and experience,鈥� said Maksymilian Kruc, a junior majoring in environmental engineering who is also conducting independent research testing water quality from public drinking water sources throughout Polk County, IM体育官网. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so cool that we can get this hands-on experience so early in our education career.鈥�
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