University of Massachusetts Amherst
Water and Energy Technology Center

About Us


As part of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Environmental Water and Resource Engineering program, we are committed to shaping the future of water and energy technology!

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Water and Energy Technology Center is a leading innovation hub for water treatment and purification. We bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, and established companies in a collaborative environment to develop sustainable, efficient solutions for today’s water and energy challenges.

Supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a dynamic team of experts—faculty, PhD students, and researchers from diverse disciplines—we foster groundbreaking ideas and solutions.

Above view of WET Center

Our Facility

State Map of Mass

We have the honor of calling the University of Massachusetts Amherst our home!

Our location allows us access to numerous water sources and to the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Institutions.

Our History

In 1969, Professor Tom Feng initiated a partnership with the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control (MDWPC) that led to multiple grants focused on wastewater treatment and aquatic environmental protection. This funding supported the creation of the UMass Wastewater Pilot Plant (WWPP) near the Amherst wastewater treatment plant, enabling students and researchers to test wastewater treatment at a larger scale.

Dr. Gerald Foess oversaw its construction and initial operation, managing donated treatment units and research projects from 1971. For over a decade, the WWPP conducted research on wastewater treatment processes, including nutrient removal and biological treatment, until the primary wastewater supply was discontinued in 1983. Despite diminishing usage by Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (EVE) faculty in the 1980s, the facility supported projects for Chemical Engineering, USGS, and Geotechnical Engineering.

In 2015, a revival effort led by Patrick Wittbold aimed to restore the WWPP’s functions, culminating in a restart of wastewater circulation in 2017 after more than 30 years of inactivity.

Old wet center equipment

Additional Information

The MDWPC grants were key to the early growth and success of the University of Massachusetts Environmental Engineering Program. It supported a substantial expansion of the Master’s program thereby helping to meet the growing regional and national need for environmental engineers.

In addition, the MDWPC grants were instrumental in establishing the University of Massachusetts Wastewater Pilot Plant (WWPP) on the west side of campus. With these funds, Dr. Gerald W. Foess was hired in June 1970 to serve as research coordinator for the MDWPC grants, and oversaw the design and construction of the WWPP.

Following Jerry’s departure in 1973, a series of Research Engineers were hired to help administer the MDWPC grants and to provide general laboratory assistance. Among these were Bob Pariseau, Jim Martel, Bill Evans, Kevin Sheehan and Dan Wagner.

Pre-Construction Drawings (January 1971)

Site Plans: Amherst WWTPUMass WWPP

Proposed Building: LayoutFoundation and Structural

Yard Layout: with unit detailwith sump detailwith effluent pumping station

Design Drawings for Research Building (May 1971)

Butler Buliding: PartitioningPlumbingElectrical

Pumps and pump stations:

Enpo-Cornell pump station for WW return: Installation & Maintenance Manual 1971 version1975 versionEnpo Pump brochure 1979

New Davco Unit (Dec 1973):

Concrete Pad

Modifications (June 1975):

Tank Modification

Site Plan