Next Meeting:  TBA

Last meeting (EPA Lab in Golden, CO) included two great presentations by EPA Region 8 Laboratory on equipment and the surface water sampling that is on-going.  Really a great look at the Lab's capabilities and what they are doing.  The second presentation was equally interesting.  Kristen Keteles (EPA Region 8) sent us to the Gulf with her (through her presentation, not literally) to experience what she was doing to help characterize the oil spill.  The initial data and pictures of her days on the research ships was really inspiring (we all wish for interesting and challenging opportunities).  The CREEC Board also decided to plan and hold a CREEC workshop in March or April of 2011.  September 2010 was not going to be workable.  Further details will be provided.  25 attendees (someone did not sign in..... I know who you are!).   

CREEC

The Consortium for Research and Education on Emerging Contaminants (CREEC) is a grass-roots 501(c)(3) non-profit organization comprised of world-class scientists and stakeholders with a shared interest in the source, fate, and physiological effects of contaminants of emerging concern.  CREEC consists not only of scientists at the local, university, state, and federal level, but also has active participation from regulators, policy makers, public health workers, drinking water providers, wastewater treatment providers, and concerned citizens.  CREEC has access to broad expertise in hydrology, aquatic biology, environmental geochemistry, analytical chemistry, wastewater- and drinking-water treatment technology, wildlife toxicology, environmental policy and regulation, public education and outreach, and water system engineering. 

The complexity of emerging contaminants research requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to provide the level of understanding needed to make informed management decisions.  CREEC provides a forum to share ideas, resources, and expertise and creates a focal point for financial support and data interpretation that results in more comprehensive and cost effective EC studies.  The consortium also provides a place to discuss study results and work together to communicate those results to policy makers and the general public in a way that will facilitate understanding without unwarranted alarm.

Consortium Key Goals

• Advance the current state of knowledge of occurrence, fate, transport and ecological relevance of emerging contaminants.
• Foster interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
• Link consortium researchers with opportunities to conduct research and provide assistance.
• Provide a forum to educate and share information in an open and unbiased way.
• Coordinate and sponsor the acquisition of funding and infrastructure to conduct EC research.
• Investigate options for removal of ECs from the environment by treatment or source control.
• Advance knowledge concerning the ability to reuse waters that contain ECs.
• Synthesize and communicate the results of current and future EC research to regulators, policy makers, treatment plant operators, other scientists, and the public.
• Provide practical solutions to EC-related problems.