One Water Living Learning Laboratory

All Water is Valuable

San Diego State University is at the forefront of tackling water issues like drought, flooding, and contamination. The One Water Living Learning Laboratory is where SDSU will train the region's future water professionals and share their work with the community.

About the Laboratory

Innovative Experts

Hands-On Student Experiences

Public Engagement

About the OWLLL

For the San Diego River and Beyond

Shaping the future of water science and education

Scheduled to open in 2026, the 480 square foot building and outdoor space serves as a workforce training facility and outreach center, addressing water quality, stormwater treatment and water reuse with innovative technologies.

Support OWLLL

SDSU water experts are proven partners in creating sustainable solutions

Purpose-Driven InnovatorsNatalie MladenovOWLLL principal investigator and professor of environmental engineeringWe have the technologies to treat all water types — including wastewater or stormwater that runs off from the landscape — to make it clean water that's safe enough for drinking. And it's all connected.

OWLLL Affiliated Faculty

SDSU researchers lead water projects that benefit communities in San Diego, Tijuana and worldwide.

Real-time water quality sensors prove effective in Tijuana River Estuary

How to recover resources from wastewater? Let's try using bacteria

Hassan Davani and a student work on a presentation about their research

Mitigating stormwater flooding with groundwater infrastructure

Applying Knowledge in the Field

America is the epitome of the flush and forget system.

Lily Astete Vasquez '25

She's designed a sustainable toilet alternative with new ways of treating wastewater

Students at all levels have opportunities to pursue ideas and develop skills they will need as transformative hydrologists, environmental engineers and policymakers.

Students in Matthew Verbyla's lab prepare for an experiment

Students test new methods for tracing water contamination

Scholarship opens door to new career path for Indigenous scholar

For the Community

Water Education for All

Showcasing new tools and actions to solve water challenges

The OWLLL will offer opportunities for the public and K-12 students to learn about the latest technologies for addressing water scarcity and contamination and how they can make a difference.

Contact Us

Get in touch to see how you can get involved with the OWLLL.

Email [email protected]

Thank you to our generous supporters!

Funds for OWLLL have been provided by the San Diego River Conservancy.