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Research Overview
Dr. Robin Collins is currently a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director of the EPA funded Water Treatment Technology Assistance Center and a member of the Environmental Research Group at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Collins has conducted research in cooperation with numerous funding agencies by characterizing natural organic matter and disinfection by-product precursor removals from selected water treatment processes including slow sand filtration, direct filtration, diatomaceous earth filtration, riverbank filtration, membrane filtration and conventional treatment. He has worked with numerous public water suppliers and consulting engineers nationwide in evaluating and piloting several filtration options, especially slow sand filtration. He has also co-organized three international research conferences and two regional workshops on slow sand filtration. His current research interests have focused on water treatment technologies for small systems involving innovative adsorptive media for arsenic removal, disinfection by-product precursor and pathogen reductions by biological filtration, and development of engineering training modules for selected non-traditional technologies.
Selected Research Projects
- Assessing the Role of Schmutzdecke in Microbial Removals by Riverbank and Slow Sand Filtration
- Assessing the Influence of Various Regeneration Variables on Radium Contaminated Ion-Exchange Resins
- Evaluating Temperature and Intermittency Influences on Microbial Removals by Slow Sand Filters
- Assessing Zero-Valent-Iron (ZVI) for Arsenic Removals
- Evaluating Metal Coating to Enhance Filtration Performance
- Assessing Microbial Removals from Various Membrane Configuration & Operating Conditions
Recent Publications
- M.R. Collins. “Common Faux Pas in Piloting, Designing, and Operating Slow Sand Filters” in Sustainable and Safe Drinking Water in Developing and Developed Countries. Edited by P. Singer, UNH, Chapel Hill. (2009)(In Press).
- V. Partinoudi, M.R. Collins & G. Smith. “Assessing Water Quality from the Riverbank Filtration Pumping Study in Manchester, NH” Proceedings of 13th Canadian National Drinking Water Conference, Quebec City, Quebec, (2009). (In Press).
- M. Unger & M.R. Collins, “Assessing E.coli Removal in the Schmutzdecke of Slow-rate Biofilters,” Jour. AWWA:100:12:60, (2008).
- V. Partinoudi & M.R. Collins, “Assessing Riverbank Filtration Removal Mechanisms,” Jour. AWWA:99:12:61, (2007).
- P.G. Pope, G.E. Speitel, Jr & M.R. Collins. “Kinetics of Dihaloacetic Acid Formation during Chloramination,” Jour. AWWA:98:11:107, (2007).
- P.G. Pope, M. Martin-Doole, G.E. Speitel Jr & M.R. Collins, “Relative Significance of Factors Influencing DXAA Formation during Chloramination”. Jour. AWWA:99:9:144, (2007).
- H. Dopfer, D. Burt, M.J. Bailly & M.R. Collins. “Assessing In-situ Regenerable Filter Media for Enhancing NOM Removals.” Proceedings of the AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE), in Toronto, Ontario. (2007).
- B.D. Jobb, W.B. Anderson, M.R. Collins, and R.A. LeCraw, 2007. “Removal of Emerging Contaminants and Pathogens Using Modified Slow Sand Filtration: An Overview.” Proceedings of the AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE), in Toronto, Ontario. (2007).
- Recent Progress in Slow Sand Filtration and Alternative Biofiltration Processes. Edited by R.Gimbel, N.J.D. Graham & M.R. Collins. IWA Publishing, London, UK, (2006).
- V. Partinoudi, M. Martin-Doole, P.L. Dwyer & M.R. Collins. “Assessing Temperature Influences on Slow Sand Filtration Treatment Performance.” Proceedings of the AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition, in San Antonio, TX. (2006).
- M. Unger & M.R. Collins. “Assessing the Role of the Schmutzdecke in Pathogen Removal in Riverbank and Slow Sand Filtration.” Recent Progress in Slow sand Filtration and Alternative Biofiltration Processes, Editors R.Gimbel, N.J.D. Graham and M.R. Collins, IWA Publishing, London, UK. (2006).
Teaching Interests
Drinking water treatment processes, water chemistry, public health engineering, on-site wastewater disposal systems, environmental pollution and control.
Professional Licenses
Professional Engineering Licenses in Kansas, Virginia, and Wyoming.
Biography
- Ph.D., 1985, University of Arizona, Civil Engineering
- M.S., 1972, Virginia Tech, Sanitary Engineering
- B.S., 1970, Virginia Tech, Civil Engineering with Distinction
Experience as a Faculty Member, Department of Civil-Engineering, UNH
Director, Water Treatment Technology Assistance Center, 1999- Present
Professor, 1997-present
Associate Professor, 1991-1997
Assistant Professor, 1985-1991
Other Related Experiences
Research & Teaching Assistant, 1982-1985, University of Arizona
Private Consultant, 1982, Western Design Consultants, Lander, WY
District Engineer, 1979-1982, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Lander, WY
District Engineer, 1975-1978, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Chanute, KS
Sanitary Engineer, 1972-1975, U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, Fort Riley, KS
Co-op Engineering Student, 1967-1970, Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern, Roanoke, VA
Honors and Awards
2005 American Water Works Association Academic Achievement Award – Major Advisor – 1st Place Best Thesis
1998 American Water Works Association Academic Achievement Award – Major Advisor – 1st Place Best Thesis
1996 Association of Environmental Engineering Professors Distinguished Service Award
1994 University of New Hampshire Excellence in Public Service Award
1993 American Water Works Association Academic Achievement Award – Major Advisor – 1st Place Best Thesis
1990 American Water Works Association Academic Achievement Award – Major Advisor – 1st Place Best Thesis
1986 American Water Works Association Academic Achievement Award – 2nd Place Best Dissertation
1975 U.S. Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service
Phi Kappa Phi – National University Honor Society
Tau Beta Pi – National Engineering Honor Society
Chi Epsilon – National Honorary Civil Engineering Fraternity
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