The School has established a multi-level strategic alliance with universities, enterprises, and public institutions through an open exchange model based on creating sharing mechanisms, building sharing platforms, adhering to sharing principles, possessing shared resources, and reaping shared outcomes. This approach facilitates the rapid translation of laboratory research findings into productive forces that serve enterprises and local economies. Over the past five years, the School has completed hundreds of engineering applications in areas such as high-concentration organic wastewater treatment, safe drinking water supply technology, municipal wastewater treatment and reuse, as well as watershed risk prevention and safety assurance.

Risk Identification, Early Warning, and Decision-Making Command for Major Environmental Pollution Incidents——

Established a multi-scale environmental risk identification framework and an early warning indicator system for major environmental pollution incidents based on the PSP principle. In 2005, China's first decision-making command system was completed, with laboratory technologies playing a critical role in addressing major environmental pollution events in the country.

Treatment and Resource Recovery of High-Concentration Refractory Organic Wastewater——

Developed anaerobic treatment theories based on targeted hydrolysis and acidification of pollutants, established multi-scale ecological regulation methods, and achieved gradient biological transformation of pollutants. A variety of anaerobic treatment technologies and equipment were created and applied in nearly 100 engineering projects in industries such as pharmaceuticals, coal chemical engineering, and printing, earning two national-level awards.

Enhanced Water Treatment and Resource Recovery Technologies for Cold Regions——

To address the characteristics of northern cold regions, a dual-layer constructed wetland treatment technology was developed, enhancing sludge filtration and anaerobic treatment processes. The technology has been applied in over 20 small-town wastewater treatment projects.

Enhanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal Technologies——

Developed real-time operational control strategies for SBR systems and proposed mechanisms for shortcut biological nitrogen removal via nitrite accumulation control. The achievements were recognized with two National Science and Technology Progress Awards.

Theory and Technology of Ozone Catalytic Oxidation for Pollutant Removal——

Established a novel theory based on electrostatic and hydrogen bonding forces, linking •OH initiation and surface -OH₂⁺ formation. The migration and transformation mechanisms of ozone on catalyst surfaces and the enhancement via heterogeneous surfaces were comprehensively elucidated. The Research Findings has been applied in multiple water treatment plants across China.

Development and Application of Hybrid Membrane Processes——

Developed high-performance modified organic-inorganic composite membranes and investigated their formation mechanisms and fouling behavior. The novel hybrid membrane water treatment processes were successfully implemented in China’s first 100,000-ton/day ultrafiltration water plant, listed as a major national scientific achievement during the 11th Five-Year Plan, featured in achievement compilations, and reported on national news.

Enhanced Oxidation of Pollutants by High-Activity Intermediate Iron and Manganese——

Discovered that in-situ generated intermediate manganese valence states during oxidation exhibit strong oxidative capacity, enhancing KMnO₄'s removal of odors, heavy metals, and emerging micropollutants such as EDCs/PPCPs. Multifunctional composite agents were developed and applied in multiple water treatment plants, earning a National Technology Invention Award.

Theory of Healthy Urban Water Cycle——

Conducted extensive strategic planning studies on water environments, resources, and cycles in Shenzhen, Dalian, Beijing, and the Second Songhua River Basin, providing a foundation for sustainable urban water management.

Targeted Biological Transformation of Water Pollutants——

Utilized organic matter and diverse biomass in water as raw materials to achieve biomass conversion and energy recovery. This research has received one national-level award and four ministerial-level awards, serving as a critical foundation for realizing a healthy urban water cycle.