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Kansas State University researchers are leading a four-year, $6 million project to turn livestock wastewater into reusable water, helping protect the Ogallala Aquifer and improve sustainability in the High Plains.

The project, led by K-State engineer Prathap Parameswaran, includes partners from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Oklahoma State University, and Seward County Community College. It uses an anaerobic membrane bioreactor that treats wastewater, captures nutrients, and produces biogas for on-farm energy. The project aims to reduce freshwater use, improve waste management, and give producers cost-saving, sustainable options through strong collaboration among researchers and policymakers.

K-State agricultural economist Joe Parcell says the goal is to improve water access while creating economic value so producers are more likely to adopt the technology. “At the end of the day, it’s about finding that balance between sustainability and profitability,” he said. “If we can help producers make decisions that benefit both, we can make a real impact on how water is managed across the region.”