Current
Current is a nonprofit water innovation hub catalyzing a circular blue economy across the Great Lakes and beyond. Since 2016, we’ve partnered with researchers, industry, and communities to solve water challenges while driving economic opportunity, protecting public/environmental health, and safeguarding our most vital national security asset: our freshwater.
In 2024, the National Science Foundation awarded us up to $160M over 10 years to lead Great Lakes RENEW—a 75+ partner coalition turning waste into wealth by recovering energy, nutrients, critical elements and water that would otherwise be flushed down the drain, all while eliminating harmful contaminants from our water resources.
Together, we’re positioning the Great Lakes region as a global hub for water innovation and industry growth—securing supply chains, attracting industry, protecting national security, and shaping a future where economic prosperity and the health of our people and environment go hand in hand.
H2NOW Partner Spotlight: Urban Rivers
Water Innovation: Derisking Piloting & Trials with Dr. Reshmina William | Third Coast Water Seminars
Global Water Tension & The Great Lakes Compact | Chicago Water Week 2025
Water Membrane Design & Innovation with Dr. Ying Li | Third Coast Water Seminars
A Practical Guide to PFAS Remediation with Dr. Ali Ling | Third Coast Water Seminars
H2NOW Chicago | Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring
Chicago Water Week 2024 | Current
Chicago Water Week Virridy's Carbon Methodology for POTW Nutrient Compliance
Chicago Water Week Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) Panel: The Future of Water Innovation
River Lab: Stem Challenges and Career Pathways
CWW2022 Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Tour
Third Coast Water Seminar: Water Surveillance for COVID-19 - A Regional Effort
Third Coast Water Seminar: The Most Potent Snowmakers
Third Coast Water Seminar: Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitrate in Drinking Water
TCWSS: Feedback Control of Water Quality Dynamics in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Water Around the World: The Digital Future for Water Utilities
H2NOW Chicago 'Who Uses The Chicago River' Vlog
H2NOW Chicago 'One River, Three Branches' Vlog
H2NOW Chicago 'Technology Explained' Vlog
Urban Bird Walk and Water Tour
Startup Chicago CleanTech Showcase with Current and Clean Energy Trust
LIFT IWEA Webinar
Remote Earth Imaging for Leak Detection and Asset Management Programs
River Lab: A Virtual Water Science Field Trip
Third Coast Water Seminar: Removing “Forever Chemicals” from Water using Polymers Derived from Corn
Chicago Water Week Signature Event: Current Celebrates 5 Years
Third Coast Water Seminar: Avoidance of Biofouling/Scaling in Reverse Osmosis/Nanofiltration Systems