William Wright
Professor, Grad Program Coordinator
Ph.D., P.E.

• Registered Civil Engineer, State of California, License No. 46361.
• Certified Master Modeler using WaterCAD for water distribution systems.
• Certified Emergency Services Safety Assessment Evaluator – Civil Engineer (water & wastewater systems) -- California. ID # 77784.
  

• CE 85 Introduction to Civil Engineering
• CE 144 Design of Water Quality Control Processes
• CE 240 Introduction to Urban & Industrial Water Systems

Environmental Engineering

Media Article

• Fresno Bee Newspaper (Feb. 14, 2015) Front-page article titled “Leftovers get new life” by Hannah Furfaro reporting on Fresno State Project Director William Wright’s food waste to bioplastics research project. Internet version: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education/article19535064.html  

Journal Articles Reviewed

• “ ORP slope and Feast-Famine strategy as the basis of the control of a Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor treating winery wastewater” for Assoc. Editor Dr. Ahmet Rifat Özdural for the Bioengineering Journal (Second Review, June 19, 2012).
•  “ORP slope and Feast-Famine strategy as the basis of the control of a Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor treating winery wastewater” for Assoc. Editor Dr. Ahmet Rifat Özdural for the Bioengineering Journal (April 20, 2012).
• “The Effect of Feeding Patterns on the Performance of Activated Sludge Systems” for Editor Dr. Say Leong Ong for Water Environment Research (October 10, 2010).
• “Evaluation of On-site Wastewater Disposal Systems in Mississippi Coastal Areas” for Editor Dr. Rao Surampalli for Environmental Engineering Science (July 10, 2010).
•  “Effect of CO₂ on Oxidation of 1,2-Dichloroethane by Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10” for Editor Dawn Densmore for Environmental Engineering Science (revised manuscript, June 2009).
•  “Effect of CO₂ on Oxidation of 1,2-Dichloroethane by Xanthobacter autotrophicus GJ10” for Editor Dawn Densmore for Environmental Engineering Science (first manuscript, Feb. 2009).
• “Periodic Operation of Biofilters: Simulation and Experimental Results” for Editor Prof. Dr. Želimir Kurtanjek for the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly (April/May 2007).
• “Long-term performance of peat biofilters treating ethyl acetate, toluene, and its mixture in air” for Editor Prof. James D. Bryers for Biotechnology & Bioengineering (June/July 2006).
• “Removal of p-xylene from an air stream in a hybrid biofilter” for Editor Merv Fingas for the Journal of Hazardous Materials (September 2005).
• “Recent developments in biological waste gas purification in Europe” for Editor Dan Chang for the Chemical Engineering Journal (December 2004).
• Reviewed article on biofiltration for Editor Robert G. Arnold of the Journal of Environmental Engineering (May 1996).

• Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, 2000
• M.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis, 1995
• B.S., Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 1986
• A.S., Chemistry, Yuba Community College, Marysville, California, June 1982 

• Cal-Trans/ U.C. Davis, CA, Engr. Assist. (Summer 1996). Storm water quality data analysis.
• ECO:LOGIC, Roseville, CA, Engr. Assist. (Summer 1994): Wastewater facility planning, Clearlake Oaks, CA.
• Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers, Los Angeles, CA, Staff Civil Engineer (1986 - 1991): Modernization and expansion of the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• Cal-Trans, San Francisco, CA, Engr. Assist. (Summer 1984):  Project Development (Highways

• American Society of Civil Engineers
• California Water Environment Association
• Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society)
  

Journal Articles

Chung, J., Rittmann, B.E., Wright, W.F., and Bowman, R.H. (2007) “Simultaneous Bio-reduction of Nitrate, Perchlorate, Selenate, Chromate, Arsenate, and Dibromochloropropane Using a Hydrogen-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactor,” Biodegradation, 18:199–209.

Wright, W.F. (2005) “Transient Response of Vapor-Phase Biofilters.” Chemical Engineering Journal, 113: 161-173.

Wright, W.F., E.D. Schroeder, D.P.Y. Chang (2005) “Transient Response of Flow-Direction-Switching Vapor-Phase Biofilters.” J. Environ. Eng., ASCE. 131(7): 999-1009.

Wright, W.F., Schroeder, E.D., Chang, D.P.Y. (2005). “Regular Transient Loading Response in a Vapor-Phase Flow-Direction-Switching Biofilter.” J. Environ. Eng., ASCE 131(12). 1649-1658.

Wright, W.F., E.D. Schroeder, D.P.Y. Chang, & K. Romstad. (1997) “Performance of a Pilot-Scale Compost Biofilter Treating Gasoline Vapor.” Journal of Environ. Eng., ASCE, 123(6): 547-555.

Conference Articles & Abstracts

Jackson, A. and Wright, W.F., “Effects of Magnesium Oxide and Zeolite Catalysts on the Pyrolysis of High Density Polyethylene Waste Plastic.” Proceedings, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in the Student Honors Program Cohort 2. California State University, Fresno. Spring 2017.

Wright, W.F. “Biodegradable Plastic from Food Waste.” Annual Central California Research Symposium. Fresno State April 22, 2015 (abstract published). Expanded version presented one-week later to Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering faculty on April 29, 2015.

Wright, W.F. “Occurrence and Management of Geosmin Taste and Odor in a Municipal Water Supply in California’s Central Valley.” Calif.-Nev. Section, Americ. Water Works Assoc. Fall Conf., San Diego, California, October, 2012 (abstract & PowerPoint presentation published).

Garcia, S., Wright, W.F. “Providing Affordable Wastewater Treatment with Environmental Benefits to Small, Rural Disadvantaged Communities.” Annual Central California Research Symposium. Fresno State April 6, 2011 (abstract published).

Wright, W.F. “Screening of Methods for Removing Geosmin at a Municipal Water Plant in California’s Central Valley.” Annual Central California Research Symposium. Fresno State April 6, 2011 (abstract published).

Teng, Z.(J); Wright, W.F., deHaai, A. (2007) “Factorial design analysis and equilibrium study for adsorption of geosmin on granulate activated carbon.” Proc. California Nevada American Water Works Association, Spring 2007 conference in Las Vegas, NV (Abstract published) April 17-20.

Wright, W.F., Bowman, R.H., Chung, J., Rittmann, B.E. (2006) “Bench and pilot-scale testing of a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor for economical treatment of nitrate in contaminated groundwater” Proc. Groundwater Resources Association of California - Nitrate in California’s Groundwater: Are We Making Progress? April 2006 (Poster presentation; Paper distributed as a handout; Abstract published).

Rittmann, B.E., Chung, J., Wright, W.F., and Bowman, R.H. (2005) “Remediation of perchlorate and other co-contaminants using the hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor.” Proc. American Chemical Society Annual Conference, Washington D.C. August 28-September 1, 2005.

Wright, W.F. (2005) “Dairy manure particle size distribution, properties, and implications for manure handling and treatment” Proc. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Annual International Meeting, Tampa, Florida. July 17-20, 2005.

Wright, W.F. (2005) “Defining manure solid-liquid separation unit efficiency” Proc. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Annual International Meeting, Tampa, Florida. July 17-20, 2005.

Wright, W.F., Bowman, R.H., Chung, J., Rittmann, B.E. (2005) “Economical nitrate reduction for contaminated drinking water sources using hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor.” Proc. American Water Works Association 2005 Annual Conference, June 2005.

Wright, W.F. (2004)  “Transient response of flow-direction-switching biofilters.” Proc., 2004 Conference on Biofiltration for Air Pollution Control, University of Southern California, The USC Center for Sustainable Cities, and the Reynolds Group, Redondo Beach CA, October 19 to 22, 2004. ed. J. Devinny, 115-124. 

Wright, W.F., E.D. Schroeder, & D.P.Y. Chang. “Characterization of regular transient loading response of a flow-direction-switching vapor-phase biofilter.”  Proc., 1998 Conference on Biofiltration, University of Southern California and the Reynolds Group, Tustin, CA, eds. D.S. Hodge and F.E. Reynolds, 143 - 152. 

Romstad, K., J.H. Scarano, W.F. Wright, & E.D. Schroeder. “Performance of a full-scale compost biofilter treating gasoline vapor.”  Proc., 1998 Conference on Biofiltration, University of Southern California and the Reynolds Group, Tustin, CA, eds. D.S. Hodge and F.E. Reynolds, 25 - 32.

Wright, W.F., E.D. Schroeder, & D.P.Y. Chang. “Characterization of regular transient loading response of a flow-direction-switching vapor-phase biofilter.” Proc., 91^st Annu. Meeting and Exhibition of the Air & Waste mgmt. Assn., Paper No. 98-WAA-07P, San Diego, CA. (Poster presentation)

Kinney, K.A., W.F. Wright, D.P.Y. Chang, & E.D. Schroeder. (1998) “Biodegradation of vapor-phase contaminants.” Chapter in Bioremediation: Principles and Practice, eds. S.K. Sikdar & R.L. Irvine, Technomic Publishing Co., Inc., Lancaster, PA, 1: 601-632.

Wright, W.F., Y. Davidova, E.D. Schroeder, D.P.Y. Chang, K. Romstad, & S. Weigel. “Performance of a compost biofilter treating gasoline from a soil vapor extraction operation.” Proc., 1995 Conference on Biofiltration, University of Southern California and the Reynolds Group, Tustin, California, eds. D.S. Hodge and F.E. Reynolds, 19-43.

Technical Reports

Longley, K, Mizuno, W. and Wright, W.F. (2020) Optimal Use of Vapor Compression Desalination in Conjunction with Ion Exchange for the Treatment of Agricultural Drainage Water. Research Report. Agreement No. 4600011310. April 2020.

Wright, W.F., Salinity Management at the Fresno/Clovis Regional Water Reclamation Facility Phase I Report – Desalination Technology Review and Recommendations for Pilot Testing. Prepared for the City of Fresno by Fresno State’s Lyles college of Engineering. May 29, 2018.

Wright, W.F. “Final Project Report: Investigation of PHA Bio-Plastic Resin Generated from Agricultural Food Production Waste.” California State University Agricultural Research Institute. November 30, 2015. Web site publication.

Wright, W.F., Liu, L. and Pasha, F. (2013) Report on Student Interest in a Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Option in the Civil Engineering Graduate Program. Published on the WREE information resources Web site and advertised to more than 150 water professionals in the Fresno/ Clovis region. The report was also submitted to California State University Fresno. 

Pasha, F. Liu, L. and Wright, W.F. (2013) Enrollment, Graduates, & Employment in Water Resources & Environmental Engineering – A Literature Review. Published on the WREE information resources Web site and advertised to more than 150 water professionals in the Fresno/ Clovis region. The report was also submitted to California State University Fresno. 

Wright, W.F., Liu, L. and Pasha, F. (2013) Report on Employer Interest in a Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Option in the Civil Engineering Graduate Program. Published on the WREE information resources Web site and advertised to more than 150 water professionals in the Fresno/ Clovis region. The report was also submitted to California State University Fresno. 

Wright, W.F., deHaai, A., Teng, J. (2007) “Options for Removing Geosmin at the Clovis Surface Water Plant, Feasibility Report.

Part 1 of 3:  “Study Parameters and Initial Screening of Potential Treatment Processes.” Report submitted to the City of Clovis, CA, on July 9, 2007.

Part 2 of 3:  “Performance Evaluation of GAC, PAC, O₃/H₂O₂, and UV/H₂O₂” Report submitted to the City of Clovis, CA, on July 20, 2007.

Part 3 of 3:  “Feasibility Evaluation of the Most Promising Treatment Processes -- GAC, O₃/H₂O₂, and UV/H₂O₂.” Report submitted to the City of Clovis, CA, on June 29, 2007.

Wright, W.F., Stratman, T., Yang, A. (2005). “Comparison of powdered and granular adsorbent materials for removal of geosmin in the Clovis area surface water supply,” Report submitted to Provost & Pritchard Engineering Group for presentation to the City of Clovis.

Bowman, R., Wright, W., Rittmann, B., Chung, J (2004). “Economical Nitrate Reduction From Drinking Water Sources.” Interim Progress Report for the Small Business Innovation Research Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Phase I Grant No. 2004-33610-14413).  Applied Process Technology, Inc., in cooperation with Northwestern University (Dr. Bruce Rittmann) and California State University at Fresno.

Wright, W.F. “Investigate the nature of dairy manure particles, their impact on treatability, treatment design, & fate of residual constituents of concern.” Final project report submitted to the California Water Institute. July 31, 2004. Length: 67-pages plus attachments (data analysis).

Other Publications

Fresno State Magazine (Fall 2015) “From Food Waste to Bioplastic” by Erika Castanon reporting on the food waste to bioplastics research project. Fresno State Project Director William Wright and student research assistant Mike Nunes were among those who were interviewed. It was one of the top 15 fresnostatenews.com stories for 2015. Article link: http://www.fresnostate.edu/magazine/bioplastics/

Fresno Bee Newspaper front-page article titled “Leftovers get new life” by Hannah Furfaro reporting on Fresno State Project Director William Wright’s food waste to bioplastics research project. Internet version: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/education/article19535064.html 

Wright, W.F., Larralde, J. (2010 to 2015) Master in Civil Engineering Graduate Student Handbook. Updated and published annually by the Department of Civil & Geomatics Engineering, California State University, Fresno.

Wright, W.F., Larralde, J. (2012 to 2015) Master in Civil Engineering Student Outcomes Assessment Plan (SOAP). Updated and published annually by the Department of Civil & Geomatics Engineering, California State University, Fresno.

Wright, W.F., (2012 to 2015) Master in Civil Engineering Program Assessment Report to the Provost. Prepared and published annually by the Department of Civil & Geomatics Engineering, California State University, Fresno.

Wright, W.F., Liu, L. and Pasha, F. (2013) Proposal for a Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Option in the Civil Engineering Graduate Program. The option was approved by California State University Fresno President Joseph Castro in the fall of 2013.

• Ion exchange softening of agricultural tailwater as pretreatment to desalination.
• Recovery of plant nutrients from agricultural tailwater
• Desalination of municipal wastewater effluent.
• Conversion of agricultural waste to marketable products (e.g., activated carbon, bioplastics, and biochar)
• Manure management including digestion/ fermentation and production of low-carbon biogas.
• Removal of taste and odor compounds, nitrate, and salinity from drinking water sources.
• Removal of nitrate from drinking water.
• Vapor-phase biofiltration --an air pollution control technology that utilizes microorganisms to degrade volatile contaminants.