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Title: Water Quality Specialist
Location: Baton Rouge, LSU Campus
Strategic Goal Focus: Identify incentives and programs to place much-needed professional services in rural communities supporting local and state decision-makers and enhancing community resilience.
Hayes is engaged in working with rural water districts to help improve the operation of water treatment plants that deliver water to residential and industrial users. His work includes the use of remote sensing in municipal treatment ponds and water sources such as Bayou Lafourche. He is examining nutrient runoff from sources such as agricultural fields, golf courses and industrial operations, including sugar mills, shrimp processors and lumber mills. Hayes also is involved in the water quality extension lab that provides extension and research information pertaining to water quality issues in Louisiana.
Hayes’ work provides water treatment facilities with critical information and potential solutions to the many issues faced by small, rural treatment plants. His work can help reduce nutrient runoff thereby enhancing waterbodies across the state and help supply safe, clean drinking water to these communities.
“There’s many different sources for the various impairments we have in Louisiana waterways. Some common ones tend to be nitrates, phosphorus, nutrients from fertilizers as well as dissolved oxygen impairments. Depending on the setting, whether it’s residential, industrial or agricultural, implementing best management practices is a critical way to reduce the impairments in our waterways.”
Hayes’ research on water quality and renewable energy exemplifies Louisiana-driven innovation with global relevance, developing sustainable wastewater treatment and floating solar technologies that support rural communities while addressing worldwide environmental challenges.
