HAMPTON, Va. (September 2020) — Pancopia LLC founder William Cumbie delivered the keynote address at WaterJAM 2020, the Joint Annual Meeting of the Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association (VA AWWA). The virtual conference, themed "A Clear Vision," drew thousands of water professionals from across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
Cumbie's presentation traced Pancopia's journey from NASA-funded research on water recycling for the International Space Station to groundbreaking applications in agricultural nutrient management. The keynote explored how technologies originally developed to help astronauts recycle water in space where it costs $83,000 per gallon. These technologies are now addressing pressing environmental challenges in American agriculture.
"Water professionals are stewards of the most precious resource on Earth," Cumbie told attendees. "But we cannot afford to think in silos. The innovations we need will come from applying knowledge across disciplines—from space stations to swine barns, from municipal systems to agricultural operations."
The presentation highlighted how Pancopia's biological treatment systems, developed through NASA research partnerships beginning in 2015, have evolved to address nitrogen management in livestock operations. Agricultural operations produce more than ten times the nutrient waste of human systems, and effective treatment of these nutrients represents both a significant environmental challenge and economic opportunity.
Cumbie emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving innovation, citing collaborations with NASA, Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, and major agricultural producers. "We needed a lot of help and a lot of partners," he said. "Innovation happens when we widen our view and work across traditional boundaries."
The keynote also showcased regional water innovations, including HRSD's SWIFT (Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow) program, which addresses multiple environmental challenges through advanced water treatment and aquifer recharge.
About WaterJAM
WaterJAM is Virginia's premier water industry conference, bringing together water and wastewater professionals for technical presentations, networking, and professional development. The annual conference typically draws over 2,000 attendees and features more than 200 product exhibits. The 2020 conference was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
About Pancopia
Pancopia LLC, based in Hampton, Virginia, accelerates natural processes to recover water and nutrients in animal agriculture. The company's technology originated from NASA-funded life-support systems research and is now being commercialized for agricultural applications, helping farms unlock value from their largest waste streams while reducing environmental impact. Pancopia has received two National Excellence in Technology Transfer awards from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for its work with NASA and USDA. For more information, visit www.pancopia.com.
Media Contact:
William Cumbie
Pancopia LLC
bill@pancopia.com
Hampton, Virginia
