Jacobs Launches Innovation Studio for Water and Environmental Treatment Solutions

Our communities expect clean water and a healthy environment to support livelihoods and ecosystems. To address growing environmental challenges, Jacobs has launched an innovation studio focused on advanced treatability testing for contaminated land and water.

Located in Corvallis, Oregon, the studio provides a collaborative space to scale up site-specific testing and evaluate customized solutions. The work includes in-depth contaminant analysis—looking at physical and chemical properties—to determine the most efficient treatment options.

The innovation studio also supports the development of new technologies, such as advanced soil vapor sampling tools, to enhance remediation efforts. Furthermore, Jacobs is addressing contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and piloting treatment methods for emerging threats in water supplies. Performing bench-scale testing in the studio provides timely, bespoke feedback to our clients to support business-critical decision-making. This feedback drives model development and serves as an important screening step in tackling the cost-effective remediation of these challenging compounds.

Another key focus of the studio is sustainable reuse. By analyzing site-specific waste and repurposing it for local treatment applications, the team aims to reduce landfill use while contributing to long-term cleanup strategies.

“The global understanding of environmental contaminants is evolving, and we continuously challenge how we approach remediation,” says Jacobs Global Solutions Director for Remediation and Regeneration Sharon Minchak. “It’s essential to integrate sustainable reuse goals while maximizing cost efficiency for our clients. We’re excited to co-create these solutions in the studio alongside clients, vendors and academic collaborators.”

Staffed by Jacobs' environmental specialists, the studio builds on the company’s legacy in environmental science and treatment innovation. It will serve as a hub for research, testing and application across multiple markets.

An industry leader in water and environment, Jacobs delivers solutions that create a positive impact for people and the planet. Our programs include environmental cleanup and infrastructure restoration in the Great Lakes Area, the environmental planning for the U.K.’s largest water infrastructure project, Tideway, and advanced wastewater treatment such as on southern California’s Pure Water Project Las Virgenes-Triunfo.