Allisa Hastie

Allisa holds a B.S. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Minor in Environmental Economics and Policy. Her research there focused on the urban water-energy nexus and non-potable water reuse. One of the primary outcomes of her master’s research was an assessment of state-level water reuse regulations, revealing common patterns and gaps in this decentralized policy space. Her current work combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to identify challenges and develop solutions for water and wastewater systems in vulnerable U.S. communities. She specifically addresses issues of water affordability, tap water distrust, rural sanitation system failures, and consolidation of small drinking water systems. Her work seeks to reveal the impacts of poorly functioning infrastructure systems in vulnerable U.S. communities through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and water sampling. This work has fostered partnerships with community organizations and academic institutions nationwide allowing her to leverage her technical expertise while continuously learning from the communities she engages with.