headshot of Leonard Casson

Leonard Casson

Associate Professor
casson@pitt.edu
(412) 624-9868
(412) 624-0135
Civil & Environmental Engr

overview

Leonard W. Casson, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE, ENV SP is an Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Casson received B.E. and M.S. degrees from Vanderbilt University in 1980 and 1982, respectively. He received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1987. Dr. Casson is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida and Pennsylvania. Dr. Casson is also a Board Certified Environmental Engineer (BCEE) in the specialty of Water Supply and Wastewater by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. He is also credentialed as an Envision Sustainability Professional by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

Dr. Casson’s research interests include the adsorption, fate, transport and transformation of chemicals, particles and environmental pathogens in unit operations and the natural environment. Previous research includes investigating the presence and viability of HIV and Ebola in wastewater systems. His ongoing research has focused on novel disinfection technologies, sustainability and resilience applied to water treatment/distribution systems and wastewater collection/treatment systems.

about

(2010) 2010 Water Environment Federation, Water Hero, http://wef.org/PublicInformation/page.aspx?id=140.

(2004) 2004 AWWA Management Division Best Paper Award for the paper entitled, "Utility-Based Analytical Methods to Ensure Public Water Supply Security" States, S.J., Scheuring, M., Kuchta, J., Newberry, J and Casson, L.W., Journal AWWA, Vol. 95, Issue 4, pp. 103-115, April 2003..

(2003) 2003 Outstanding Professor of the Year-Pittsburgh Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Ph.D., Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 1987

M.S., Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 1982

B.E., Civil Engineering, Vanderbilt University, 1980

Spencer-Williams, I., Theobald, A., Cypcar, C.C., Casson, L.W., & Haig, S.J. (2022). Examining the antimicrobial efficacy of granulated tetraacetylethylenediamine derived peracetic acid and commercial peracetic acid in urban wastewaters. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 94(2), e10688.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/wer.10688.

Maal-Bared, R., Sobsey, M., Bibby, K., Fitzmorris, K.B., Munakata, N., Gerba, C., Schaefer, S., Swift, J., Gary, L., Babatola, A., Bastian, R., Olabode, L., Reimers, R., Rubin, A., Kester, G., & Casson, L. (2021). Letter to the Editor regarding Mathavarajah et al. (2020) Pandemic danger to the deep: The risk of marine mammals contracting SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 773, 144855.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144855.

Bibby, K., Fischer, R.J., Casson, L.W., de Carvalho, N.A., Haas, C.N., & Munster, V.J. (2017). Disinfection of Ebola Virus in Sterilized Municipal Wastewater. PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, 11(2), e0005299.Public Library of Science (PLoS). doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005299.

Haas, C.N., Rycroft, T., Bibby, K., & Casson, L. (2017). Risks from Ebolavirus Discharge from Hospitals to Sewer Workers. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 89(4), 357-368.Wiley. doi: 10.2175/106143017X14839994523181.

Ma, X., Vikram, A., Casson, L., & Bibby, K. (2017). Centralized Drinking Water Treatment Operations Shape Bacterial and Fungal Community Structure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 51(13), 7648-7657.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00768.

Bibby, K., Casson, L.W., Stachler, E., & Haas, C.N. (2015). Ebola Virus Persistence in the Environment: State of the Knowledge and Research Needs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, 2(1), 2-6.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/ez5003715.

Bibby, K., Casson, L.W., Stachler, E., & Haas, C.N. (2015). Response to Comment on "Ebola Virus Persistence in the Environment: State of the Knowledge and Research Needs". ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, 2(2), 50-51.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5b00011.

Bibby, K., Fischer, R.J., Casson, L.W., Stachler, E., Haas, C.N., & Munster, V.J. (2015). Persistence of Ebola Virus in Sterilized Wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, 2(9), 245-249.American Chemical Society (ACS). doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5b00193.

Schultise, D.K. (2013). The developing problem in brominated organics of the pubic drinking water supply in south western Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh.

States, S., Cyprych, G., Stoner, M., Wydra, F., Kuchta, J., Monnell, J., & Casson, L. (2013). Marcellus Shale drilling and brominated THMs in Pittsburgh, Pa., drinking water. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 105(8), E432-E448.Wiley. doi: 10.5942/jawwa.2013.105.0093.

States, S., Cyprych, G., Stoner, M., Wydra, F., Kuchta, J., Monnell, J., & Casson, L. (2013). Marcellus Shale drilling and brominated THMs in Pittsburgh, Pa., drinking water. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 105(8), E432-E448.Wiley. doi: 10.5942/jawwa.2013.105.0107.

Casson, L.W., Morley, K.M., States, S.J., Watson, J.C., & Roberson, J.A. (2011). Increasing Preparedness for Water Utilities, Local Health Departments, and First Responders. Journal of Emergency Management, 9(5), 39-46.

Connell, G.F., Kapalavai, H., Casson, L.W., & Hunter, G. (2010). Disinfection Dos and Don'ts - A primer on the safe and effective handling of chemicals. Water Environment and Technology, 22(6).

Casson, L.W., & Hunter, G.L. (2008). Safety Issues in Conventional and Emerging Disinfection Systems. World Water and Environmental Engineering, 31(2).

Casson, L.W., Hunter, G., & Reimers, R.S. (2008). A Look at Disinfection Practices. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 80(8), 675-676.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1554-7531.2008.tb00243.x.

States, S., Wichterman, J., Cyprych, G., Kuchta, J., & Casson, L. (2006). A field sample concentration method for rapid response to security incidents. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 98(4), 115-121.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2006.tb07639.x.

Casson, L.W. (2005). Water and wastewater infrastructure security issues: Impacts on environmental engineering research and design. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING, 131(10), 1359.American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2005)131:10(1359).

Bess, J.W., Malley, J.P., Casson, L.W., & Sloan, J. (2004). Disinfection dawns in the twentieth century. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 96(8), 61-+.

States, S., Newberry, J., Wichterman, J., Kuchta, J., Scheuring, M., & Casson, L. (2004). Rapid analytical techniques for drinking water security investigations. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 96(1), 52-+.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2004.tb10533.x.

States, S., Scheuring, M., Kuchta, J., Newberry, J., & Casson, L. (2003). Utility-based analytical methods to ensure public water supply security. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 95(4), 103-+.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2003.tb10337.x.

States, S., Tomko, R., Scheuring, M., & Casson, L. (2002). Enhanced Coagulation and Removal of Cryptosporidium. Journal AWWA, 94(11), 67-77.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2002.tb10231.x.

States, S.J., Tomko, R., Scheuring, M., & Casson, L.W. (2002). Enhanced Coagulation and Removal of Cryptosporidium in Drinking Water Treatment. Journal AWWA, 94(11), 67-77.

States, S., Scheuring, M., Evens, R., Buzza, E., Movahed, B., Gigliotti, T., & Casson, L. (2000). Membrane filtration as posttreatment. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 92(8), 59-68.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2000.tb08993.x.

Casson, L.W., & Hoffman, K.D. (1999). HIV in Wastewater: Presence, Viability, and Risks to Treatment Plant Workers. HIV in Wastewater: Presence, Survivability, and Risk to Wastewater Treatment Plant Workers, Monograph of the Water Environment Federation.

Casson, L.W., Ritter, M.O., Cosentino, L.M., & Gupta, P. (1997). Survival and recovery of seeded HIV in water and wastewater. Water Environment Research, 69(0), 174-179.

Casson, L.W., Ritter, M.O.D., Cossentino, L.M., & Gupta, P. (1997). Survival and recovery of seeded HIV in water and wastewater. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 69(2), 174-179.Wiley. doi: 10.2175/106143097X125614.

CASSON, L.W., LAWLER, D.F., & BOGARD, D.G. (1994). SPECTRAL-ANALYSIS OF FLUID-FLOW IN OSCILLATING-GRID REACTOR. JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS-ASCE, 120(2), 346-367.American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9399(1994)120:2(346).

CASSON, L.W., SORBER, C.A., PALMER, R.H., ENRICO, A., & GUPTA, P. (1992). HIV SURVIVABILITY IN WASTE-WATER. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH, 64(3), 213-215.Wiley. doi: 10.2175/WER.64.3.4.

JAKUBOWSKI, W., SYKORA, J.L., SORBER, C.A., CASSON, L.W., & GAVAGHAN, P.D. (1991). DETERMINING GIARDIASIS PREVALENCE BY EXAMINATION OF SEWAGE. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 24(2), 173-178.IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/wst.1991.0052.

SYKORA, J.L., SORBER, C.A., JAKUBOWSKI, W., CASSON, L.W., GAVAGHAN, P.D., SHAPIRO, M.A., & SCHOTT, M.J. (1991). DISTRIBUTION OF GIARDIA CYSTS IN WASTE-WATER. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 24(2), 187-192.IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/wst.1991.0055.

Al-Yousfi, A.B., Liaghat, A., Casson, L.W., & Quimpo, R.G. (1990). Physical and chemical aspects of the Ashland oil spill. National Conference on Environmental Engineering, 875-876.

CASSON, L.W., & LAWLER, D.F. (1990). FLOCCULATION IN TURBULENT-FLOW - MEASUREMENT AND MODELING OF PARTICLE-SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS. JOURNAL AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION, 82(8), 54-68.

CASSON, L.W., SORBER, C.A., SYKORA, J.L., GAVAGHAN, P.D., SHAPIRO, M.A., & JAKUBOWSKI, W. (1990). GIARDIA IN WASTE-WATER - EFFECT OF TREATMENT. RESEARCH JOURNAL OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL FEDERATION, 62(5), 670-675.

Casson, L.W., & Lawler, D.F. (1989). Flocculation in Turbulent Flow: Measurement and Modeling of Particle Size Distributions. Fluid Particle Separation Journal, 2(2).

COHN, L.F., BOWLBY, W., & CASSON, L.W. (1983). INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS USE IN TRAFFIC NOISE MODELING. JOURNAL OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING, 109(2), 179-195.American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1983)109:2(179).

Spencer-Williams, I., Theobald, A., Cypcar, C., Casson, L., & Haig, S.J. (2020). AllA comparative study on the antimicrobial efficacy of granulated TAED (Tetraacetylethylenediamine) derived peracetic acid and commercial peracetic acid in urban wastewaters. In 93rd Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference 2020, WEFTEC 2020, (pp. 841-858).

Mathews, J., Theobald, A., Osta-Ustarroz, P., Hugill, J., Hunter, G., Burks, P., Drouhard, B., Spencer-Williams, I., Hillock, K.A., Haig, S.J., & Casson, L.W. (2019). A new international disinfectant: Using granulated TAED (tetraacetylethylenediamine) derived peracetic acid for wastewater disinfection. In WEFTEC 2019 - 92nd Annual Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference, (pp. 4124-4127).

Casson, L.W., Hunter, G.L., & Morley, K.M. (2014). Wastewater Resilience: What is it? How is it Calculated? What Does it Mean? and What is the BEST Way to Increase my Utility Resilience?. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2014(8), (pp. 134-152).Water Environment Federation. doi: 10.2175/193864714815941450.

Hunter, G., Whitby, E., Lawal, O., Kershner, K., Muller, J., Kaupenjohann, T., DaCruz, P., & Casson, L. (2013). Maintenance of Wastewater UV Systems – Ensuring Compliance. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2013(9), (pp. 5855-5869).Water Environment Federation. doi: 10.2175/193864713813715940.

Hunter, G., Whitby, E., Lawal, O., Kershner, K., Muller, J., Kaupenjohann, T., DaCruz, P., & Casson, L. (2013). Operations of Wastewater UV Systems: Keys for Success. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, 2013(9), (pp. 5870-5883).Water Environment Federation. doi: 10.2175/193864713813715968.

States, S., Casson, L., Cyprych, G., Monnell, J., Stoner, M., & Wydra, F. (2011). Bromide in the allegheny river and THMS in Pittsburgh drinking water: A link with Marcellus shale drilling. In Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2011, (pp. 266-296).

States, S., Carroll, J., Cyprych, G., Hayes, K., Kuchta, J., Little, M., Pyle, A., Stoner, M., Westbrook, C., & Casson, L. (2008). An accidental contamination event in the pittsburgh drinking water distribution system. In American Water Works Association - Water Security Congress 2008, (pp. 146-159).

States, S., Hohman, B., Westbrook, C., Stoner, M., & Casson, L. (2008). Challenge studies of the pittsburgh distribution network pilot contamination warning system. In American Water Works Association - Water Security Congress 2008, (pp. 384-405).

States, S., Stoner, M., Westbrook, C., Heza, D., & Casson, L. (2007). Development of a contamination warning system for the pittsburgh water and sewer authority. In American Water Works Association - Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition 2007: Fast Tracks to Water Quality, (pp. 1083-1098).

Battaglia, A., Pohland, F.G., Fox, P., & Casson, L.W. (1991). PITTLEACH. A numerical model of landfill stabilization. In Environmental Engineering, (pp. 12-17).

Lawler, D.F., & Casson, L.W. (1985). PARTICLE SIZES IN FLOCCULATION AND SEDIMENTATION: MODELS AND EXPERIMENTS. (pp. 727-732).

Lawler, D.F., Casson, L.W., & Wirojanagud, W. (1984). CHANGES IN PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTIONS IN CONTINUOUS-FLOW FLOCCULATION. In Proceedings - AWWA Annual Conference, (pp. 1495-1504).