The Center for Drinking Water Optimization was established in October 1997 with funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water (OGWDW). The mission is to develop and provide a framework to achieve total system optimization of the nation's drinking water utilities, which will lead to maximizing public health protection.

The Center for Drinking Water Optimization will focus existing resources and incorporate emerging technologies into optimization activities that will maximize public health protection while minimizing expenditures for existing and/or additional treatment processes. The Center will serve as a centralized resource that will address optimization issues with respect to current and future regulations, and utility and consumer perspectives.