June 20, 2008 - by Thana Dharmarajah
The Guelph Mercury

Professor Khosrow Farahbakhsh's research on rainwater harvesting received global coverage after being broadcast on CNN Wednesday.

The work of the environmental engineering professor caught the eye of a CNN producer, following a segment on the Discovery Channel nearly two months ago.

Farahbakhsh was told his work would be featured on a news program, examining solutions to global problems. Water shortfalls have occurred as a result of the severe drought in Atlanta last year and other parts of the country including Texas and New Mexico, he said.

Farahbakhsh, along with a team of researchers, have designed a household system that collects rainwater from the roof and pumps it into the home to be used to flush toilets, run the dishwasher or water the garden.

The 24-hour news broadcaster showcased Farahbakhsh's research at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday. CNN provides coverage to 212 countries and territories around the world.
Farahbakhsh hasn't seen the piece yet.
"I don't have cable," he said. "Someone at the university has taped it for me."

U of G spokesperson Deirdre Healey said Farahbakhsh has had extensive media coverage, being featured in the Globe and Mail, on CBC and the Discovery Channel. However, CNN was a first for him.
"It was a fun process, but tiring," he said, adding the three-minute on-air segment took nearly five hours to put together.
His correspondence with CNN began via e-mail to decide on shoot locations. Producers also pre-interviewed him and the camera crew took countless takes once in Guelph. "They pay a lot of attention to details," Farahbakhsh said.

The CNN crew simulated raindrops from the top of his roof with a hose and followed it through the gutter. Then there were several takes of washing laundry and dishes.
Farahbakhsh's system is being piloted in a dozen homes across the city, including his own.

"They were quite particular in which angle they wanted to show," he said.

Once the crew left his home, they headed to the co-op lodging house for university students on College Avenue, where the system is also installed.

Their next stop was one of Reid's Heritage Homes, which has incorporated his technology into a model home in Guelph's south end. It is a feature home buyers can choose when building in the subdivision.
The interview itself wasn't entirely intimidating, Farahbakhsh said, since he's extremely familiar with his research.
"Popular media isn't science-based media," he said, adding he's realized that the key for him is to explain himself in plain language.
Farahbakhsh said his research also likely drew CNN's attention as it is approachable technology.

"It's not in the corner of someone's laboratory," he said.

CNN also interviewed U of G's former vice-president of research, Alan Wildeman, last spring, when U of G scientists made a chemical discovery that explained how pets in Canada and the U.S. were affected by chemical contaminants discovered in recalled pet food products.

tdharmarajahguelphmercury.com
Used with permission from The Guelph Mercury

See the YouTube Video of the CNN broadcast
"My amazing Uncle, Khosrow Farahbakhsh"
(external link)