The Environmental Protection Agency awarded MSU a grant of $600,000 on Wednesday to develop a new method for detecting harmful pathogens in drinking water.

The grant was given as part of EPA's Science to Achieve Results program. MSU was one of 10 universities nationwide to receive money to research pathogens that are found in drinking water.

Between 2001 and 2002, seven deaths were reported out of 31 waterborne disease outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The grants were issued by the EPA to help prevent such diseases, and ensure safe drinking water for the United States.