WRF funds 26 new water research projects worth $5.9 billion

(UI) – The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking volunteer participants for 26 new research projects funded through WRF's Research Priority Program. This strategic research program enables WRF to address broadly relevant subscriber issues, challenges, and opportunities with targeted research.

Utilities and subject matter experts are invited to get involved with these new projects as participating utilities or Project Advisory Committee (PAC) members. Utilities can serve as test facilities, provide samples, respond to surveys, loan equipment, or share staff expertise on research projects of interest.

Each project will also have a volunteer PAC, which will oversee the project, providing technical review to ensure the project is scientifically valid and beneficial to the water community. The 2024 PAC application deadline for the funded projects is June 24. Learn more about these opportunities to participate in research on WRF’s website.

WRF anticipates releasing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for these projects in early September, which were prioritized and approved by WRF’s Research Advisory Council. This diverse selection of One Water research projects, listed below, will benefit all areas of the water sector. Information on project objectives can be found on WRF’s Advance Notice webpage.

The projects funded through the 2024 Research Priority Program are:

• Technology Readiness of Regeneration and Disposal Options for PFAS-Laden Drinking Water Treatment Residuals, Spent Media, and Associated Waste Streams ($300,000)
• Identification and Valuation of Various Biosolids Products beyond Cake & Dried Material ($180,000)
• Method Refinement and Standardization for Microplastics Sample Collection and Analysis ($325,000)
• Tradeoffs Between Process Optimization, GHG Mitigation, and Energy Efficiency ($200,000)
• Thinking Outside the Pipe: Comparison of Non-invasive, Non-destructive Condition Assessment Technologies for Distribution Pipe ($250,000)
• The Emergence of AI in the Water Sector: Opportunities and Challenges for Water Resources Planning ($175,000)
• Next Generation Analytical Methods for Biological Nutrient Removal Process Understanding, Troubleshooting, and Control ($250,000)
• Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement Costs Guide ($150,000)
• Comprehensive Corrosion Control Strategies for Various Water Infrastructure Materials ($350,000)
• Data Management Best Practices: Preparing and Integrating Data Sources for Treatment Optimization and Efficiency Projects ($250,000)
• Balancing Human and Natural Assets in a One-Water, Integrated Water Resource Management Framework ($200,000)
• Smart and Connected Energy Management ($150,000)
• Implementing Smart Sewer System to Optimize Capacity to Reduce Surface Flooding and Sewer Overflows ($200,000)
• Benchmark Microbial and Chemical Contamination in Source Water using Hyperspectral Microscopy ($250,000)
• Assessment of Corrosion Control Treatment (CCT) Pipe Rig Study Data Compared to Distribution System Lead Levels ($150,000)
• Recognizing Institutional and Organizational Capacity for Effective Workforce Development Programs ($200,000)
• Integrating Requirements, Drivers, and Technologies for Enhanced Distribution System Water Quality Monitoring ($350,000)
• What Does Growth Pays for Growth Mean? Understanding the Practices, Policy, and Impact of System Development Fees ($175,000)
• Integrating Equitable Outcomes into Diversifying and Alternative Water Projects ($200,000)
• Optimizing Nature-based Solutions at the Watershed Scale with Real-time Sensing and Controls ($300,000)
• Operationalizing and Measuring the Benefits of Nature-based Solutions to Inform Decisions in a Changing Climate ($250,000)
• The Foundations of Water Resources Planning: Establishing Water Utility Service Level Standards, State of the Field and Guidance ($175,000)
• Investigating Progression Pathways Across the Water Workforce ($200,000)
• Assessing Changing Salinity in Water Sources (aka Let's Get Salty) ($150,000)
• Developing a Protocol for Evaluating Pathogen Concentrations in Secondary Effluent ($200,000)
• “Head-to-Head-to-Head" GHG Measurement Comparisons: Plant-wide and Process-specific Quantification Methods Evaluation ($350,000)

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