WERF releases 12 RFPs for projects funded under new Focus Area Program

• New online proposal submission process and two additional RFPs also announced

DENVER, CO, May 2, 2012 -- The Water Research Foundation has released Requests for Proposals (RFP) for 12 projects under its new Focus Area Program. The Foundation approved a total of $3.425 million for these projects.

Researchers interested in submitting proposals should visit our website to learn more details about each research project and submission processes. Each project has its own unique criteria and submission deadline. Below is the complete list of the Focus Area Program RFPs.

Focus Area - Hexavalent Chromium: Filling Critical Knowledge Gaps to Inform Effective Rulemaking and Customer Communication
• RFP# 4450, Impact of Water Quality on Hexavalent Chromium Removal Efficiency and Cost

Focus Area - Water Utility Infrastructure: Applying Risk Management Principles and Innovative Technologies to Effectively Manage Deteriorating Infrastructure
• RFP# 4451, Utility Risk Management Methodologies for Buried Assets with Improved Triple Bottom Line Understanding of Pipe Failures
• RFP# 4460, Practical Condition Assessment and Failure Probability Analysis of Small Diameter Ductile Iron Pipe

Focus Area - NDMA and Nitrosamines: Precursor Control, Treatment Practices, and Distribution System Operations to Achieve Regulatory Compliance
• RFP# 4452, Investigating Coagulant Aid Alternatives to PolyDADMAC Polymers
• RFP# 4461, Nitrosamine Occurrence Survey

Focus Area - Carcinogenic VOCs Contaminant Group: Filling Critical Knowledge Gaps to Inform Meaningful Regulation
• RFP# 4453, Survey of Existing VOC Treatment Installations

Focus Area - Water Utility Finances: Best Practices for Setting Rates, Financing Capital Improvements, and Achieving Public Support
• RFP# 4455, Rate Approval Process Communication Strategy and Toolkit for Legislative Bodies

Focus Area - Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Drinking Water: Improved Cost -- Benefit Analysis of Different Management Approaches
• RFP# 4456, Watershed Sources of Contaminants of Emerging Concern and Relative Risk of (Human) Exposure

Focus Area - Contaminant Risk Communication: Developing Core Messages and Engaging Critical Stakeholders
• RFP# 4457, Core Messages for Priority Contaminants of Emerging Concern
• RFP# 4463, Broadening the National Dialogue on Contaminants of Emerging Concern and Public Health

Focus Area - Improving the Effectiveness of Water Demand Forecasts and Management
• RFP# 4458, Evaluating the Effects of the Recent Economic Recession on Water Demand

Focus Area - Biofiltration: Defining Benefits, Overcoming Unintended Consequences, and Developing Utility Guidance
• RFP# 4459, Development of a Biofiltration Knowledge Base/Registry

The Foundation's Focus Area Program, which was initiated in 2011, is based on broadly relevant subscriber issues to be solved with a targeted, multi-year research response. Sixty percent of the Foundation's annual research budget is allocated to the Focus Area Program. The initial projects selected for funding were approved at the April 10−11 meeting of the Focus Area Council (FAC) which oversees the Focus Area Program on behalf of the Foundation's Board of Trustees. The FAC is comprised of utility representatives with a broad understanding of the drinking water community's most critical issues and research needs.

New Online Proposal Submission Process
The Foundation is excited to offer online submission for 2012 Focus Area Program proposals. This site will be open to submissions by May 7. The new online proposal submission process will be simpler and less resource-intense for both researchers and Foundation staff. It will simplify proposal intake and distribution to our Project Advisory Committees (PACs), helping facilitate more timely proposal review and selection. The online process is also a more environmentally friendly approach. Stay tuned for more information about this new process coming soon.

Two Additional RFPs released
RFP # 4387, Development of a Water Utility Handbook on EDCs/PPCPs for Public Outreach funded under the EDC/PPCP Strategic Initiative Program is now open. The new online proposal submission process will be utilized for this RFP.

RFP # 4430, Developing Contaminant Warning Systems for Intelligent Distribution Systems funded under the Emerging Opportunities is also available. The new online submission process will not be utilized for this RFP.

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