Requests for proposals are to be issued in summer and fall 2013 for seven new research projects being undertaken by the WateReuse Research Foundation.
The WRRF’s Board of Directors approved US$ 1.3 million to fund the new research at its March 2013 meeting in Alexandria, Virginia.
Three of the new projects are funded under the California Direct Potable Reuse Initiative, which is a partnership between the foundation and WateReuse California to support applied research, education and outreach activities that advance direct potable reuse (DPR).
The projects are:
Integrated Management of Sensor Data for Real Time Decision Making (13-01)
The objective of this project is to pull together existing data on system sensors to develop a smart water system that integrates diverse sensors within the treatment process for immediate feedback/alerts. The project also aims to develop criteria for decision-making based on established critical control-points. Budget US$ 250,000.
Model Public Communication Plan for Advancing DPR Acceptance (13-02)
The objective of this project is to establish a framework communication plan and develop an implementable, strategic communication plan to achieve DPR acceptance for the State of California. US$ 300,000.
CCP Assessment to Quantify Robustness and Reliability of Multiple Treatment Barriers of DPR Scheme (13-03)
The goals of this project are to develop best design and operational practices by evaluating critical control-points in a DPR treatment train to meet key design principles; conduct hazard assessment for key unit operations in an overall treatment train (microfiltration – reverse osmosis – ultraviolet / advanced oxidation); and develop standard design approaches and response strategies (ie, operations plan) to mitigate upset events. US$ 250,000
Challenges and Barriers to Industrial Reuse: A Path Forward for Collaboration and Growth (13-04)
The goals of this project are to provide industrial reuse stakeholders (industries, municipalities, utilities) with a review of the state of the industrial water reuse market by industrial sector and identify priority sectors and to describe a path forward for expanding growth of the industrial reuse market. US$ 175,000
Evaluation of Natural Gas to Reduce Carbon Footprint and Energy Cost for Desalination (13-05)
The objectives of this project are to develop methodology for analysis under site specific situations for feasibility; quantify greenhouse gas differences and total efficiency; and present example of findings and show how it can be applied to a utility. US$ 120,000
Methodology for Development of I&E Mitigation Program (13-06)
The objective of this project is to identify alternative methods to mitigate the impact of impingement and entrainment (I&E) on the aquatic habitat in the intake area such as development of wetlands, artificial coral reefs, kelp bed habitats etc. The project will define objective criteria that can be used to transfer the size of the aquatic habitat lost to intake operations into the size of the needed mitigation habitat; generate initial analysis and ranking of various mitigation alternatives; and prepare a step-by-step methodology for the implementation of the I&E mitigation program. US$ 100,000.
Database of Permitting Practices for Seawater Concentrate Disposal (13-07)
The objective of this project is to identify the discharge information permitting agencies need and the decision-making process they go through to permit alternative discharge methods will help desalination project proponents to focus and expedite their permitting efforts. US$ 100,000.