DENVER, CO, Feb. 15, 2005 -- Proposals for up to 19 research projects, for which $6.4 million in funding is available, are being sought by the Awwa Research Foundation (AwwaRF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science of drinking water. Requests for proposals (RFPs) for the projects will be available on the foundation's website by March 15 at www.awwarf.org.
Collectively the projects represent a wide range of topics related to the drinking water community. According to AwwaRF executive director Jim Manwaring, the 2005 research agenda reflects the input of AwwaRF subscribers and others in the water supply community. "Each year we target many of the industry's biggest challenges, based on feedback from our members, leading professionals in the field, and the results of prior research," Manwaring said. "AwwaRF research builds a body of knowledge that utilities and other water professionals can use to continuously enhance operations, improve drinking water quality, and meet customer expectations."
Proposals submitted in response to an RFP will be due in May or July, as specified in each RFP. All projects, unless otherwise indicated, must include 25% of the total project budget as in-kind or cash contribution. In-kind contributions can be in the form of labor, materials, or laboratory and other services, and may come from project participants such as water utilities, consulting firms, and universities. For each project, an appointed project advisory committee will evaluate proposals based on responsiveness to the RFP, scientific and technical merit, and qualifications of the researchers. Revised guidelines for preparing solicited proposals will be available on the website on or before the March 15 RFP release date.
A complete list of the projects for which proposals are expected to be requested is below:
-- Assessment of Inorganics Accumulation in Drinking Water System Scales and Sediments (RFP 3118)
-- Challenge Organisms for Inactivation of Viruses by Ultraviolet Treatment (RFP 3105)
-- Communicating the Value of Water (RFP 3113)
-- Critical Information Policies for Water Utilities (RFP 3106)
-- Decision Tools to Help Utilities Develop Simultaneous Compliance Strategies (RFP 3115)
-- Development of an Ultraviolet Disinfection Knowledge Base (RFP 3117)
-- Impact of the Change in Disinfectants on Lead, Brass, and Copper Components in the Distribution System (RFP 3107)
-- Improving Sample Preparation Methods for Molecular Techniques for Drinking Water Applications (RFP 3108)
-- Improving Water Utility Capital Efficiency (RFP 3119)
-- Innovative Applications of Treatment Processes for Spent Filter Backwash (RFP 3114)
-- Integrating Worker Health and Safety Into Water Utility Operation, Management, and Facility Design (RFP 3104)
-- Microbiological Degradation of Haloacetic Acids in Distribution Systems (RFP 3122)
-- Non-Uniform Internal Corrosion in Copper Piping � Monitoring Techniques (RFP 3109)
-- Performance and Metal Release of Non-Leaded Brass Meters and Fixtures (RFP 3112)
-- Revised Microscopic Particulate Analysis for Application to Groundwater Under Direct Influence Determination and Bank Filtration (RFP 3121)
-- Strategies for Controlling and Mitigating Algal Growth Within Water Treatment Plants (RFP 3111)
-- Strategies to Help Drinking Water Utilities Ensure Effective Retention of Knowledge (RFP 3120)
-- Strategy to Manage and Respond to Total Coliforms and E. Coli in the Distribution System (RFP 3116)
-- Synthesis Document on the State of Science of Molecular Techniques for Application to the Drinking Water Industry (RFP 3110)
The Awwa Research Foundation is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers. With close to 1,000 subscriber members in the U.S. and abroad, the Foundation has funded and managed more than 800 projects valued at more than $340 million.
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