DENVER, Colo., Jan. 21, 2016 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At its January 15 meeting, the Water Research Foundation’s (WRF) Board of Trustees (BOT) approved $3.64 million to fund WRF’s research programs and activities in 2016. This research allocation will be significantly leveraged with partnership funding and in-kind support increasing the total amount of resources dedicated to WRF’s extensive research agenda this year. The portion of research funding allocated to the three research programs will be distributed as follows:
- The Focus Area Program (60% of WRF’s total research program budget) identifies a limited number of broadly relevant subscriber issues and solves them with a targeted, multi-year research response. Approximately $2.17 million has been allocated to this program for 2016.
- The Emerging Opportunities Program (20%) enables WRF to respond quickly to emergent subscriber challenges and research ideas identified throughout the year. Approximately $723 thousand has been allocated to this program for 2015.
- The Tailored Collaboration Program (20%) enables WRF to partner with utility subscribers on research that may be more limited or regional in impact. Approximately $723 thousand has been allocated to this program for 2015.
The Board also reaffirmed WRF’s One Water strategy to support effective management of water from all sources and for all uses. In doing so, the Board allocated $250 thousand for a wastewater-related planning workshop and research project based on the findings from that workshop.
Additionally, the Board voted to maintain 10 existing focus areas under WRF’s Focus Area Program; adding 1, for a total of 11. The Focus Areas support WRF’s One Water strategy, encompassing drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and/or reuse.
The new focus area added in 2016 is “Cyanobacterial Blooms and Cyanotoxins: Monitoring, Control, and Communication Strategies.” The research conducted under this Focus Area will help utilities prepare for cyanobacterial blooms by developing practical monitoring methodologies, cost-effective control strategies, and communication resources.
In announcing the research funding, Denise Kruger, Board Chair, said, “The Water Research Foundation is celebrating its 50thanniversary in 2016. WRF’s mission throughout those 50 years has been to advance the science of water by delivering trusted, cutting-edge research. The BOT’s recent funding decisions reaffirm our commitment to our mission, and One Water, now and throughout the next 50 years.”
About the Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation is an internationally recognized leader in sponsoring research that supports the water community in holistically and cooperatively managing water from all sources to meet social, environmental, and economic needs. WRF’s research provides reliable and relevant solutions to the most critical challenges facing the water community today and into the future. Founded in 1966, WRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has sponsored nearly 1,500 research projects valued at $500 million, and serves more than 1,000 subscribing organizations. For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
