Grant

1. Identify and categorize extreme events (e.g., flooding, wildfires, freezing events, storms, and other relevant events) that impact distribution systems and assess their implications for system performance and water quality.
2. Evaluate system characteristics that increase vulnerability, including depressurization, pipe leakage and aging infrastructure, equipment or power failures, electrical grid dependencies, and limited source water availability or treatment constraints.
3. Characterize chemical, microbiological, and other contaminants that may affect a distribution system following an extreme event.
4. Examine how extreme events influence treatment processes and operational conditions during system recovery, including the need to adjust treatment dosing under non-ideal startup conditions.
5. Evaluate approaches for restoring system integrity and water quality during system recovery.
6. Assess the criteria used by utilities and regulators to determine when normal operations can safely resume. Review and compare public notification practices, including boil water advisories, do-not-drink notices, and do-not-use notices with respect to the conditions required to lift these advisories.
7. Identify and evaluate monitoring, sampling, and analytical strategies; relevant data sources; and available state and federal support programs that support quicker response time and decision making during system recovery.
8. Synthesize best practices and develop practical guidance, including decision-making frameworks, to support utilities in safely restoring distribution system operations and improving resilience to future extreme events.

WRF RFP Contact: Grace Jang, PhD

For instructions on how to submit proposals, refer to these instructions or this video.

The Potential Participants listed at the bottom of this page have indicated interest in participating in this research. This information is updated frequently as utilities are encouraged to volunteer throughout the RFP cycle.