Available Grants

• Assess the scalability, operational feasibility, and economic viability of emerging reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC)/brine minimization and minimal liquid discharge (MLD) technologies across diverse California conditions, including energy demand, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, regulatory requirements, and regional variability in source water quality.
• Identify practical pathways for technology adoption by evaluating trade-offs, early-adopter case studies, implementation bottlenecks, and future research needs to guide utilities and regulators.

WRF RFP Contact: Jessica Metcalf, ENV, SP

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.

• Demonstrate that ultrafiltration (UF) systems achieve creditable virus removal.
• Identify and evaluate reliable surrogates for ongoing monitoring to support virus removal credit for UF systems.

WRF RFP Contact: Monica Lee-Masi, 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.

• Develop a clear framework to guide the identification and evaluation of viable reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) management strategies in California, focused on how to obtain necessary ROC quality and quantity acceptable to various receiving bodies available to California reuse projects throughout the state.
• Summarize available approaches (e.g., source control or pre-treatment) for management options that aim to minimize the contaminant concentration of ROC discharge.
• Identify targeted research needs to support regulatory readiness, contaminant reduction (when needed), and an effective decision-making approach for ROC management.

WRF RFP Contact: Alice Jariz, PE

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.

• Support California’s water reuse goals by facilitating the statewide implementation of diverse direct potable reuse (DPR) projects while maintaining the full strength and integrity of DPR regulations.
• Define the framework, including type of data and methods, needed to demonstrate alternative treatment equivalency for DPR in a manner that ensures strong public health protection.

WRF RFP Contact: Monica Lee-Masi, 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.

• Develop standardized validation protocols for obtaining pathogen removal credits associated with wastewater treatment processes in potable reuse projects in California.
• Develop standardized sampling protocols that can support the crediting process.
• Evaluate protocol variability issues during the crediting process.
• Gain a regulatory perspective on the approaches for crediting application and identify pathways for protocol adoption.

WRF RFP Contact: Harry Zhang, PhD, PE

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.

• Evaluate the applicability of WRF project 4957 site-specific pathogen log removal value (LRV) assessment workflow at one or more managed aquifer recharge (MAR) or groundwater replenishment reuse project (GRRP) sites, including one or more different types of transport mechanisms (e.g., saturated flow, unsaturated vadose zone transport), and identify practical considerations for implementation.
• Quantify site-specific virus attenuation and associated LRVs during underground retention (saturated flow), vadose zone transport (unsaturated), or both, using field data, tracer studies, surrogate indicators, monitoring approaches, and/or modeling tools, and compare the results to current regulatory default credit assumptions.
• Develop practical guidance for utilities and regulators to validate pathogen LRV credits based on site-specific underground retention and transport.

WRF RFP Contact: George Kajjumba, PhD, PE

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.