Virginia AWWA section and research seminar Mar232016

© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise utilized without permission.

Research Perspectives from Virginia to National

© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Agenda1. Who We Are2. WRF Research Programs3. 2015 Top Research Issues4. 2016 Research Focus Areas5. Virginia Research Engagement

and Interests6. Ways to Get Involved with WRF7. How to get Information from WRF


WRF Background• Research Cooperative

―Governed by utilities• Over $500M of

research• ~1,000 subscribers• 50 year anniversary!


WRF Subscribers and Partners


Research Programs◼ Focus Area Program

◼ Address broadly relevant, high-priority subscriber issues

◼ 3–5 year duration, typically through series of projects◼ Tailored Collaboration Program

◼ Address regional or subscriber-specific issues through partnership with utility subscribers

◼ Up to $100K match from WRF◼ Emerging Opportunities Program

◼ Funds emergent, high-priority projects◼ 3–4 month project duration

◼ Facilitated Research Program◼ Fully funded by Utilities

60%

20%

20%


Top 2015 Research Issues

Cyanotoxins• NEW Research Focus Area• 1st Most popular webcast• 2nd most popular completed report downloads• 2nd most popular topic for workshops• 2 new projects

Water Efficiency• Existing Research Focus Area• 2nd most popular webcasts• 1st Most popular topic for workshops• 7 new projects

Integrated Water Resources/Reuse• Existing Research Focus Area • Workshop on Direct Potable Reuse• 4 new projects• NEW Knowledge Portal; another that is highly relevant


New! Waterborne Pathogens in Distribution and Plumbing SystemsNew! Intelligent Distribution SystemsIntegrated Water Management: Planning for Future Water SuppliesContaminants of Emerging Concern and Risk CommunicationWater Utility FinancesWater Utility InfrastructureWater Demand Forecasts and ManagementEnergy Efficiency and Integrated Water-Energy PlanningBiofiltrationNDMA and Other Nitrosamines

2015 Focus AreasKey Research Topics and Programs12Focus Area Projects Funded


Variable topicsPrevalent areas include:• Infrastructure Issues• Management Issues

2015 Tailored CollaborationKey Research Topics and Programs

9Tailored Collaboration Projects


Variable topicsPrevalent areas include:• Water Efficiency• Cyanotoxins• Energy Management

2015 Emerging OpportunitiesKey Research Topics and Programs

17Emerging Opportunity Projects


2015 Statistics39New Research Projects

21Webcasts

68Reports published

12Expert symposiums


2015 Statistics22New Videos

4New Knowledge Portals

5New State of theScience documents


WRF’s Jan 2016 Board Meeting$3.64M

• Research budget approved—$2.17M Focus Area Program—$735,000 Emerging Opportunities Program—$735,000 Tailored Collaboration Program$250k

• Wastewater-related planning workshop and projectNEW Focus Area added in 2016

• Cyanobacterial Blooms and Cyanotoxins: Monitoring, Control, and Communication Strategies


Suggested Top 2016 Research Issues

Lead and Copper Rule & Related• Lead and Copper Rule revisited• Flint Michigan

Communications Issues• Under-appreciated issue • Key issue for cyanotoxins, trace constituents, fluoride

Cyanotoxins• High interest will continue


New! Cyanobacterial Blooms and CyanotoxinsWaterborne Pathogens in Distribution and Plumbing SystemsIntelligent Distribution SystemsIntegrated Water Management: Planning for Future Water SuppliesContaminants of Emerging Concern and Risk CommunicationWater Utility FinancesWater Utility InfrastructureWater Demand Forecasts and ManagementEnergy Efficiency and Integrated Water-Energy PlanningBiofiltrationNDMA and Other Nitrosamines

2016 Focus AreasKey Research Topics and Programs


Other Notable 2016 Projects• Wastewater/resource recovery workshop

—RFP out 3/7/16, proposals due 3/30/16• $200,000 wastewater/resource

recovery/stormwater project• Stormwater research roadmap workshop• Combined utility management project• Combined sewer overflow/stormwater

management project


WRF Research Addresses National Concerns


…and Targets Local Needs


Virginia Engagement

20WRF Subscribers


Virginia Project Involvement

93Research Projects (Virginia P.I.)

25Virginia utilitiesParticipated in 171 projects

$28MResearch Value

83PAC membersfrom Virginia


Get Involved• Board of Trustees• Focus Area Council• Tailored Collaboration Review Committee• Public Council on Water Research• Project Advisory Committees• Technical Advisory Committees• Academic Advisory Council (upcoming)• Project volunteer, e.g., test facility, loan

equipment, share expertise, provide samples



Chemicals of Emerging Concern Disinfection

By-Products

Alice Fulmer

Dr. Djanette Khiari

Dr. Grace Jang

Microbials & Distribution System Integrity

Leanne Miller

Resource Recovery

Allison Witheridge

Stormwater

Integrated Water Management

Katie Henderson


Dr. Jian Zhang

Asset ManagementDistribution System Mgmt

Jonathan Cuppett

Utility Finance, LCR & Distribution System Mgmt

Dr. Kenan Ozekin

Climate Change & Advanced Treatment

Linda Reekie

Customer Service, Energy Management, & Source Water

Mary Smith Maureen Hodgins

Water EfficiencyDistribution System Management

© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Regional Liaison

Kim [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.© 2016 Water Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise utilized without permission.

Beate Wright, PEExecutive Director, DC [email protected]

Thank you!!

Government & Nonprofit

Virginia AWWA section and research seminar Mar232016