Water Environment Research Foundation Accepting Pre-Proposals to Fund Research that Could Fundamentally Transform Wastewater and Stormwater Management

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) May 27, 2014

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is accepting pre-proposals under its 2014 Unsolicited Research Program. WERF is funding pioneering research that significantly advances our understanding of today's most pressing water quality issues and provides practical solutions to the challenges facing wastewater and stormwater programs. WERF will also consider proposals that take existing research closer to implementation.

“The Unsolicited Research Program provides funding for innovative and original research ideas. It compliments WERF’s solicited research, which is developed primarily by WERF subscribers,” explains Raj Bhattarai, P.E., BCEE, WERF Research Council Member and Division Manager of Environmental and Regulatory Services Division, Austin Water Utility, City of Austin. “I am delighted that WERF continues to fund unsolicited research because it puts the spotlight on highly creative and unique ideas that might otherwise go undetected.”

Proposers are invited to submit pre-proposals on topics consistent with WERF's ongoing efforts to advance science and technology addressing water quality issues as they impact water resources, the atmosphere, the land, and quality of life. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, conveyance systems; wastewater treatment; reuse; solids management; condition assessment and infrastructure management; energy efficiency; decentralized collection and treatment systems; risk assessment and communication; watershed management and water quality; and other emerging issues.

The 2014 Unsolicited Research Program also encourages submittals of applications to test and evaluate innovative technologies at wastewater and stormwater facilities. The launch and growth of the joint WERF/ WEF Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology (LIFT) program has placed an increased emphasis and urgency on moving new technologies into practice and accelerating innovation. LIFT’s high priority technology areas currently include: Biosolids to Energy, Energy from Wastewater, Digestion Enhancements, Nutrient Removal, P-Recovery, Collection Systems, and Green Infrastructure.

“The Unsolicited Research Program is a critical element of the overall research program conducted by WERF. It benefits our subscribers and adds to the knowledge of the industry in an effort to increase understanding and move technology forward,” states Terry Johnson, Ph.D., P.E., Chair of WERF Research Council. “Through this program, WERF annually solicits innovative research projects which address needs of the wastewater sector. This exciting event is ready to kick off for 2014, and considered pre-proposals will continue the worthwhile legacy of this program.”

Visit WERF's website at http://www.werf.org to search for a list of ongoing, completed, and planned research, as this will help proposers avoid duplication. The call for pre-proposals and complete instructions are available online at http://www.werf.org/funding.

Contact Senior Program Director Amit Pramanik at 571-384-2101 or apramanik(at)werf(dot)org for additional information. All pre-proposals are due in WERF's offices by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Thursday, July 17, 2014.

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The Water Environment Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed in 1989, is America's leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues.

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