Distribution System Water Quality Strategic Initiative 

Water quality can degrade in the distribution system. These changes challenge utilities to achieve expected levels of service and to comply with regulatory requirements. Due to the complexity of how contaminants enter and affect distribution systems, we need research to investigate how and why this transformation occurs. 
The Foundation created this Distribution System Water Quality Strategic Initiative to evaluate and slow water quality degradation within distribution systems, such as pipes, tanks, and plumbing.  
Projects funded by this program were intended to address one or more of the following objectives:

1. Further the understanding of water quality changes caused by premise plumbing, and methods to control the negative impacts of these changes.
2. Develop tools and approaches to evaluate the benefits and costs of multiple barriers used to ensure distribution system water quality.
3. Close knowledge gaps associated with using chloramines as a secondary disinfectant.  

An expert volunteer paneldeveloped a strategic plan to achieve these objectives. 

Expert Workshop Report (pdf, 1.59 mb)
As input to the expert panel in development of the Strategic Plan for the Distribution System Water Quality Strategic Initiative, an expert workshop was held May 30 and 31, 2007, in Englewood, Colorado. Twenty-one experts considered distribution system water quality concerns, and in breakout groups identified research projects to address high priority research needs. The workshop report includes a white paper on the state of knowledge in distribution system water quality that was prepared prior to the workshop to set the stage for productive discussions. Fourteen projects were identified by the workshop participants as high priority, suitable for starting immediately. The workshop report was a primary input to the expert panel’s effort to develop strategic initiative objectives and the sequenced plan of projects to achieve those objectives.

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• Review open RFPs
• To submit a proposal in response to an issued RFP, see the guidelines for submitting solicited proposals
• Read about funded projects
• View sample funding agreement
• View recent funding awards
• Read 2007 Expert Workshop Report
• View Drinking Water Research special edition on distribution system water quality