Incorporating Academic Research into the Coordinated National Research Strategy for Water Reuse

Webcast

Formally launched nearly four years ago, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) set out to increase the national capacity for water reuse by addressing barriers to project development and implementation. The Water Research Foundation (WRF) initially joined this effort (WRAP Action Item 7.2) by identifying research to support all modes of water recycling, including onsite and centralized water reuse, potable and non-potable water reuse, agricultural reuse, and stormwater capture and use. Research needs were solicited and identified as described in recently published WRF projects on the topics of stormwater reuse, agricultural reuse, on-site water reuse, and water quality monitoring.

This approach capitalizes on the participation and guidance of WRF subscribers and researchers, including the 34 utility and manufacturer subscribers currently participating in reuse-related WRF projects. To date, WRF staff have successfully engaged stakeholders through facilitated workshops at the annual WateReuse Symposium (e.g., 2020, 2022), producing an extensive list of specific water reuse project ideas.

 This webcast will focus on project 5262, Developing a Coordinated National Research Strategy on Water Reuse, which is designed to synthesize this extensive input to create a prioritized research agenda for the next phase of water reuse project development and operations. A key outcome of this work includes a framework for organizing and evaluating research topics to produce a prioritized list of research needs across various water reuse applications and water sources with the participation of a diverse set of utilities, consultants, academics, and others interested in potential water reuse opportunities.

Presenters:
Eric Rosenblum, PE, Chief Executive Officer, Envirospectives
Robert S. Raucher, PhD, Raucher LLC

Moderator:
Miriam Hacker, PhD, Research Program Manager, The Water Research Foundation