AwwaRF Announces RFPs for Small-Utility Projects
On Sept. 26, the American Water Works Association Research
Foundation (AwwaRF), the leading nonprofit water research foundation
dedicated to advancing the science of drinking water, announced
requests for proposals (RFPs) for two new projects that will focus on
the specific needs of smaller drinking water utilities.
The two projects, which are being funded for a total of $250,000,
are the first to be funded through the new AwwaRF Small Systems
Initiative, which was launched earlier this year. Under the initiative,
AwwaRF is focusing research resources on the challenges faced by small
water utilities.
“Smaller water suppliers must deal with issues that are unique to
their size and limited resources,” said Robert C. Renner, Executive
Director of AwwaRF. “These targeted studies will assist them in
delivering safe and affordable drinking water to the public.”
One project—“Source Water Protection Cost/Benefit Tool”—will develop
a new application for critically evaluating the cost and benefits of
implementing a source water protection program. The second
project—“Synthesis Document On Pipe Location and Leakage
Management”—will produce a guidance document on locating and
proactively managing leaks from underground pipes, with particular
emphasis on pipe materials and conditions that are relevant to small
systems. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal may view the
RFPs at http://www.awwarf.org/research/plansAwardsFunding/RFP.aspx. The proposal deadline is Nov. 30, 2007.