Please find below for every WQRF-funded project the full scientific reports, executive summaries, and
other supporting educational materials available. Please note, the full scientific reports are free for
WQA members, please contact Foundation@wqrf.org to inquire about access to these reports.
other supporting educational materials available. Please note, the full scientific reports are free for
WQA members, please contact Foundation@wqrf.org to inquire about access to these reports.
The Contaminant Occurrence Map contains water quality data over the last 10 years for 57 different drinking water analytes in the United States
Interactive Mapping Tool l Summary Presentation
Contaminant Level Occurrence Above the MCLG (regulated contaminants): Executive Summary, Full Report
Aesthetics Level Occurrence Study (hardness, iron, pH, manganese, disinfection residuals): Executive Summary, Full Report
Phase 2A Report (Alkalinity, chloride, corrosivity, LSI, nitrate, nitrate-nitrite, orthophosphate, total phosphate, and sulfate): Full Report
Phase 2B Report (1,4-dioxane, Cr6, PCE, Uranium, radium, calcium, magnesium, radon, strontium): Full Report
Interactive Mapping Tool l Summary Presentation
Contaminant Level Occurrence Above the MCLG (regulated contaminants): Executive Summary, Full Report
Aesthetics Level Occurrence Study (hardness, iron, pH, manganese, disinfection residuals): Executive Summary, Full Report
Phase 2A Report (Alkalinity, chloride, corrosivity, LSI, nitrate, nitrate-nitrite, orthophosphate, total phosphate, and sulfate): Full Report
Phase 2B Report (1,4-dioxane, Cr6, PCE, Uranium, radium, calcium, magnesium, radon, strontium): Full Report
Predictive Modeling Study
The Predictive Modeling Study collected and assessed all available and relevant water quality data to generate a model that describes the most likely future drinking water contamination events over the next 5-10 years.
Final Report Executive Summary Infographic |
Emerging Contaminant Consumer Study
This independent study was performed by researchers from the University of Wisconsin system in June 2021, to gauge the American public’s knowledge of emerging contaminants in drinking water.
Final Report Executive Summary Infographic |
Emerging Contaminant Removal and Microbial Growth in POU Membrane Filtration and Activated Carbon
Dr. Zhou at Purdue University investigated the removal efficiencies of 3 PFAS chemicals, Manganese, Uranium, and Legionella by POU RO and activated carbon. A second objective was to evaluate the effects of water quality and microbial growth on removal of these emerging contaminants.
Handout Executive Summary l Full Report |
Cost Benefits of Point-of-Use Devices in Reduction of Health RisksCalculated the associated healthcare and other disease burden costs from illness caused by contaminants in drinking water compared to cost of implementation of point-of-use water treatment devices, including a case study of Flint, MI.
Executive Summary l Full Report Handout - Lead l Handout - Microbes Journal of Water and Health Publication Environmental Research Publication |
Standardized Test Protocol DevelopmentA co-funded research undertaking at Virginia Tech resulted in the development of a standardized scaling test protocol for the evaluation of scale reduction devices and technologies. The study developed a protocol that can be repeated in any laboratory to evaluate the performance of scale reduction technologies/devices.
Environmental Engineering Science Publication Publication PDF Version |
Boil Water Notices in the United StatesThe first comprehensive database of the cause for boil water notices (BWN) issued by public water systems in the U.S.
WQA Knowledge Base Executive Summary Toolkit Full Report |
Household POU Filters: Tools for Long-term, Large Volume Monitoring of Tap Water Quality and Human Health Risks
This study demonstrated a proof of concept using point-of-use filters as a method for monitoring tap water quality over long time periods in lieu of grab-samples. Executive Summary Full Report |
Reduction of Effluent Chloride to
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Peak Water Demand StudyData co-funding effort resulted in a statistically based probability model that would predict the peak water demand for single and multi-family dwellings having water-conserving plumbing fixtures.
Executive Summary Water Demand Calculator |
Counterfeit Refrigerator Filter StudyThe purpose of the study was to investigate if counterfeit filters illegally using a manufacturer’s logo passed testing requirements of certification claimed made.
Full Report |
National "Deep Dive" Water Quality StudyThe objectives of this study were to gather information that would help focus the scope of future WQRF research and to educate the public on point-of-use and point-of-entry technologies.
Executive Summary |
Water Softener Effects on Septic System PerformanceThis study was undertaken to investigate the effect home ion-exchange water softeners may have on the performance of onsite septic tanks.
Executive Summary l Full Report Toolkit |
Chloroform Surrogate StudyLaid the ground work in NSF/ANSI standards for carbon filter manufacturers to test effectiveness for chloroform and claim effectiveness for 53 regulated synthetic organic chemicals.
Full Report |
Softened Water Benefits Studies
Energy Saving Study
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Dishwasher Study
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Laundry Study
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Leaching of Metals from Household Plumbing Materials: Study of the Impact of Home Water SoftenersThe results demonstrated that there is no link between softened water and corrosion. This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Study, funded by WQRF, provided scientific support that ion exchange water softening does not affect the corrosivity of water.
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Septic Tank/Water Softener StudiesThis 1978 research report combines the scientific data from several studies to evaluate potential effects of water softeners on septic systems. Full Report Executive Summary |
Water Softeners as Energy Conserving InvestmentsThe purpose of this study was to measure and quantify differences in energy consumption of household water heaters installed and operated on hard versus softened water supplies.
Executive Summary |