Ongoing WQRF Research:
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2020 WQRF Grant Project: "Consumer Tools for Understanding Water Quality Contaminants and POU/POE Options"
The project objective is to increase knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about POU/POE through creation of user-friendly, web-based educational materials for WQRF.org. The project will build off and supplement the public resources on WQA’s websites. The content will explain routes of exposure, potential health risks and water treatment options for drinking water contaminants. Several communication formats will be created including both short and long format informational videos, infographics, archive of relevant technical articles and an interactive tool for consumers. |
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Emerging Contaminants Consumer Study: The research will perform a US consumer study with a regional balance and a sample size that is appropriate and statistically sound to determine:
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2018 WQRF Grant Project: "Emerging contaminant removal and microbial growth in membrane filtration and activated carbon point-of-use (POU) systems" The 2018 Grant study aims to evaluate the removal of emerging contaminants by POU carbon and RO systems and determine the effects of water quality on performance. The emerging contaminants studied include short-chain PFC’s (PFBS and PFHxS), PFOS, manganese, and uranium. It is anticipated that this research will provide performance data on removal efficiencies of representative emerging contaminants, new knowledge on the effects of water quality on the performance of POU systems, and mechanisms of microbial growth. As a result, the industry will be able to develop cost-effective treatment devices to improve water quality and mitigate risks of emerging contaminants in drinking water. |
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Sustainability Comparison Study: This study will utilize real-world data to compare the sustainability, defined as the human, environmental and economic impacts, of centralized drinking water treatment to residential POU/POE treatment in small community water systems in the United States. Research results will be used by the industry to identify and understand in which contexts POU/POE might yield the most benefits when used by small communities for compliance needs. |
Upcoming Research:
2022 WQRF Grant Program:
In 2021, the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) will issue a request for proposals (RFP) under a program which awards one research grant for a unique and interesting research project relating to the point-of-use and point-of-entry drinking water treatment industry. The aim of this program is to allow academic and independent researchers more flexibility for direct submission of study proposals which are topical to the WQRF research agenda. The selected research agenda categories for 2020 are "Final Barrier", "Emerging Contaminants", and "Sustainability".
Predictive Modeling of U.S. Drinking Water Crises:
The goal of this project is to build upon the database generated from a previously completed WQRF-funded project, Drinking Water Crises in the United States, 2009-2019. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that can use the historical drinking water crises information to identify contaminants of concern for the future and help the drinking water treatment industry prepare to provide treatment solutions.
Case Studies of POU/POE use for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Compliance
The purpose of this study is to: 1) compile a database and summary reports of existing case studies which are currently using POU/POE systems for compliance to the SDWA (by small systems), and 2) publish a gap analysis of any future research needs to support the use of POU/POE treatment for compliance to SDWA. A funding approval is anticipated in Summer of 2021.
Emerging Contaminants Phase 2 Study: Treatment Efficacy
The objective of the research concept is to determine the degree to which currently available POU/POE systems can reduce relevant emerging contaminants of concern. It is anticipated that two different technologies could be investigated for 5 emerging contaminants within the study.
POE Systems Water Usage, Efficiencies and Discharges - Survey of Operating Systems
The objective of this study is to collect real-world data that would give a baseline of modern POE equipment performance in terms of water usage, discharges, and salt efficiencies.
Nationwide Strategy for Lead Abatement in Schools
Conduct research to develop a multi-faceted strategy of best practices to address lead in drinking water in schools. This strategy can be shared with school districts, regulators, and other stakeholders to help them understand the issue of lead in drinking water better, and to guide them in developing comprehensive plans that will lead to improved public health outcomes.
In 2021, the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF) will issue a request for proposals (RFP) under a program which awards one research grant for a unique and interesting research project relating to the point-of-use and point-of-entry drinking water treatment industry. The aim of this program is to allow academic and independent researchers more flexibility for direct submission of study proposals which are topical to the WQRF research agenda. The selected research agenda categories for 2020 are "Final Barrier", "Emerging Contaminants", and "Sustainability".
Predictive Modeling of U.S. Drinking Water Crises:
The goal of this project is to build upon the database generated from a previously completed WQRF-funded project, Drinking Water Crises in the United States, 2009-2019. The objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that can use the historical drinking water crises information to identify contaminants of concern for the future and help the drinking water treatment industry prepare to provide treatment solutions.
Case Studies of POU/POE use for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Compliance
The purpose of this study is to: 1) compile a database and summary reports of existing case studies which are currently using POU/POE systems for compliance to the SDWA (by small systems), and 2) publish a gap analysis of any future research needs to support the use of POU/POE treatment for compliance to SDWA. A funding approval is anticipated in Summer of 2021.
Emerging Contaminants Phase 2 Study: Treatment Efficacy
The objective of the research concept is to determine the degree to which currently available POU/POE systems can reduce relevant emerging contaminants of concern. It is anticipated that two different technologies could be investigated for 5 emerging contaminants within the study.
POE Systems Water Usage, Efficiencies and Discharges - Survey of Operating Systems
The objective of this study is to collect real-world data that would give a baseline of modern POE equipment performance in terms of water usage, discharges, and salt efficiencies.
Nationwide Strategy for Lead Abatement in Schools
Conduct research to develop a multi-faceted strategy of best practices to address lead in drinking water in schools. This strategy can be shared with school districts, regulators, and other stakeholders to help them understand the issue of lead in drinking water better, and to guide them in developing comprehensive plans that will lead to improved public health outcomes.