Balancing Water Distribution System Flow Capacity and Water Quality for Fire and Natural Disasters

The Water Research Foundation (WRF), a nonprofit research organization advancing the science of water to protect public health and the environment, is accepting proposals under its Research Priority Program for the project titled "Balancing Water Distribution System Flow Capacity and Water Quality for Fire and Natural Disasters." The funder supports innovative research that addresses high-priority challenges in water utilities. This particular initiative, designated as Project 5358, is intended to improve understanding and planning around how emergency flow requirements—such as those needed for fire protection and natural disasters—interact with water quality in distribution systems. The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to assess how emergency storage and enhanced flow capacity measures, such as upsized storage tanks, pipes, and transmission infrastructure, may affect critical water quality parameters. The research will explore trade-offs that utilities must manage when enhancing infrastructure for emergency preparedness while maintaining standards for potable water quality. Urban, suburban, and rural systems are all within scope, allowing for analysis across diverse water utility contexts. Proposers are expected to identify and recommend effective design strategies that can maintain a balance between emergency resilience and water quality. Recommendations must be practical and implementation-focused, with an eye toward minimizing regulatory burdens and operational inefficiencies. The outcomes of this project should support both public health protection and emergency response capability through optimized infrastructure design. The project must also produce clear and accessible communication tools to help utilities explain to the public and elected officials the inherent tensions and synergies between water conservation, emergency preparedness, flow capacity, and water quality. These tools are meant to bridge the gap between technical decision-making and community understanding. Applicants are directed to follow specific proposal submission instructions provided in linked documents and video guidance. No pre-application steps such as letters of intent are required. Proposals are due by November 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Awards will total up to $400,000. WRF encourages collaboration, and a list of utilities interested in participating in the research is available on the grant page, with contacts listed for potential partnership development. For questions about the RFP, applicants may contact Grace Jang at WRF. Required submission materials include budget forms, assurance certifications, co-funding statements (if applicable), and researcher capabilities documentation. Award and notification timelines are not explicitly provided, and the grant is not marked as recurring.

Emphasize the need to align proposed methods with real-world utility operations and clearly demonstrate infrastructure planning implications for both emergency response and water quality maintenance.