The Water Research Foundation Completes California State Water Board $4.5M Grant

(Denver, CO) 05/09/24 – The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a research portfolio funded by $4.5M in grants from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWB). This groundbreaking work on potable and non-potable water reuse has far-reaching implications for water sustainability and resource management.

The funding provided by SWB has been significantly leveraged by WRF and its key partners, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, utilities in California and across the United States, engineering firms, and manufacturing companies to fund over $10 million dollars of groundbreaking water reuse research.

The grant from SWB is divided into two parts. The first grant amounted to $1.4M and funded five projects recommended by the SWB Expert Panel. The second grant, totaling $3.1M, supported an additional 20 projects valued at $8.8M across a wide array of potable and non-potable reuse topics. Together, the research findings of these projects provided critical support for developing state-wide criteria for direct potable reuse (DPR) and for expanding safe and sustainable water reuse practices in California and across the United States. California’s DPR regulations were adopted by SWB in December 2023.

The completion of this research marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable water management practices. By exploring the potential of non-potable and potable reuse, WRF and its partners are paving the way for innovative solutions to ensure a reliable water supply for future generations. “The research partnership with the State Water Resources Control Board has advanced the science of potable and non-potable reuse in California and throughout the nation,” said Julie Minton, WRF Research Unit Leader. “It’s been so rewarding to see the impact when researchers, regulators, utilities, and other stakeholders come together to address challenges to ensure a sustainable water future.”

WRF expresses its gratitude to SWB for their generous support and recognition of the importance of this research. The findings from these projects will not only benefit California but also serve as a valuable resource for utilities and communities across the United States.

For more information about the SWB Grant, please contact Julie Minton, Research Unit Leader, jminton@waterrf.org.