VOORHEES, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, today announced it received two new research contracts from the Water Research Foundation (WRF). Both projects aim to help develop multi-year research agendas that will guide future WRF programs.
The first project, titled “Defining Attributes and Demonstrating Benefits of Intelligent Distribution Systems,” will examine technologies to develop smart water networks for both potable water and wastewater systems. Dave Hughes, Water Research Manager, will be the principal investigator. The total funding for the project is $73,559 with $35,000 in support from WRF, under project number 4614, and $14,886 in funding from the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), under project number SENG4C15. American Water will provide $23,673 as in-kind support.
The second project, titled “Research Plan for Management of Emerging Pathogens in Distribution Systems and Premise Plumbing,” will examine the occurrence and control of microbes that grow in distribution systems and in the plumbing systems of buildings. Dr. Mark LeChevallier, Director of Innovation & Environmental Stewardship, will be the principal investigator, and Dr. Zia Bukhari, Senior Research Scientist, and Dr. Nicholas Ashbolt, Professor at the University of Alberta will serve as co-investigators. The project total cost is $93,205 with $30,000 in funding from WRF, under project number 4650, and $30,000 from American Water Works Association. American Water will provide $33,206 as in-kind support.
Both projects will feature workshops to solicit input from industry experts including utilities, academics, consultants, government agencies, and other interested stakeholders to develop detailed research plans that will set the research agendas in these areas for years to come. The projects will be completed by the end of 2015 and will be used by the Water Research Foundation to guide future research funding.
“American Water is pleased to be selected as a partner in guiding the industry in these important areas of research,” stated LeChevallier. “Developing intelligent water systems that can better meet the needs of our customers, while simultaneously ensuring the highest quality and safety of the water supplies is of paramount importance to the water industry.”
About American Water
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 47 states and Ontario, Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.
About the Water Research Foundation
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is an internationally recognized leader in sponsoring research that supports the water community in holistically and cooperatively managing water from all sources to meet social, environmental, and economic needs. WRF’s research provides reliable and relevant solutions to the most critical challenges facing the water community today and into the future. Founded in 1966, WRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has sponsored nearly 1,500 research projects valued at $500 million, and serves more than 1,000 subscribing organizations. For more information, go to www.WaterRF.org.
About the Water Environment Research Foundation
The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) is America’s leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues. WERF is a nonprofit organization that operates with funding from subscribers including wastewater treatment plants, stormwater utilities, regulatory agencies, equipment companies, and environmental consultants. WERF takes a progressive approach to research, stressing collaboration among teams of subscribers, environmental professionals, scientists, and staff.
About the American Water Works Association
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.
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