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

Deadline: 20-Nov-2025

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites proposals to study how emergency flow requirements for fire protection and natural disasters affect drinking water quality. The project seeks to identify strategies that allow utilities to meet emergency demands while maintaining safe, reliable water across diverse urban, suburban, and rural systems.

Overview

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is offering a new research opportunity to explore how emergency flow requirements—such as fire suppression and disaster response—impact drinking water quality. Utilities often face trade-offs between infrastructure investments for high-flow capacity and maintaining safe water standards. This project aims to provide actionable insights and guidance to balance resilience with public health protection.

Objectives

1. Assess the Impact of Emergency Flow on Water Quality

• Examine how infrastructure modifications such as increased storage, larger pipes, and expanded transmission affect disinfectant residuals, water age, and byproduct formation.

• Evaluate trade-offs between meeting fire flow requirements and maintaining safe drinking water.

• Provide strategies to optimize system designs without creating unnecessary regulatory or operational burdens.

2. Strengthen Utility Planning for Emergencies

• Analyze emergency flow scenarios including fires, earthquakes, and droughts.

• Develop modeling approaches to simulate realistic emergency conditions.

• Provide guidance on revised storage requirements and alternatives to traditional fire flow practices.

3. Develop Practical Guidance and Communication Tools

• Create recommendations for design and operational strategies that protect water quality while ensuring emergency readiness.

• Produce communication tools for utilities to explain the balance between emergency flow needs, water quality, and water conservation to policymakers and the public.

Who Can Apply

• U.S. and international universities, research institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and for-profit entities.

• Organizations with expertise in water quality, distribution system modeling, and infrastructure planning.

How the Research Will Be Conducted

1. Literature Review: Assess existing knowledge on emergency flows and water quality impacts.

2. Case Studies: Examine diverse systems across urban, suburban, and rural contexts to identify best practices.

3. Utility Surveys: Gather data on current practices, challenges, and mitigation strategies.

4. Modeling and Simulation: Analyze emergency flow impacts on disinfectant residuals, water age, and byproduct formation.

5. Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with utilities to ensure findings are practical and applicable.

Funding and Duration

• Project duration: Not specified; applicants should propose realistic timelines.

• Funding: Up to $400,000.

Why It Matters

• Public Health Protection: Ensures emergency planning does not compromise water safety.

• Infrastructure Optimization: Supports investments that balance emergency readiness with water quality goals.

• Regulatory Compliance: Helps utilities meet evolving fire flow and water quality standards.

• Community Resilience: Prepares communities for emergencies without introducing water quality risks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to include diverse system types (urban, suburban, rural) in research design.

• Neglecting the integration of updated fire and emergency water supply standards.

• Overlooking practical communication strategies for stakeholders and policymakers.

FAQ

1. What is the focus of the project?
   Studying the impact of emergency flow requirements on drinking water quality and identifying strategies to balance safety and resilience.

2. Who is eligible to apply?
   U.S. and international universities, research institutions, government agencies, consulting firms, and for-profit organizations.

3. What types of emergency scenarios will be considered?
   Fires, earthquakes, droughts, and other high-flow demand events.

4. What is the maximum funding available?
   Up to $400,000.

5. How will research results be used?
   To provide utilities with practical guidance on system design, emergency planning, and public communication.

6. Will the project include modeling and simulations?
   Yes, distribution system modeling will simulate emergency flow conditions and assess water quality impacts.

7. Why is this research important?
   It ensures utilities can meet emergency flow needs while protecting drinking water quality, public health, and regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

This WRF initiative provides a critical opportunity for utilities and researchers to optimize emergency flow management while safeguarding water quality. By combining practical studies, modeling, and stakeholder engagement, the project will deliver actionable strategies that improve resilience, public health, and operational planning across diverse water systems.

For more information, visit Water Research Foundation.