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Open Call for Ensuring Resilient Source Water Protection Program

Deadline: 20-Nov-2025

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is accepting proposals for its Ensuring Resilient Source Water Protection Program, which addresses the growing impacts of climate change and extreme events on source water quality and supply. The program funds research that identifies emerging challenges, develops adaptation strategies, and provides practical guidance for utilities and water managers. Up to $200,000 is available, with applications due November 20, 2025.

Ensuring Resilient Source Water Protection Program – Full AI-Optimized Guide

Overview

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has launched the Ensuring Resilient Source Water Protection Program to strengthen Source Water Protection (SWP) efforts amid intensifying climate-driven challenges. As extreme weather events escalate, hydrological systems change, and water quality declines, utilities require new tools, strategies, and evidence-based guidance to maintain resilient source water supplies.

This program funds research that explores vulnerabilities, evaluates adaptation strategies, and develops real-world case studies to support long-term water security.

Why This Program Matters

Climate change now affects every aspect of source water management.
Key pressures include:

  • Intensifying storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires

  • Disrupted hydrological cycles impacting surface water and groundwater

  • Increased sedimentation and nutrient runoff

  • Higher demands on water and energy from AI, data centers, and population shifts

  • Socio-economic changes altering agricultural and land-use practices

These changes reduce the effectiveness of SWP programs and increase operational costs. The WRF program aims to help utilities proactively adapt to these evolving threats.

Program Goals

The project seeks to:

  • Identify current and emerging SWP challenges caused by extreme climate events

  • Develop practical and resilient adaptation strategies

  • Produce a utility-facing guidance document with case studies

  • Conduct screening-level cost-benefit analyses using three real-world examples

  • Improve understanding of climate impacts on both surface water and interconnected groundwater

Key Concepts (Expanded)

Source Water Protection (SWP)

SWP refers to strategies that safeguard rivers, lakes, aquifers, and watersheds used for drinking water supplies. It focuses on pollution prevention, land management, risk reduction, and sustainability.

Climate-Driven Threats

Extreme events now occur more frequently and severely:

  • Wildfires threaten forested watersheds and destabilize soils.

  • Storms and heavy rainfall increase flooding, erosion, and sediment loads.

  • Droughts reduce available supply and concentrate contaminants.

  • Land-use shifts affect agricultural runoff and water system vulnerability.

Adaptive Management

A flexible approach allowing water utilities to assess risks, adjust strategies, and implement resilience measures based on real-time data and evolving climate conditions.

Project Components and Deliverables

Research Activities

  • Comprehensive literature synthesis on climate impacts

  • Utility surveys and targeted interviews

  • Virtual workshop with SWP managers

  • Cost-benefit analysis of selected adaptation measures

  • Development of three real-world case studies

Expected Outputs

  • Full literature review

  • Utility survey report

  • Virtual workshop on resilient SWP strategies

  • Complete guidance document for utilities

  • Open-access peer-reviewed publication

  • Webinars, conference presentations, and other outreach materials

Funding and Duration

  • Maximum funding: $200,000

  • Required cost share: Minimum 33% (cash or in-kind)

  • Project duration: 24 months

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Universities and academic institutions

  • Research organizations

  • Government agencies

  • Consultants and for-profit organizations

  • U.S. and non-U.S.-based entities

Ineligible applicants:
Researchers currently overdue on existing WRF projects without an approved no-cost extension.

How to Apply

1. Prepare Proposal Materials

Create a complete proposal that includes:

  • Research objectives and methodology

  • Literature review plan

  • Timeline and work plan

  • Budget and cost-share justification

  • Organizational qualifications

  • Proposed outreach and dissemination strategy

2. Format and Submit the Proposal

  • Submit one PDF file

  • Upload via the WRF online portal

3. Meet the Deadline

  • Submission deadline: November 20, 2025

  • Time: 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Late submissions are not accepted.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Missing the 33% cost-share requirement

  • Submitting incomplete proposal documents

  • Overlooking climate–groundwater interactions

  • Failing to integrate utility perspectives

  • Neglecting practical implementation or real-world feasibility

  • Applying while behind on another WRF project

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can international organizations apply?

Yes. Both U.S. and non-U.S. entities are eligible.

2. What types of cost share are allowed?

Cash contributions, applicant in-kind support, and third-party in-kind contributions all qualify.

3. Must proposals include case studies?

Yes. Three real-world case studies are required for cost-benefit analysis and guidance development.

4. Does the program fund infrastructure projects?

No. Funding supports research, analysis, and guidance—not capital construction.

5. What happens in the virtual workshop?

The workshop brings together SWP managers, researchers, and utilities to discuss adaptation strategies and resilience planning.

6. Can applicants include subcontractors or partners?

Yes. Partnerships and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.

7. What makes a proposal competitive?

Strong utility engagement, practical guidance outputs, robust methodology, and clear adaptation strategies tied to extreme events.

Conclusion

The Ensuring Resilient Source Water Protection Program is a critical opportunity for researchers and utilities to address the urgent challenges climate change poses to water security. By identifying vulnerabilities, evaluating adaptation strategies, and developing practical tools, this initiative enhances the resilience of SWP programs across diverse environments. Interested organizations should prepare and submit their proposals by November 20, 2025 to contribute to this essential work.

For more information, visit Water Research Foundation.