Call for Proposals: Enhanced Underground Pathogen LRV (United States)

The Water Research Foundation (WRF), in partnership with the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWB), is seeking research proposals to improve site-specific pathogen Log Removal Value (LRV) assessments for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and groundwater replenishment reuse systems. The selected project can receive up to $250,000 in funding and will develop scientific methods, field demonstrations, and practical guidance to improve pathogen removal validation for potable water reuse.

What is the Site-Specific Pathogen LRV Assessment Research Project?

The Site-Specific Pathogen Log Removal Value (LRV) Assessment Research Project is a research funding opportunity designed to strengthen scientific methods for evaluating pathogen removal in Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Projects (GRRPs).

The project will validate and refine the workflow developed under WRF Project 4957, helping utilities and regulators better assess pathogen removal using site-specific data rather than relying solely on standard regulatory assumptions.

The research will support safer and more efficient potable water reuse systems while improving confidence in groundwater recharge practices.

Programme Overview

Programme Name: Site-Specific Pathogen LRV Assessment Research Project
Organized By: Water Research Foundation (WRF)
Partner Organization: California State Water Resources Control Board (SWB)
Programme Type: Research Grant
Maximum Funding: Up to $250,000
Project Duration: 20–30 months
Research Area: Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), Groundwater Replenishment Reuse (GRRP), Potable Water Reuse, Pathogen Removal Assessment

Purpose of the Research Project

The project aims to improve the scientific evaluation of pathogen removal in groundwater recharge systems by validating site-specific assessment methods under real-world conditions.

Its objectives include:

Evaluating the applicability of the WRF Project 4957 workflow.
Improving pathogen Log Removal Value (LRV) assessments.
Measuring virus attenuation at recharge sites.
Supporting safe potable water reuse.
Developing practical guidance for utilities and regulators.
Improving confidence in site-specific pathogen removal credits.

Why This Research Matters

Managed Aquifer Recharge and groundwater replenishment play an increasingly important role in ensuring sustainable water supplies. To protect public health, these systems must demonstrate effective removal of harmful pathogens before water is reused.

Current regulatory approaches often rely on default pathogen removal assumptions. This research aims to provide scientific evidence that allows site-specific assessments, leading to more accurate evaluations and potentially greater recognition of actual pathogen removal performance.

The project will help improve water reuse practices while supporting evidence-based regulatory decisions.

Key Research Focus Areas

The project will investigate:

Site-specific pathogen Log Removal Value (LRV) assessment.
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR).
Groundwater Replenishment Reuse Projects (GRRPs).
Saturated groundwater flow.
Unsaturated vadose zone transport.
Virus attenuation.
Field monitoring.
Tracer studies.
Surrogate indicators.
Monitoring methodologies.
Groundwater modeling tools.
Comparison with regulatory default assumptions.
Site-specific pathogen credit validation.

What is Log Removal Value (LRV)?

Log Removal Value (LRV) is a scientific measure used to determine how effectively a water treatment or natural filtration system removes pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.

A higher LRV indicates greater pathogen removal and therefore improved protection of public health.

Site-specific LRV assessments use field measurements and scientific analysis to determine actual pathogen removal performance under local hydrogeological conditions.

Project Activities

The selected research team will carry out activities such as:

Validating the WRF Project 4957 workflow.
Conducting field demonstrations at recharge sites.
Measuring site-specific virus attenuation.
Collecting field monitoring data.
Performing tracer studies.
Evaluating surrogate indicators.
Applying groundwater transport models.
Comparing observed LRVs with regulatory assumptions.
Developing practical guidance for utilities.
Supporting regulators with improved assessment methods.

Research Methodology

The project will involve one or more recharge sites representing different hydrogeological settings.

Researchers are expected to use a combination of:

Field investigations.
Monitoring programmes.
Tracer testing.
Laboratory analysis.
Mathematical modeling.
Data analysis.
Performance validation.

The results will help establish scientifically supported methods for obtaining enhanced pathogen removal credits.

Expected Project Outputs

The research is expected to produce:

A comprehensive research report.
Site-specific LRV demonstration protocol.
Field demonstration case studies.
Guidance for enhanced pathogen LRV crediting.
Recommendations for utilities.
Guidance for regulators.
A roadmap for future site-specific LRV assessments.

Funding Information

Applicants may request:

Up to $250,000 in research funding.

The funding supports research activities, field demonstrations, data collection, analysis, reporting, and development of guidance documents.

Project Duration

The anticipated project timeline is:

20 to 30 months from the contract start date.

This allows sufficient time for field studies, data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting.

Who Should Apply?

The funding opportunity is suitable for organizations with expertise in:

Water reuse research.
Groundwater hydrology.
Environmental engineering.
Water quality assessment.
Hydrogeology.
Environmental microbiology.
Water treatment.
Public health protection.
Environmental modeling.
Aquifer recharge systems.

Collaborative research teams with multidisciplinary expertise are likely to be well positioned to undertake the project.

How the Research Project Works

The general research process includes:

Submit a research proposal.
Demonstrate expertise in groundwater recharge and pathogen assessment.
Develop a research methodology based on the objectives of WRF Project 4957.
Conduct field demonstrations at selected recharge sites.
Collect and analyse field data.
Validate site-specific pathogen removal methods.
Prepare guidance documents and research reports.
Deliver final recommendations for utilities and regulators.

Benefits of Participating

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:

Receive funding of up to $250,000.
Contribute to advances in potable water reuse.
Improve scientific understanding of pathogen removal.
Support evidence-based regulatory practices.
Develop practical tools for utilities.
Strengthen groundwater recharge management.
Influence future water reuse guidance and standards.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

To improve your proposal:

Present a scientifically robust research methodology.
Demonstrate expertise in groundwater recharge and pathogen monitoring.
Include field validation at representative recharge sites.
Describe how different hydrogeological conditions will be evaluated.
Explain the proposed monitoring and modeling approaches.
Demonstrate collaboration among technical experts.
Provide realistic timelines and deliverables.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Providing insufficient scientific justification.
Failing to include field validation activities.
Ignoring hydrogeological variability.
Using unclear monitoring methodologies.
Omitting data analysis plans.
Presenting unrealistic project timelines.
Submitting incomplete research proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of this research project?

The project aims to improve site-specific pathogen Log Removal Value (LRV) assessments for managed aquifer recharge and groundwater replenishment reuse systems, supporting safer potable water reuse.

2. How much funding is available?

Applicants may request up to $250,000 in funding.

3. How long will the project last?

The anticipated project duration is 20 to 30 months from the contract start date.

4. What research activities are expected?

The project includes field demonstrations, virus attenuation studies, tracer testing, monitoring, groundwater modeling, data analysis, and development of practical guidance for utilities and regulators.

5. What is a Log Removal Value (LRV)?

A Log Removal Value measures how effectively pathogens are removed during water treatment or natural filtration processes. Higher LRVs indicate greater pathogen reduction and improved public health protection.

6. What are the expected project outputs?

The project will produce a research report, demonstration protocol, case studies, guidance for pathogen LRV crediting, and a roadmap for future site-specific assessments.

7. Why is this project important?

The research will strengthen scientific methods for evaluating pathogen removal, improve confidence in potable water reuse systems, support evidence-based regulatory decisions, and help utilities obtain accurate site-specific pathogen removal credits.

Conclusion

The Water Research Foundation Site-Specific Pathogen LRV Assessment Research Project 2026 offers an important opportunity for researchers and water professionals to advance the science of potable water reuse. With funding of up to $250,000, the project will validate innovative approaches for measuring pathogen removal in managed aquifer recharge systems, helping utilities and regulators make more accurate, science-based decisions. By developing practical guidance, field-tested methodologies, and improved assessment tools, the project will contribute to safer, more resilient, and more sustainable water reuse systems for the future.