Introduction
The Water Research Foundation, commonly abbreviated as WRF, is a nonprofit research organization that funds, manages, and publishes scientific research addressing major challenges across the water sector. Its work covers drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, water reuse, infrastructure, treatment technologies, utility operations, public health, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.
WRF works primarily with water and wastewater utilities, universities, research institutions, engineering companies, technology providers, government agencies, consultants, and other water-sector organizations. Its research grants are designed to generate practical knowledge, tools, technologies, and guidance that water professionals can apply in real operating environments.
The foundation describes its purpose as advancing water science to improve quality of life. Its broader vision is a water sector capable of providing safe, accessible, affordable, and high-quality services while supporting healthy communities and a sustainable global environment.
What Type of Foundation Is WRF?
The Water Research Foundation is a United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. It is not a government department, privately owned company, Danish foundation, or enterprise foundation. Unlike an enterprise foundation that may hold ownership interests in commercial companies, WRF has no shareholders and does not operate through corporate ownership of profit-making businesses.
Its funding model combines subscriber contributions, project co-funding, government grants, private foundation support, research partnerships, and other program revenue. Although its activities have a public-benefit and philanthropic character, WRF is best understood as a collaborative water research organization rather than a traditional charitable grantmaking foundation.
History and Background
Formation of the Present Organization
The current Water Research Foundation was formed in 2018 through the integration of three established water research collaboratives:
- Water Research Foundation
- Water Environment Research Foundation
- WateReuse Research Foundation
Before their integration, the three organizations concentrated on different parts of the water cycle. The legacy Water Research Foundation focused mainly on drinking water, the Water Environment Research Foundation addressed wastewater and stormwater, and the WateReuse Research Foundation specialized in water recycling and reuse.
Bringing the organizations together created a broader One Water research organization. The One Water approach recognizes drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, stormwater, groundwater, surface water, and watersheds as interconnected parts of one water system rather than separate resources.
Integration of Research Platforms
Following the 2018 integration, WRF consolidated three legacy websites and research databases into one platform. The unified website launched in 2019 to give subscribers and water professionals easier access to projects, technical reports, tools, webcasts, research topics, and funding opportunities.
This integration expanded WRF’s ability to coordinate interdisciplinary research. Instead of examining drinking water, wastewater, and reuse separately, the foundation could fund projects addressing the complete water cycle, including relationships among water quality, infrastructure, public health, climate conditions, energy use, utility management, and environmental protection.
Development as a One Water Research Organization
WRF has since developed a portfolio that combines scientific investigation with practical implementation. Its research frequently involves utility demonstration sites, laboratory studies, field trials, technology evaluations, economic assessments, regulatory analysis, operational guidance, and decision-support tools.
The foundation maintains offices in Denver, Colorado, and Alexandria, Virginia, while collaborating with subscribers and researchers in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Its 2024 engagement data showed that website visitors came from countries including the United States, Canada, India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Philippines, and the Netherlands.
Mission and Purpose
Advancing Actionable Water Science
WRF’s mission is to help subscribers identify opportunities and solve problems by delivering actionable research that responds to the needs of the communities they serve. It works with subscribers and water-sector partners to develop research priorities, produce high-quality scientific evidence, and create resources that help utilities apply research findings.
The emphasis on actionable water research distinguishes WRF from organizations that focus exclusively on theoretical or basic research funding. WRF-supported projects may generate new scientific knowledge, but they are generally expected to contribute to practical improvements in water quality, treatment, infrastructure, utility performance, environmental management, or public health.
Improving Water Services
The foundation’s research is intended to help water utilities provide services that are:
- Safe and reliable
- Affordable and accessible
- Environmentally sustainable
- Resilient to climate and operational risks
- Informed by credible scientific evidence
- Responsive to changing community needs
WRF’s strategic objectives include setting standards for water research, improving access to research outputs, strengthening relationships with utilities and research institutions, increasing competitive grant funding, and investing in organizational capacity.
Protecting Public and Environmental Health
Many WRF projects directly address threats to public health and environmental quality. Research topics include pathogens, lead and copper, PFAS, harmful algal blooms, microplastics, antimicrobial resistance, disinfection by-products, water reuse safety, wastewater treatment, biosolids, and source-water protection.
Other projects examine infrastructure reliability, climate adaptation, greenhouse-gas emissions, energy efficiency, water affordability, workforce development, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. This portfolio reflects the close relationship between reliable water services, healthy communities, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Basic Research and Applied Research
WRF is not a general source of unrestricted basic research funding. Its grants are usually connected to clearly defined water-sector challenges and expected deliverables.
However, some projects may include foundational scientific investigation when new knowledge is required before practical solutions can be developed. The Unsolicited Research Program, for example, supports novel and transformative ideas that can substantially advance water science or lead to practical solutions for water-quality challenges.
Governance and Structure
Nonprofit Legal Structure and Ownership
The Water Research Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization. Its resources are dedicated to research, knowledge dissemination, subscriber services, and activities that advance its nonprofit purpose.
WRF has no private owners or equity shareholders. Governance responsibility rests with its Board of Directors, while day-to-day management is handled by the chief executive officer and leadership team.
Board of Directors
WRF’s Board of Directors consists primarily of leaders from water utilities and organizations involved in the water sector. The board provides strategic leadership, establishes organizational policy, oversees operations, and helps ensure that financial and research resources are used appropriately.
As of 2026, the board is chaired by John Entsminger of the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District serves as vice chair, and Clifford Chan of the East Bay Municipal Utility District serves as treasurer.
The board’s composition brings together leaders from drinking-water utilities, wastewater agencies, regional water authorities, engineering organizations, private water companies, and other sector institutions. This structure allows subscriber perspectives and real-world utility needs to influence WRF’s research strategy.
Executive Leadership
WRF’s chief executive officer is Peter Grevatt, PhD. The leadership team also includes executives responsible for operations, research, communications, subscriber services, contract administration, finance, and organizational engagement.
The chief executive officer manages the organization under the strategic direction of the board. The chief research officer and research-services teams coordinate project planning, proposal evaluation, contracting, technical review, research management, and publication.
Research Advisory Council
The Research Advisory Council, or RAC, plays an important role in developing and approving research investments. It reviews research needs, evaluates proposals, and prioritizes projects for funding under programs such as the Research Priority and Unsolicited Research programs.
This expert-based process helps ensure that funded research is scientifically sound, relevant to the water sector, and capable of producing useful outcomes.
Project Advisory Committees
Every WRF research project is assigned a Project Advisory Committee. Committee members monitor progress, provide technical advice, review project materials, and help ensure that the research remains relevant to water-sector needs.
These committees commonly include utility professionals, scientists, engineers, regulators, consultants, academics, and subject-matter experts. Volunteer participation enables WRF to incorporate practical knowledge into research design and implementation.
Funding and Grants
How the Water Research Foundation Is Financed
WRF receives income from several sources, including:
- Subscriber funding
- Project co-funding
- Federal and state government grants
- Private foundation grants
- Facilitated research service fees
- Partner contributions
- Investment and other organizational income
Subscriber funding is central to the organization’s financial model. In fiscal year 2023, WRF reported total revenue of approximately $23.3 million. Subscription funding represented 77% of recognized revenue, while project co-funding and grants represented another 18%. Together, subscription, co-funding, and grant revenue accounted for more than 95% of total revenue.
WRF has received external grants from organizations and agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, state agencies, and nonprofit foundations.
How Research Grants Are Awarded
WRF issues formal Requests for Proposals for many predefined research projects. Applicants review the project objectives, eligibility requirements, available funding, expected deliverables, cost-sharing rules, deadlines, and evaluation criteria before submitting a proposal.
Universities, research institutes, engineering companies, consultants, nonprofit organizations, utilities, and specialist research teams may compete for projects, depending on the requirements of the individual RFP.
Proposals are generally assessed according to factors such as:
- Technical approach and scientific quality
- Understanding of the research problem
- Qualifications of the research team
- Utility and stakeholder participation
- Project management capacity
- Budget and cost effectiveness
- Expected practical value
- Knowledge-transfer and communication plans
Research opportunities are competitive, and funding is not guaranteed. Applicants must follow the instructions and financial policies included in each RFP.
Current Research Funding Opportunities
In May 2026, WRF announced an investment of $6.4 million in 22 new projects through its Research Priority Program. The projects cover issues such as water quality, utility operations, infrastructure, treatment processes, environmental health, and emerging technologies.
For the 2026 Unsolicited Research Program, WRF made approximately $1.89 million available. Individual projects could request between $50,000 and $200,000, with proposals evaluated through a two-stage process involving pre-proposals and invited full proposals.
Funding amounts, deadlines, cost-sharing requirements, indirect-cost policies, and eligibility conditions vary. Researchers should therefore consult the foundation’s official proposal portal and current program guidelines before applying.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Research Priority Program
The Research Priority Program is WRF’s flagship strategic research program. It addresses issues considered broadly relevant to subscribers and the wider water sector.
Research is organized around major themes such as:
- Healthy communities and the environment
- Treatment innovation and optimization
- Efficient resource use and recovery
- Resilient infrastructure
- Utility operations and management
Projects cover both immediate operational needs and longer-term challenges. The program follows a structured planning process that includes subscriber input, expert participation, board-approved themes, and Research Advisory Council review.
Unsolicited Research Program
The Unsolicited Research Program allows researchers to propose innovative ideas that are not limited to predetermined RFP topics. It supports potentially transformative projects capable of advancing water science, addressing knowledge gaps, or developing new approaches to water-quality and sustainability challenges.
The program is especially relevant to researchers with novel concepts that may not fit within an existing Research Priority project. Applications are highly competitive and undergo scientific and strategic review.
Tailored Collaboration Program
The Tailored Collaboration Program supports utility-specific or regional research questions that also have broader relevance to WRF subscribers.
Under this matching model, participating utilities contribute financial or in-kind resources, while WRF provides additional research funding. For selected 2025 projects, WRF offered matching support on a one-to-one basis up to $150,000.
In December 2025, WRF announced 13 new Tailored Collaboration projects with a combined research value of nearly $6 million. The projects addressed subjects including artificial intelligence, corrosion control, reuse, treatment, PFAS, and utility operations.
Emerging Opportunities Program
The Emerging Opportunities Program allows WRF to respond rapidly to urgent or newly developing challenges. Research ideas may arise from changing regulations, new contaminants, environmental emergencies, technological developments, or unexpected operating conditions.
The program is overseen strategically by WRF’s Executive Committee and supports timely research developed with foundation staff and sector partners.
Examples funded in 2024 included wildfire-related infrastructure resilience, artificial intelligence risks and opportunities, microplastics research, distributed-system monitoring, utility governance, and PFAS treatment.
Facilitated Research Program
The Facilitated Research Program enables utilities to collaborate on shared research needs through a centrally coordinated process. Participating organizations pool knowledge, resources, data, and experience to investigate common challenges.
Projects may involve data management, digital technologies, infrastructure analysis, peer review, treatment optimization, or other issues that several utilities want to address together. In 2024, four projects received more than $1 million through the program.
Sponsored Research and Government Grants
WRF also manages research financed by federal agencies, state governments, utilities, philanthropic institutions, and other partners.
In 2025, the California State Water Resources Control Board awarded WRF a third grant of $1.5 million for potable and non-potable water-reuse research. The multi-year funding, covering 2025–2030, is supporting seven research projects.
Other sponsored work has received support from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, National Philanthropic Trust, and water-sector partners.
Water Research Awards
WRF administers awards that recognize innovation and research impact. One of its best-known initiatives is the Paul L. Busch Award, which provides a $100,000 research award for innovative work that can contribute to water quality and the water environment.
The 2024 award supported research into advanced water-quality treatment, demonstrating how WRF uses prizes in addition to conventional research grants to encourage scientific innovation.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Scale of Research Investment
During 2024, WRF reported bringing approximately $10 million in new research into its portfolio through its major programs. This included 26 Research Priority projects totaling $5.9 million, 11 Unsolicited Research projects receiving approximately $1.8 million, 12 Tailored Collaboration projects receiving about $1.59 million, 15 Emerging Opportunities projects totaling approximately $942,500, and four Facilitated Research projects valued at more than $1 million.
In the same year, the foundation published 32 final reports, 29 project information summaries, and 58 project updates. The published research represented approximately $11.7 million in research investment.
PFAS Research
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are a major area of WRF research. Projects examine PFAS detection, source identification, treatment, removal, destruction, management of contaminated residuals, and prevention of PFAS entering drinking-water and wastewater systems.
Recent funded projects have investigated PFAS in reverse-osmosis concentrate, contaminated sludge, solids-dewatering streams, granular activated carbon, wastewater residuals, and potable-reuse systems. These projects help utilities evaluate treatment options and respond to changing regulatory and public-health expectations.
Water Reuse Research
WRF supports extensive research on potable and non-potable reuse. This includes treatment technologies, pathogen control, chemical contaminants, public communication, regulatory validation, decentralized reuse, monitoring, and integration of recycled water into broader water-supply systems.
Examples include direct potable-reuse pilot projects, biofiltration studies, pathogen-removal protocols, membrane-fouling research, and work on incorporating equitable outcomes into reuse planning.
Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability
WRF research helps utilities assess climate risks, adapt infrastructure, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, manage floods, diversify water supplies, and protect watersheds.
Projects address nature-based solutions, stormwater capture, salinity changes, wildfire damage, energy efficiency, methane and nitrous-oxide emissions, resource recovery, and climate-resilient treatment.
Infrastructure and Asset Management
Aging pipes, pumping systems, treatment facilities, storage infrastructure, and sewer networks create significant financial and operational challenges for utilities.
WRF funds research into pipe-condition assessment, corrosion control, infrastructure replacement costs, asset-health monitoring, smart sewer systems, distribution-system integrity, and infrastructure interdependencies. The results can help utilities prioritize investments, reduce failure risks, and extend the useful life of essential assets.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation
Artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies are emerging priorities within WRF’s portfolio. Projects examine the use of AI for water-resource planning, harmful algal-bloom detection, utility data integration, treatment optimization, infrastructure monitoring, and organizational decision-making.
WRF also studies the potential risks, ethical considerations, governance needs, and practical limitations associated with generative AI in the water sector.
Public Health and Water Quality
Research funded by WRF has examined Legionella in drinking-water systems, lead exposure, cyanobacterial outbreaks, viral pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, microplastics, disinfection by-products, and microbial contamination.
For example, completed research has studied the occurrence of PFAS compounds in U.S. wastewater facilities, the effectiveness of flushing for reducing Legionella, health risks associated with antibiotic resistance, and community-based models for lead-risk mitigation.
Translating Research into Practice
WRF’s impact is not limited to publishing technical reports. It also produces web tools, project summaries, workshops, webcasts, guidance documents, case studies, and educational materials.
During 2024, WRF recorded more than 11,900 webcast registrations, over 6,400 live viewers, and approximately 2,430 on-demand views. Popular topics included wastewater greenhouse-gas emissions, nutrient removal, utility digital transformation, water reuse, lead and copper compliance, and antimicrobial resistance.
This emphasis on dissemination helps utility managers, engineers, scientists, regulators, and policymakers convert research findings into operational decisions and community benefits.
Conclusion
The Water Research Foundation is an important global contributor to water science, applied research, utility innovation, and environmental protection. Formed in 2018 through the integration of three specialized research collaboratives, WRF now supports a comprehensive One Water portfolio spanning drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, reuse, infrastructure, treatment, public health, climate resilience, and utility management.
WRF is a nonprofit educational organization rather than a privately owned company or enterprise foundation. It has no shareholders or corporate ownership structure. Its financial sustainability depends primarily on subscriber funding, competitive grants, project co-funding, partnerships, and research-service revenue.
For universities, research institutes, utilities, engineering companies, consultants, nonprofit organizations, and individual research teams, WRF offers valuable opportunities through Requests for Proposals, the Unsolicited Research Program, Tailored Collaboration, sponsored projects, advisory committees, and research awards.
Applicants seeking general philanthropic support or unrestricted basic research funding should recognize that WRF’s grants are usually designed around practical water-sector outcomes. The strongest proposals are scientifically rigorous, responsive to clearly identified utility needs, collaborative, financially realistic, and capable of producing tools or knowledge that can be applied across the water sector.
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