SSWR Project

The US EPA, ORD, Safe and Sustainable Water Resources Research Program released its “SSWR Project Charter Water Systems – Project 1.”  (See attached, sswr_project_charters-water_systems)  Biosolids-referenced potential project areas include the following:

“Key Product Title: Predictive Models for Groups of Chemicals
Description: The product will provide and utilize innovative methods, approaches and predictive models to assess groups of regulated chemicals for toxicological evaluation, to estimate the predicted toxicity of groups of chemicals and to determine the chemical(s) within a group responsible for the majority of toxicity. These models will be used to evaluate treatment systems and approaches.
Delivery Date: 2018
Intended Users: OW, States, and utilities
OW/Regional needs which may be met (wholly or in part) include:
Research on fate and transport of emerging contaminants (including trace organics, nanoparticles, and pathogens) in wastewater, surface water, and biosolids, and development of cost effective test methods and management/treatment options to inform risk assessment and potential future wastewater treatment regulations.

Key Product Title: Impact of Changing Input Water Characteristics and Water Treatment Scenarios on DBP and Transformation Product Formation/Occurrence and Health Effects.
Description. This product will develop integrated occurrence and health effects information, focusing on the impact of input water characteristics (for example, bromide/iodide, nitrogen, CCL or emerging contaminant concentrations) and treatment processes on health effects.
Delivery Date: 2019
Intended Users: OW, States, and utilities

OW/Regional needs which may be met (wholly or in part) include:

Research on fate and transport of emerging contaminants (including trace organics, nanoparticles, and pathogens) in wastewater, surface water, and biosolids, and development of cost effective test methods and management/treatment options to inform risk assessment and potential future wastewater treatment regulations.

Key Product Title: Development and demonstration of novel technologies for improved water and wastewater treatment and distribution systems (Output 3)

Description: Reports/journal articles on next generation technologies for drinking and wastewater treatment/reuse. This product will consider novel technologies and approaches that are currently at a relatively late stage of development but not yet to the point where they are used or widely accepted. The product will include technology pilot and full-scale treatment demonstrations to address specific contaminants of concern. Technology advances will apply to drinking water, wastewater and distribution/conveyance systems. Resource recovery and reuse approaches from drinking water and wastewater will also be addressed in this product. Advancements could include:
A. Application of a holistic approach to address water distribution and collection system issues (e.g. biofilms and corrosion);
B. New resource recovery and reuse approaches that encompass the new generations of technologies available for creating fit-for-purpose waters and other resources with acceptable costs
C. The development of innovative techniques for reducing organic matter in water to address multiple problems associated with treatment, disinfection, and disinfection byproducts.
Delivery Date: FY19
Intended Users: Office of Water, Regional Offices, States, Municipalities, Utilities
OW/Regional Needs which may be met (wholly or in part) include:
-Research on fate and transport of emerging contaminants (including trace organics, nanoparticles and pathogens) in wastewater, surface water, and biosolids, and development of cost effective test methods and management/treatment options to inform risk assessment and potential future wastewater treatment regulations.
-Innovative and cost-effective nutrient removal technologies to meet very low limits (below current limit of technology) with minimal carbon footprint. (This could also include R8 input on nutrient treatment in lagoons/ponds in R8 and on consequences (e.g. GHG emissions) from more stringent nutrient removal requirements).”