Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA), The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has announced a new research funding opportunity seeking proposals to explore innovative approaches for improving municipal wastewater reuse in California. Through this initiative, eligible U.S.-based organizations can receive up to $300,000 to evaluate reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) and brine reduction technologies, examining their technical performance, environmental sustainability, practical implementation, and potential for wider adoption. The project aims to support more efficient water reuse practices while helping utilities address concentrate management challenges and strengthen long-term water resilience.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.
Last Date of Submission: 2nd September 2026
Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA) Overview
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) has announced a new research grant opportunity to support projects that advance sustainable municipal wastewater reuse in California. This funding initiative focuses on evaluating emerging technologies that improve water recovery, reduce waste streams, and enhance the efficiency of advanced wastewater treatment systems.
The research will examine reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) management and minimal liquid discharge (MLD) technologies to determine their technical performance, environmental benefits, operational practicality, and economic feasibility. The findings are expected to help water utilities and regulators make informed decisions while promoting the adoption of innovative solutions for long-term water sustainability.
Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA) Program Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Program Name | Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Reuse Research Project |
| Funding Organization | Water Research Foundation (WRF) |
| Funding Type | Research Grant |
| Maximum Funding | Up to $300,000 |
| Project Duration | 24 Months |
| Eligible Applicants | U.S.-based universities, educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, consulting firms, and eligible for-profit organizations |
| Research Focus | Municipal wastewater reuse, reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC), brine minimization, minimal liquid discharge (MLD), and sustainable water management |
Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA) Program Objectives
The research project seeks to:
- Evaluate the scalability of emerging wastewater treatment and reuse technologies.
- Assess the operational performance of ROC management and brine minimization systems.
- Analyze the financial feasibility of advanced wastewater treatment solutions.
- Measure energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Examine regulatory requirements influencing technology deployment.
- Study how variations in source water quality affect treatment performance.
- Develop practical implementation strategies for wastewater reuse technologies.
- Compare the advantages and limitations of different treatment approaches.
- Review lessons learned from existing wastewater reuse projects.
- Identify research gaps and recommend priorities for future innovation.
What is Municipal Wastewater Reuse?
Municipal wastewater reuse involves treating wastewater generated from residential, commercial, and community sources so that it can be safely reused for purposes such as drinking water production, agricultural irrigation, industrial applications, groundwater recharge, and environmental restoration.
By recovering and reusing treated water, communities can reduce dependence on freshwater resources, improve drought resilience, and strengthen long-term water security.
Understanding ROC and MLD Technologies
Reverse Osmosis Concentrate (ROC)
Reverse Osmosis Concentrate (ROC) is the concentrated by-product produced during the reverse osmosis purification process. It contains dissolved salts, minerals, and contaminants removed from treated water.
Proper management of ROC is one of the major challenges in advanced water reuse because disposal can be costly and may have environmental consequences.
Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD)
Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) technologies are designed to maximize water recovery while significantly reducing the amount of liquid waste generated during treatment.
These systems help improve resource efficiency, lower disposal requirements, and reduce the environmental footprint of wastewater treatment operations.
Importance of this Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA)
California continues to invest heavily in water recycling to address increasing water demand and recurring drought conditions. However, effective management of reverse osmosis concentrate remains a significant technical and economic hurdle.
This research will generate valuable information on which technologies offer the best combination of performance, affordability, sustainability, and scalability. The results will support utilities, policymakers, and regulators in accelerating the adoption of next-generation wastewater reuse solutions.
Open Grants 2026 for Enabling Sustainable Water Reuse in California United States of America (USA) Funding Details
The Water Research Foundation will provide:
- Maximum Grant Amount: Up to $300,000
- Funding is intended for research that advances sustainable municipal wastewater reuse technologies and improves concentrate management practices.
Project Duration
Selected research projects are expected to be completed within:
- 24 months from the contract start date.
Applicants should design a realistic project schedule that fits within the approved implementation period.
Research Focus Areas
Proposals may cover one or more of the following topics:
Technology Scalability
- Evaluate whether emerging technologies can operate effectively at the municipal level.
- Measure performance under varying operating conditions.
- Identify barriers to large-scale implementation.
Operational Performance
- Assess system reliability.
- Evaluate maintenance and operational requirements.
- Examine compatibility with existing wastewater treatment facilities.
Economic Analysis
- Compare capital investment and operating expenses.
- Analyze lifecycle costs.
- Assess long-term financial sustainability.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact
- Measure energy requirements.
- Evaluate greenhouse gas emissions.
- Identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts.
Regulatory Considerations
- Review current regulatory requirements.
- Identify policy challenges affecting technology adoption.
- Provide recommendations for future regulatory development.
Source Water Variability
- Examine how wastewater characteristics influence treatment performance.
- Identify factors that affect successful implementation in different regions.
Technology Adoption
- Develop practical implementation pathways.
- Identify barriers and enabling factors.
- Support utility decision-making for future investments.
Early-Adopter Case Studies
- Analyze existing wastewater reuse projects.
- Document successful implementation strategies.
- Highlight lessons learned and best practices.
Future Research Priorities
- Identify remaining knowledge gaps.
- Recommend future research directions.
- Support continued advancement of wastewater reuse technologies.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are invited from eligible U.S.-based organizations, including:
- Educational institutions
- Universities and colleges
- Research organizations
- Government agencies
- Consulting firms
- Eligible for-profit organizations
Applicants should have expertise in wastewater treatment, environmental engineering, desalination, water reuse, water resource management, or related scientific disciplines.
Ineligible Applicants
Researchers who are currently behind schedule on ongoing Water Research Foundation-funded studies, without an approved no-cost extension under the WRF Board of Directors’ Timeliness Policy, are not eligible to serve as named proposal team members. Organizations should verify compliance with all WRF eligibility requirements before applying.
Expected Outcomes
Successful projects are expected to:
- Advance knowledge of ROC and MLD technologies.
- Identify wastewater reuse solutions suitable for large-scale implementation.
- Reduce environmental impacts associated with wastewater treatment.
- Improve energy efficiency.
- Support evidence-based regulatory decisions.
- Accelerate adoption of innovative water reuse technologies.
- Provide practical guidance for water utilities.
- Strengthen California’s long-term water sustainability.
Project Implementation
Selected organizations will carry out comprehensive technical, operational, environmental, and economic evaluations of emerging wastewater reuse technologies.
The research will compare alternative implementation strategies, assess technology performance, analyze case studies from existing projects, identify deployment challenges, and develop recommendations that enable utilities and regulators to make informed decisions regarding future wastewater reuse investments.
How to apply?
Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below
Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link
FAQs – Water Research Foundation Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Reuse Research Grant 2026
Q1. What is the Water Research Foundation Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Reuse Research Grant 2026?
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Reuse Research Grant 2026 is a funding program that supports research on innovative technologies for wastewater reuse, particularly those focused on reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) management, brine reduction, and minimal liquid discharge (MLD) systems.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply for the WRF Wastewater Reuse Research Grant 2026?
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based universities, educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, consulting firms, and qualified for-profit entities with expertise in water treatment, wastewater management, environmental engineering, desalination, or related scientific fields.
Q3. How much funding is available under the WRF Sustainable Municipal Wastewater Reuse Grant?
The Water Research Foundation will provide up to $300,000 for the selected research project. The funded study is expected to be completed within a 24-month project period.
Q4. What research topics are covered under this wastewater reuse funding opportunity?
The grant supports research related to municipal wastewater reuse, reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) management, minimal liquid discharge (MLD) technologies, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, regulatory considerations, technology scalability, and sustainable water resource management.
Q5. What outcomes does the Water Research Foundation expect from funded projects?
Funded projects should generate practical insights into the performance and feasibility of advanced wastewater reuse technologies, support regulatory and utility decision-making, reduce environmental impacts, improve water recovery, and help advance sustainable water reuse solutions across California and beyond.
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