Global Water Research Coalition: An International Collaboration on Water Research Fred Hauchman1, Danielle Tillman2, Susan Glassmeyer1, Stacy Pfalier1, Hiba Shukairy3 1U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Office of Research and Development (ORD)/National Exposure Research Laboratory; 2EPA/ORD/Office of Science Policy; 3EPA/Office of Water/Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Tin DjlBhins Water Cytto Jn.. -¦4 ^ 1 / « GWRC Decision Process The GWRC develops research priorities and projects through a series of Board meetings and workshops to establish a research agenda, as illustrated in the diagram below: The Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) is a formal, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting international cooperation and collaboration on water-related research. EPA's Office of Research and Development has established a formal partnership with the GWRC to foster collaboration, leverage funding and share knowledge on a global scale. http://www.globaIwaterresearchcoalition.net/ Current Research Priorities Board members nominate issues for consideration, and determine overall interest. For the issues of interest to a majority of the Board, workshops (which include personnel from member organizations and leaders in the scientific fields) are held to determine the current state of the science and set research priorities. Endocrine Disrupting Compounds (EDCs) 4 Priority compound list 4 Analytical round robin 4 Public health and environmental risks of EDCs 4 Occurrence and fate of EDCs in different parts of the water cycle Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products 4 Priority compound list 4 Analytical round robin 4 Removal during wastewater and drinking water treatment Cyanobacterial and Algal Toxins 4 Risk assessment for short term exposure 4 Online and direct monitoring in recreational, source, and treated waters * International guidance manual on the management of toxic algae for water suppliers Aphar Documents detailing the current state of the science, outcomes of the workshops (such as priority compound lists), and research priorities are written and distributed. Water Quality in Distribution Systems 4 Operational management tools for discolored water 4 Design and operation strategies for new and existing distribution systems 4 Survey on the effects of in-house plumbing systems on water quality 4 Survey on best practices for monitoring the security and integrity of distribution systems 9j Mb Selected research projects are initiated through partner collaborations or competitive funding of outside organizations. Research Strategies Under Development 4 Water Reuse 4 Waterborne Pathogens 4 Asset Management 4 Membrane Filtration 4 Membrane Bioreactors drink Information Exchange One of the goals of the partnership between the EPA and the GWRC is to promote the exchange information about research priorities, plans and results. This will be accomplished through several pathways: * Drinking Water Research Information Network (DRINK) http://www.epa.gov/drink 4 EPA Research Update Newsletter (future) 4 Reports from GWRC workshops and results of research projects Disclaimer: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy. epascienceforum Collaborative Science for Environmental Solutions ------- |