About The Water Research Foundation:
Our story began more than 50 years ago with the investment of $34,000 from the American Water Works Association to form a nonprofit 501(c)(3) research foundation whose goal was to fund applied research important to water utilities. Today, we are the world’s leading one water research and innovation organization operating on six continents. Our Foundation represents approximately 1,200 subscribers, hosts an online research library of more than 2,300 projects valued at $700 million, manages an innovation platform with a database of more than 140 innovative technologies, and so much more.
2021 Technical Presentations:
Abstract: Milestones from Canadian and US Partnerships Benefitting Small and Medium Sized Utilities
Day 1: December 7, 2021 at 11:15 AM AT
Integrated, risk-based planning can help utilities account for, and overcome, challenges such as aging infrastructure, population shifts, climate change, and stricter regulatory requirements, along with the uncertainty that surrounds these challenges. However, successful implementation of these planning efforts can be out of reach for smaller utilities with limited resources. The Water Research Foundation expert community has many initiatives in progress to address this gap.
The session will represent the milestones and accomplishments of The Water Research Foundation utility and expert collaborators in exploring partnerships, compliance needs, and other drivers of risk and risk management solutions for small utilities. Examples of solutions and partnerships benefitting smaller utilities include algae taste and odor, algae toxin formation and mitigation. Another successful area of support from research and innovation for smaller utilities includes lead management and mitigation measures that affect decisions for asset management, treatment, and customer communication. The Water Research Foundation utility network proactively seeks input in many problem-solving research and innovation initiatives to benefit small and medium sized utilities such as implementing integrated, risk-based planning strategies that also address social equity issues within unique constraints for smaller utilities.
WRF has multiple ongoing research initiatives to make conference attendees aware of and many other completed projects for strong educational foundation for conference attendees. Leading Canadian utility experts work together and internationally through WRF to tackle challenges benefitting utilities of all sizes and service capacities.
Conference attendees will also learn more about The Water Research Foundation research prioritization updates in addition to our international collaborations with Canadian, Australian, US and European institutions regarding factors for risk management, climate change and regulatory compliance for small water and wastewater systems.
About Mike Dirks, Regional Liaison / Senior Account Manager:
Michael Dirks, “Mike,” is a Regional Liaison from the Water Research Foundation to subscribers in four states and three Canadian territories.
Mike received a Bachelor of Science from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL in 2003 and a Master of Public Health in Global Environmental Health from Emory University in 2010. Prior to joining WRF, Mike worked in various public service and environmental consulting roles.
Additional biographical information from WRF Youtube Channel: https://youtu.be/YQoezYP-XbU