Applications Invited for Crossing the Divide Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issues

Applications Invited for Crossing the Divide Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issues

Organization: The Water Research Foundation (WRF)

Apply By: 26 Sep 2026

Grant Amount: 250000 USD

About the Organization

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public. WRF was formed in 2018 through the integration of three highly respected research collaboratives: WateReuse Research Foundation, Water Environment Research Foundation, and Water Research Foundation. Separately, these organizations focused on research to support varied segments of the water sector—water reuse, wastewater and stormwater, and drinking water, respectively. Now a One Water organization, WRF delivers the research programming the sector needs to address the most pressing water issues holistically.

About the Proposal

Wastewater utilities and collection system operators face continuing challenges to provide cost-effective sewer services in the face of rising demand from new customers connecting to their sewer systems; urban redevelopment in existing service areas; and performance disruptors such as root intrusion, pipe degradation, and blockages in municipal laterals and privately owned sewers. I&I and obstruction management (e.g., roots, grease, debris, collection system defects, etc.) remain persistent, costly problems for property owners and municipalities without the availability of a consolidated resource to guide program design. I&I in combined and separate sanitary sewer systems have been a long-standing problem for municipalities, overwhelming and degrading treatment performance, causing spills to the environment, and reducing available capacity for new and existing customers. During wet weather events, peak I&I flows can increase influent flows to treatment plants by three to five times average flows. The overwhelming evidence from many studies suggests that as much as 80% of I&I originates on private property (Merrill 2003). Other studies indicate root intrusions are responsible for over 50% of sewer blockages globally, driving structural damage, environmental contamination, impacts on water quality, and service disruptions (Khan and Mohammadi 2024). Unlike traditional, focused source control programs (e.g., pretreatment) that regulate water quality and quantity from specific dischargers, I&I and obstruction management at the street and private-property level demands a fundamentally different relationship with overlapping jurisdictions and the private sector. Program effectiveness varies widely across utilities depending on statutory authority, multi-jurisdictional overlap with intermediate municipalities and other authorities, available enforcement mechanisms (e.g., permits, voluntary certification programs, and real estate inspections at point of sale), a source’s willingness to participate and pay for remediation, and opportunities to incentivize remediation activities.

Central Research Questions:

- What I&I and obstruction management practices are utilities using today, and how do they vary by jurisdictional/regulatory/infrastructure/environmental conditions? - Which factors most influence successful implementation, and what barriers commonly derail programs? - What measurable benefits (cost avoidance, capacity recovery, reduced spill risk, improved regulatory standing) have utilities realized from successful programs? This project extends WRF's ongoing "State-of-Practice Manual for Inflow and Infiltration Detection and Mitigation at Street and Private Lateral Levels" (Project 5365) into I&I source control and obstruction management specifically.

Research Approach (4 Tasks):

- Literature and Regulatory Review — Comprehensive review of legal authorities/regulations in the US and comparable international jurisdictions; catalog program elements, enforcement mechanisms, incentive structures, and legal/jurisdictional barriers - Utility Survey and Case Study Development — Broad survey across utility size/geography/system type; select at least 5 diverse in-depth case studies with quantitative results (I&I reduction %, reduced bypass pumping, reduced basement backups, cost savings, recovered capacity, reduced blockage-related spills/service calls) - Utility Workshop — At least one invitation-only workshop with utility representatives to present survey findings and gather structured feedback on draft guidance content - Interactive Manual of Practice — Development of a decision-support tool/web-based application/interactive PDF enabling utilities to select effective I&I/obstruction program elements based on their statutory authority, jurisdictional complexity, and enforcement mechanisms

Expected Deliverables:

- Research report (using WRF's Research Report Template) including literature/regulatory review - Interactive manual of practice (following Technology Deliverables Guidance) - In-depth utility survey, state-of-the-practice report, and at least 5 standalone case studies with quantitative results - Summary documentation of the utility workshop, including feedback and how it was incorporated

Project Duration: 24 months from contract start date (No-Cost Extension Policy caps extensions at 9 months beyond original schedule)

Eligibility to Submit

- Open to both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities — educational institutions, research organizations, governmental agencies, consultants, or for-profit entities. Researchers late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies (without approved no-cost extensions) are not eligible as named participants. Not open to individuals (same institutional-applicant structure as RFP 5424).

Budget/Funding:

- Maximum WRF funding: $250,000

- Applicant must contribute at least 33% of the project award as additional resources (cost share, applicant in-kind, or third-party in-kind per 2 CFR Part 200.306) - Proposals not meeting the 33% minimum match will not be accepted How to Apply

Application Deadline: October 26, 2026, 3:00 PM Mountain Time (GMT-07:00)

For more information, please check the link: Applications Invited for Crossing the Divide Best Practices for Addressing Local and Privately-Owned Lateral Sewer Issue

Funding organisation: The Water Research Foundation (WRF)

Grant announcement listed on NGOBOX. Applications are made to the funding organisation — see the official announcement.