CFAs: Innovative Approaches to Extend Lifetime and Minimize O/M

Deadline: 05-Oct-2026

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is inviting proposals for research that develops and evaluates innovative approaches to extend the functional lifetime and reduce operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements of nature-based water infrastructure. The research will focus on practical strategies for improving the durability, performance, cost-effectiveness, and long-term management of installations such as bioretention systems, constructed wetlands, permeable pavements, and other green infrastructure. Applicants can request up to $250,000 in WRF funding, with a required contribution of at least 33% of the project award through cost share or eligible in-kind support. The anticipated research period is 24 months from the contract start date, and eligible applicants may be based in the United States or internationally. What Is the WRF Nature-Based Water Infrastructure Research Opportunity? The Water Research Foundation is seeking research proposals that address the long-term performance and maintenance challenges of nature-based solutions (NbS) used for water management. Nature-based infrastructure is increasingly being adopted by water utilities and municipalities as an alternative or complement to conventional gray infrastructure.

Examples include:

Bioretention systems. Constructed wetlands. Permeable pavements. Green infrastructure. Other nature-based stormwater management systems. Although these systems can provide environmental and water-management benefits, concerns about maintenance requirements, operational costs, asset longevity, and long-term performance can prevent wider adoption. The proposed research aims to address these concerns by identifying approaches that make nature-based installations more durable and less expensive to maintain. Why Does This Research Matter? Nature-based infrastructure can provide important benefits, but its long-term success depends on appropriate design, construction, vegetation management, sediment control, and maintenance. Poorly designed or maintained systems may experience: Utilities therefore need reliable information about how to design and manage NbS assets for long-term performance and lower O&M costs. The research will help bridge this knowledge gap by identifying practical methods that utilities and other infrastructure owners can apply. What Are Nature-Based Solutions? Nature-based solutions (NbS) use natural processes, ecosystems, vegetation, soils, and engineered ecological systems to address environmental and infrastructure challenges. In water management, NbS can help manage: Stormwater. Runoff. Flooding. Water quality. Infiltration. Sediment. Urban drainage. Examples include constructed wetlands, bioretention facilities, permeable surfaces, and other forms of green infrastructure. What Is Nature-Based Water Infrastructure? Nature-based water infrastructure refers to water-management systems that incorporate natural or ecological processes into their design. Unlike conventional gray infrastructure, which primarily relies on engineered structures such as pipes, channels, and concrete facilities, nature-based infrastructure often combines engineered components with soil, vegetation, water, and ecological processes. The research opportunity focuses specifically on improving the longevity and maintainability of these systems. What Will the Research Aim to Achieve? The project will identify and evaluate innovative approaches for: Extending the functional lifetime of NbS installations. Reducing operations and maintenance requirements. Lowering long-term maintenance costs. Improving hydraulic performance. Improving system reliability. Supporting better design decisions. Improving construction practices. Developing practical maintenance guidance. Establishing benchmarks for performance and O&M. The ultimate goal is to provide actionable guidance for utilities and other NbS owners. What Factors Affect the Longevity of Nature-Based Infrastructure? The research is expected to examine several factors that can influence the useful life and performance of nature-based installations. Hydraulic Optimization Hydraulic design affects how water enters, moves through, and leaves a nature-based system. Effective hydraulic optimization can help: Prevent excessive ponding. Improve infiltration. Reduce clogging. Manage runoff efficiently. Maintain system performance over time. Engineered Media Selection and Replacement The soil or engineered media used in systems such as bioretention facilities can have a major effect on performance.

Research may consider:

Media composition. Hydraulic properties. Contaminant removal. Compaction. Clogging. Long-term performance. Replacement strategies. Understanding when and how engineered media should be replaced can help reduce unnecessary maintenance costs. Plant Selection Vegetation is an important component of many nature-based systems. Reducing unnecessary O&M requirements can improve the economic case for adopting nature-based infrastructure. How Will Utility Practices Be Evaluated? An important component of the research will involve surveying water utilities and other relevant infrastructure owners.

The survey will help document:

Current maintenance practices. Maintenance frequency. O&M costs. Asset performance. Common maintenance problems. Management approaches. Existing benchmarks. Opportunities for improvement. This information can help establish realistic industry benchmarks and identify areas where maintenance practices can be improved. What Are the Expected Benefits? The research is intended to produce benefits for utilities, municipalities, and other organizations that own or manage nature-based infrastructure.

Potential benefits include:

Longer asset lifetimes. Lower O&M costs. Reduced maintenance frequency. Better system performance. Improved lifecycle planning. More reliable infrastructure. Better design decisions. Improved construction practices. Greater confidence in NbS investments.