RFAs: Research on Manganese Behaviour in Drinking Water Systems

Deadline: 26-Oct-2026

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) invites eligible organisations to submit proposals to investigate manganese (Mn) behaviour, accumulation, and release in drinking water distribution and premise plumbing systems. The project will examine how manganese interacts with water chemistry, corrosion control treatments, hydraulic conditions, and biological processes to improve understanding of system-specific risks and inform monitoring and mitigation strategies.

About the Research Project

This WRF-funded research project aims to advance knowledge of manganese behaviour in drinking water distribution systems and premise plumbing. The research will characterize the spatial and temporal variability of manganese concentrations and speciation and examine how these characteristics affect manganese occurrence, stability, accumulation, and release. The project will also investigate the processes responsible for manganese mobilization, including the release of long-term legacy deposits that may accumulate within distribution and plumbing systems. Research Objectives The project is expected to address several key areas of manganese behaviour and management.

Research objectives include:

- Characterizing spatial and temporal variability in manganese concentrations. - Characterizing manganese speciation in drinking water systems. - Examining how manganese speciation interacts with water chemistry. - Assessing interactions with corrosion control treatments. - Investigating the effects of complexing agents. - Evaluating manganese stability and release. - Understanding the mobilization of long-term legacy manganese deposits. - Examining chemical, hydraulic, and biological processes affecting manganese. - Evaluating approaches for reducing manganese accumulation and release. - Developing monitoring strategies to identify system-specific manganese risks. Understanding Manganese Speciation An important part of the research is understanding manganese speciation and how different forms of manganese behave under varying water conditions. The project will examine relationships between manganese speciation and: - Water chemistry. - Corrosion control treatments. - Complexing agents. - Manganese stability. - Manganese release. Understanding these relationships can help utilities better evaluate why manganese accumulates in particular systems and under what conditions it may become mobilized. Manganese Accumulation and Legacy Deposits The research will investigate manganese accumulation within drinking water distribution and premise plumbing systems, including the potential role of long-term legacy deposits. These deposits may remain in systems for extended periods before being mobilized. The project will examine how chemical, hydraulic, and biological conditions can contribute to the release of accumulated manganese and how these processes may affect drinking water quality. Mitigation Strategies The project will assess strategies that can help reduce manganese accumulation and release. Potential approaches to be evaluated include: - Corrosion control treatments. - System flushing. - Maintenance practices. - Other operational practices for managing manganese risks. The research will consider the effectiveness of these approaches in different system conditions and help identify practices that can be used to manage manganese accumulation and release. Monitoring and Risk Management Another key objective is to develop recommendations for monitoring manganese in drinking water systems. The recommendations are expected to help utilities: - Identify system-specific manganese risks. - Detect manganese accumulation. - Monitor manganese stability and potential release. - Understand conditions that may mobilize legacy deposits. - Develop appropriate responses to manganese-related risks. - Prepare for anticipated regulatory changes. The findings could support utilities in developing monitoring approaches that are better matched to the characteristics and risks of individual systems. Funding Available Applicants may request up to $400,000 in WRF funding for the project. The requested budget should support research activities necessary to address the project’s objectives and develop practical recommendations for manganese monitoring and management. Who Can Apply? Proposals are accepted from both U.S.-based and non-U.S.-based entities.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Educational institutions. - Research organisations. - Governmental agencies. - Consultants. - Other for-profit entities. The broad eligibility allows researchers and organisations from different sectors and countries to contribute expertise to this drinking water research project. Important Eligibility Restriction Researchers who are late on any ongoing WRF-sponsored studies and do not have an approved no-cost extension are not eligible to be named as participants in proposals. Applicants should therefore ensure that any proposed research participants meet WRF’s requirements regarding ongoing sponsored studies before submitting a proposal. Expected Research Outcomes The project is expected to generate practical knowledge about how manganese behaves within drinking water distribution and premise plumbing systems.

Potential outcomes include:

- Improved understanding of manganese occurrence and speciation. - Better understanding of manganese accumulation and release. - Identification of chemical, hydraulic, and biological factors affecting manganese stability. - Evaluation of strategies for mitigating manganese accumulation. - Improved flushing and maintenance approaches. - System-specific monitoring recommendations. - Better detection of legacy manganese deposits and their mobilization. - Information to help utilities prepare for potential regulatory changes. Importance of the Research Manganese behaviour in drinking water systems can be influenced by complex interactions among water chemistry, treatment practices, infrastructure, hydraulic conditi