The Water Research Foundation is a member-supported, international, nonprofit organization that sponsors research to enable water utilities, public health agencies, and other professionals to provide safe and affordable drinking water to consumers.
"Who is the Water Research Foundation" (YouTube video)

Our mission: Advancing the science of water.

We work to achieve the mission in three ways:

By sponsoring research. The Water Research Foundation sponsors an anticipatory and scientifically credible research program that is responsive to the needs of the water supply community.
By developing knowledge. The Water Research Foundation identifies the practical benefits of research findings and delivers this knowledge to stakeholders throughout the water supply community.
By promoting collaboration. The Water Research Foundation cultivates partnerships with organizations around the world to leverage funding and share expertise.

The Foundation was established in 1966 to provide a centralized, practical research program for the drinking water community. Its research program, which is highly respected as being one of the most scientifically credible and best-coordinated in the world, focuses on four main goal areas:

• Infrastructure
• Management and Customer Relations
• Water Quality
• Water Resources and Environmental Sustainability

Specific research projects focus on the following:

• Treatment
• Distribution
• Resources
• Monitoring & Analysis
• Management
• Health Effects

Our Subscribers
The Foundation is comprised of, and largely funded by, member organizations that voluntarily subscribe in order to support and benefit from the water-related research that the Foundation sponsors. Close to 900 water utilities worldwide currently subscribe to the Foundation. In addition, more than 50 water-related consulting firms and manufacturing companies are subscribers.

The majority of our subscribers are in the United States. Others are located in Canada, Australia, and Europe. Our collaborating partners are situated all over the globe.

Since its inception, the Foundation has sponsored more than $460 million in research, represented by more than 800 completed research projects. Subscribers provide more than $12 million annually to fund research. This money is supplemented each year by several million dollars allocated by the U.S. government and is leveraged through collaborative partnerships with other research organizations.

In addition to monetary support, the high level of research activity sponsored by the Foundation would not be possible without the efforts of more than 700 subscriber volunteers who serve on committees and councils, providing expertise in a variety of research topic areas.

Benefits to Subscribers
In return for their fees, subscribers to the Foundation receive:

• Peer-reviewed and scientifically credible knowledge and technologies to apply at their organization
• Free research reports, published at the completion of each project
• Complimentary registration at conferences, workshops, and online seminars sponsored by the Foundation
• Access to the Foundation's network of researchers and drinking water experts
• Complete access to the Foundation's research information via the Web site
• The opportunity to have input into the research agenda
• The Foundation's monthly and bimonthly periodicals
• The opportunity to participate in projects or serve on one or more committees that provide ongoing peer review of research
• The opportunity to submit proposals for research projects

Join the Foundation.

How We Operate
Subscribers steer the Foundation in almost every respect. The Foundation is governed by an elected board of trustees, most of whom are water utility managers. The board also includes representatives appointed by the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, the National Association of Water Companies, and the American Water Works Association, as well as three members elected from the Foundation's subscriber base.

The research agenda is developed in consultation with subscribers, drinking water community experts, working professionals, and technical advisory groups. Hundreds of suggestions are examined to identify high-priority projects most crucial to the drinking water community. The final research agenda is then approved by the board of trustees.

Each approved project is assigned an advisory committee of volunteer experts in a specific area of study. The advisory committees evaluate proposals, select contractors, and monitor projects through to completion.

A full-time staff of more than 40 employees serves as the coordinating group for the various research functions. Staff includes professionals with expertise in biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, management, and communications.