Research Area: Integrated Water

Our Objective

SIWM takes a holistic approach to wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, and reclaimed water to achieve the goal of “One Water”, or Integrated Water Management (IWM). WE&RF’s IWM approach includes a portfolio of centralized and decentralized systems, a mix of gray and green infrastructure, increased recycling of water and nutrients, and resource recovery implemented at a variety of levels. Working collaboratively with other water organizations and partners, WE&RF aims to provide guidance through demonstrations, best practices, and decision-making tools for a paradigm shift towards sustainable water management. These new systems offer economic opportunities for both public and private sectors, as well as increased social and environmental value for the community. SIWM incorporates the climate impacts on water quantity and quality that will enable communities to analyze risk tolerance and address climate resilience.

The key areas within WE&RF’s Sustainable Integrated Water Management (SIWM) program are: integrated water, stormwater, watersheds, decentralized systems, and climate impacts on water quantity and quality.

Latest News

Research to Facilitate the Recognition of Green Infrastructure Co-Benefits

WE&RF seeks competitive proposals for research to quantify the multiple benefits of implementing green infrastructure (GI) and to evaluate its economic, environmental/ecological, and social values.

Water Environment & Reuse Foundation and Water Research Foundation Release Guidance on Fostering Innovation Within Water Utilities

WE&RF and Water Research Foundation (WRF), in partnership with Birmingham Water Works Board and utilities from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, have published a guidance manual for innovation based on successful programs in the utility and commercial sectors.

Danish Cleantech Hub Launching New Water Tech Think Tank in New York

The NY Blue Tech think tank focused on Integrated Water Management, Wastewater, Blue-Green Infrastructure and Climate Adaptation is being launched Friday, May 5th in connection with New York City’s Smart City Expo.

More Comfort and Certainty in the Ability of Onsite Treatment Systems to Serve Non-Potable Water Needs

New research removes a primary institutional barrier to onsite water treatment.

Online Tool Created to Assist Operators in Extreme Weather Scenarios

In order to better plan for the future, several of the largest water agencies and organizations, including WE&RF, collaborated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a water resources dashboard.

Products & Tools

International Stormwater BMP Database: 2016 Summary Statistics (03-SW-1COh)

Provides a summary of BMP performance for total suspended solids, nutrients, metals, and bacteria for the most commonly monitored and reported BMP types available in the 2016 release of the International BMP Database.

Fostering Innovation Within Water Utilities (LIFT11C15)

This report provides information to assist utilities seeking to foster innovation and manage ideas as valuable resources.

Drivers, Hindrances, Planning, and Benefits Quantification: Economic Pathways and Partners for Water Reuse and Stormwater Harvesting (SIWM8R14)

This report focuses on the drivers, hindrances, and planning of water reuse projects and reports on how utilities that have and have not built reuse projects see them differently.

Risk-Based Framework for the Development of Public Health Guidance for Decentralized Non-Potable Water Systems (SIWM10C15)

This research developed a risk-based framework to establish scale-appropriate water quality criteria for decentralized non-potable water systems that protect public health.

National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems - Project Fact Sheet

National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems advances best management practices to support the use of onsite non-potable water systems for individual buildings or at the local scale.