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

Request for Proposals for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems Project

The Water Research Foundation is seeking proposals for research entitled Development of a Design, Operations, and Regulations Guidance Manual and Training Materials for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems (#4909).

Keynote Speakers Announced for the 2018 Water Research Foundation Conference

The Water Research Foundation has announced the keynote speakers at the 2018 Research Conference on advancing reuse and integrated water.

Research Contract Awarded to Understand Implementation of Stream Restoration Crediting Guidance in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (now known as The Water Research Foundation) recently awarded a contract to the Center for Watershed Protection (Ellicott City, Maryland) to begin “Crediting Water Quality Benefits from Stream Restoration: Implementation of Case Studies in the Mid-Atlantic Region” (SIWM-17-17).

Water Innovation in the Face of a Changing Climate - the Atlantic Council

This article identifies WE&RF and other organizations that are on the frontlines of innovative change that work to disseminate applied research and technology advancement in the water industry.

National Blue Ribbon Commission Releases Guidebook for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems

The NBRC released a set of tools and resources for developing and implementing regulations for onsite non-potable water systems that collect, treat, and reuse water within individual buildings or at the local scale.

Products & Tools

Agricultural Best Management Practices Database (AgBMPDB): Version 2.0 Data Summary (SIWM15T16)

Provides a summary of agricultural BMP performance data available in the second release of the Agricultural Best Management Practice Database (AgBMPDB).

Agricultural Best Management Practices Database (AgBMPDB): Version 2.0 Data Summary (SIWM14T16)

Provides a summary of agricultural BMP performance data available in the second release of the Agricultural Best Management Practice Database (AgBMPDB).

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.