#USA #Walnut Creek #Brown and Caldwell #Water Research Foundation #climate resilience

Brown and Caldwell Receives Significant Funding for Climate Resilience Initiatives

Brown and Caldwell, a prominent engineering consulting firm known for delivering innovative water and environmental solutions across North America, has been awarded a substantial grant of $650,000 from The Water Research Foundation (WRF). This funding will be utilized to spearhead three cutting-edge research projects dedicated to enhancing the water industry's resilience and sustainability amidst the growing impacts of climate change.

Purpose and Objectives

The primary aim of these projects is to equip water utilities with comprehensive solutions that will make operations more efficient and environmentally responsible. With climate change posing serious challenges, the insights gained from this research are expected to yield benefits that empower the water sector leaders to achieve both operational and sustainability goals. Specifically, the research will culminate in practical outputs such as an inaugural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions library, effective strategies for meeting stringent nutrient discharge limits, and guidelines for collaborative regional management of brine issues.

Dr. Allegra da Silva, the Director of Research Innovation at Brown and Caldwell, expressed pride in the firm's achievement and the importance of the funding. She emphasized the collaborative nature of the research endeavors, stating the focus is on addressing complex challenges faced by the water sector in a way that assures efficient and sustainable water supplies for various communities. "A more resilient water sector supports a more resilient world," she noted.

Details of the Research Projects

1. Establishing a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Library

The first project focuses on creating a pioneering GHG emissions library targeting unit processes used by water utilities and decentralized systems, known as WRF 5255. Collaborating with over 30 utilities, the dedicated project team will gather critical emissions data, which will serve as a robust data repository. This will greatly enhance the ability of organizations to predict GHG emissions related to various water processes, ultimately promoting improved safety and resource recovery. A $250,000 portion of the grant from WRF will support this $956,150 initiative, with results anticipated by late 2027.

2. Advancing Nutrient Removal Techniques

The second project, designated as WRF 5245, will explore alternative methodologies to the traditional energy-intensive biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes. Led by Dr. Mark Miller, the initiative investigates the use of Internally Stored Carbon (ISC), significantly optimizing nutrient removal and enhancing efficiency. The potential benefits include reduced operational costs and carbon footprints in facilities nationwide. With grants contributing $250,000 towards the nearly $725,000 project, results are expected in the year 2027.

3. Creating Effective Brine Management Solutions

The final proposed project, labeled WRF 5256, will devise a framework aimed at regionally co-managing brine streams produced by various water-related processes. Co-led by Krystal Perez and Lenise Marrero, the aim is to provide municipalities and industries with strategies for efficiently handling brine, a significant challenge exacerbated by recent changes in climate. This $303,000 project will also be supported by a $150,000 grant from WRF, with project insights expected between 2026 and 2027.

WRF's Role in Advancing Water Research

The Water Research Foundation plays a crucial role as the leading research organization dedicated to advancing water sciences to meet the evolving demands of the sector. By funding initiatives like these, WRF strives to foster an environment where innovative solutions can flourish, ultimately benefitting the entire water management community. Those interested in staying abreast of project developments are encouraged to visit the dedicated pages on the WRF's website.

About Brown and Caldwell

Located in Walnut Creek, California, Brown and Caldwell has built a reputation over 75 years as a full-service environmental engineering and construction firm. With over 2,100 professionals across 50 offices, the company remains committed to surpassing client expectations while contributing to community and environmental sustainability. Their dedication emphasizes the imperative of addressing and overcoming challenging water-related obstacles.

For more information about their initiatives, visit Brown and Caldwell.