Research and Innovation Community

The WEF Research and Innovation/Research and Innovation for Strengthening Engagement (RISE) Community will continue to support the core value of accelerating the adoption of innovative technology within the water industry, integrating utilities, academics, and consultants in the discussion.

The community will:

  • Ensure communication between researchers working in academic and other research settings and coordinate input to WEF's efforts to understand and address priorities such as knowledge development and transfer, research funding, and so forth.
  • Support and foster the participation of members from the academic and research communities in WEF's critical objective of driving innovation.
  • Lead and support efforts to increase the participation of academics and other researchers in WEF programs.
  • Provide leadership for and coordination of WEF's research-related conferences, including proposing events and meetings.

Chair
Pusker Regmi, 2024-2025
Email:  pregmi@brwncald.com

Xavier Fonoll-Almansa, 2024-2025
Email:  xavier.fonoll@utexas.edu 

Past Chair
Erika Bailey, 2024-2025
Email:  erika.bailey@raleighnc.gov

Staff Manager
Bianca Pinto
Email: Bianca Pinto


View archived RIC Forum Webcasts and Research and Innovation Community Technical Resources.

Below are the latest RISE focus groups. The focus group topics were selected by the RISE community. Each focus group has a timeframe of about one year, after which the focus group members vote to continue the work for another year, or to sunset the group. If you would like to join any of the focus groups, or to join the RISE community, please email Bianca Pinto (bpinto@wef.org). 

Bioforms and Intensification

Digestion Intensification 

Hydrothermal Liquefaction

Improvements in Pre-digestion Hydrolysis Processes

Mainstream Carbon Efficient Nitrogen Removal through PdNA

  • Chair: Stephanie Klaus, Hampton Roads Sanitation District - sklaus@hrsd.com 

Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR)

Resource Recovery Through FOG 

Soft Sensors and Machine Learning Possibilities and Applications

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WEF Webcasts
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EXPLORE ALL PRACTICE AREAS

WEF is a source of high-quality technical resources featuring the latest research, news, and education. WEF's members and other credible resources have created and compiled this information into the Practice Area groupings listed in the dropdown menu.

Water & Wastewater Treatment

More than 16,000 publicly owned water resource recovery facilities operate in the United States. Skilled engineers and operators work together to ensure new and updated facilities continue to protect public health and the environment.

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Collection Systems and Conveyance

The system of underground pipes and maintenance structures that convey wastewater has brought dramatic improvements to public health. Most sewers carry wastes from households and commercial establishments and are referred to as sanitary sewers.

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Public Health

The water sector and its systems protect public and ecological health. Using the data that can be collected through smart water technologies provides additional insights to address complex public health issues.

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Industrial Water Resources

Industries treat and reuse wastewater and process water as well as provide environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment while reducing costs and maintaining value for their businesses.

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Operations

From hands-on-training and leadership opportunities, such as Operations Challenge, to online training, such as the Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals series, WEF provides operators with many opportunities to advance on-the-job knowledge and develop their careers.

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Utility Management

To respond to myriad daily challenges faced by water and wastewater utility leaders, WEF continuously works with its members and partners to develop a variety of management initiatives; resources; and educational, training, and networking opportunities.

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Stormwater & Watershed Management

Take a comprehensive look at how all water resources, including uplands, drainage basins, wetlands, stormwater, surface water, and groundwater interact.

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Biosolids Resource Recovery

Through biosolids management, solid residue from wastewater treatment is processed to reduce or eliminate pathogens and minimize odors, forming a safe, beneficial agricultural product. Biosolids are carefully monitored and must be used in accordance with regulatory requirements.

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Government & Regulatory Affairs

WEF advocacy activities aim to educate WEF members and the water sector on public policy issues related to water quality and resources and equip them to play a greater role in water policy discussions.

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