EPA, US Bureau of Reclamation and Western water districts collaborate on ICP

Three of the West’s largest municipal water agencies have partnered with federal agencies to kick off the latest round of an expanded competitive grant programme aimed at discovering the next generation of water saving devices and technologies.

For the first time, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is participating with the US Bureau of Reclamation, as well as the Central Arizona Project, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and Southern Nevada Water Authority in the Innovative Conservation Programme (ICP). The programme, which includes Southern California Gas Co., seeks to advance water saving efforts by finding new and innovative methods for using supplies more efficiently.

“As Western states brace for another year of drought, many are regarding dry conditions as the new normal,” said Tomás Torres, EPA’s water division Director for the Pacific Southwest. “By supporting the ICP, we’re investing in innovative solutions to help communities meet the challenges of tomorrow, today.”

This year’s US$500 000 ICP cycle focuses on water saving devices, technologies and strategy proposals that address the water/energy nexus. Awards will be made in two funding categories: up to US$30 000 and between US$30 000 and US$100 000. Proposals that address other aspects of water use efficiency also will be considered. All proposals are due 23 May.

Since Metropolitan and Reclamation began the ICP in 2001, the programme has awarded 57 grants totalling US$1.85 million during the first five two-year funding cycles. Overall, the ICP has yielded 262 proposals totalling US$27 million in funding requests from public agencies, community-based organisations, private companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes and equipment manufacturers.

“These kinds of successful programmes with our partners are an important tool in Reclamation’s Colorado River water management responsibilities as we face the effects of years of drought and the influences of climate variability,” said Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Regional Director, Terry Fulp.

Inventive approaches funded in previous cycles include the development of a pressurised water broom that replaces the need to use a hose to clean patios, driveways and other large surface areas, saving up to 250 000 gal. of water over its lifetime, and an X-ray film-processing unit that recycles more than 90% of the 1 million gal. a typical machine uses in a year in a hospital or medical centre. The last ICP round supported the investigation of plant sensor based irrigation in vineyards for both wine quality and yield, and several projects on soil amendments that maintain the health of the grass while significantly minimising the amount of water applied.

“Ongoing efforts to reduce Colorado River water demands have yielded water savings throughout the Colorado River Basin, and this programme provides another tool to further those efforts through water related innovations and public private partnerships,” said John Entsminger, Southern Nevada’s General Manager.

Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive review process based on project innovations; a water/energy saving and research plan; market impact potential; cost effectiveness; ICP focus and project preparedness.

Metropolitan General Manager, Jeffrey Kightlinger said the ICP fosters fresh and innovative approaches and inspires creative ideas and strategies to reduce water use. “As the Southland adapts in response to California’s record drought, it is essential that we continue to seek out new projects and methods that help make water conservation sustainable.”

Central Arizona Project’s General Manager, Ted Cooke, called the Innovative Conservation Programme “another example of collaborative, proactive measures taken by municipal Colorado River water agencies to address the impacts of the persistent drought throughout the Colorado River Basin. “It’s an important tool to address long term imbalances in the system as well as near term risks of shortage,” Cooke said. “CAP strongly supports this conservation programme, which ultimately benefits the health of the river system.”

Adapted from press release by Francesca Brindle

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/the-environment/17032016/epa-bureau-of-reclamation-western-water-district-collaborate-on-grant-programme-for-water-saving-devices-2786/