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Archives | 2014 Grant Archives | Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices | Funding Opportunities | Extramural Research | Research | US EPA
2014 Grant Archives
Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices
Research Grant Announcements RFA e-mail list
Extramural Research Search
Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Program
EPA cannot issue any weather related extensions to the closing date for application submittal for this RFA. The closing date for the Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices RFA remains February 18, 2014.
CLOSED - FOR REFERENCES PURPOSES ONLY
This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.
Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices - EPA-G2014-STAR-F1
Early Career Awards: Human and Ecological Health Impacts Associated with Water Reuse and Conservation Practices - EPA-G2014-STAR-F2
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 66.509
Solicitation Opening Date: December 17, 2013
Solicitation Closing Date: February 18, 2014, 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time Technical Contact: Cynthia McOliver (mcoliver.cynthia@epa.gov); phone: 703-347-0311
Eligibility Contact: Ron Josephson (josephson.ron@epa.gov); phone: 703-308-0442
Electronic Submissions: Todd Peterson (peterson.todd@epa.gov); phone: 703-308-7224
B. Background C. Authority and Regulations
D. Specific Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes
F. Special Requirements
II. AWARD INFORMATION III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
A. Internet Address to Request Application Package
D. Funding Restrictions
E. Submission Instructions and Other Submission Requirements V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION
B. Programmatic Review
C. Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS) Review
D. Funding Decisions
C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
VII. AGENCY CONTACTS Access Standard STAR Forms (Forms and Standard Instructions Download Page)
View research awarded under previous solicitations (Funding Opportunities: Archive Page)
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Synopsis of Program: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications to conduct research on and demonstration of human and ecological impacts of treated wastewater applications (reclaimed water and wastewater reuse), and water conservation practices including the use of non-traditional water sources as well as more comprehensive long-term management and availability of water resources. In the U.S., nearly 32.4 billion gallons of municipal wastewater are treated by publically owned treatment works (POTWs). According to the 2012 National Research Council (NRC) Report Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater (1), approximately 12 billion gallons of municipal wastewater effluent is discharged to an ocean or estuary per day. The remainder is presumed discharged to freshwater, helping maintain flow for downstream ecology and human uses, and could be considered a form of “reuse”. The Report also identified reuse of wastewater as a potential reliable source for both potable and non-potable uses for communities facing water challenges. However, unknowns about the exact quality of this water source remain a challenge. A variety of contaminants may be present in wastewater and stormwater such as metals, salts, organic chemicals, nutrients, pathogens and emerging contaminants such as nanoparticles, pharmaceuticals and other personal care products (PPCPs). For purposes of this RFA, treated wastewater or reclaimed water refers to reuse of municipal wastewater and stormwater; grey water1 and yellow water2 applications with considerations for planned and unplanned reuse, including direct and indirect potable and nonpotable applications. This RFA is especially interested in research that measures and quantifies health and ecological impacts from unplanned potable reuse, also termed de facto water reuse and planned reuse in comparison to conventional systems. Eligible applicants, including Minority Academic Institutions (MAIs) as defined in Section I.A of this solicitation, are strongly encouraged to apply for funding under this competition.
This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. Human subjects research supported by the EPA is governed by EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 26 (Protection of Human Subjects). This includes the Common Rule at subpart A and prohibitions and additional protections for pregnant women and fetuses, nursing women, and children at subparts B, C, and D. Research meeting the regulatory definition of intentional exposure research found in subpart B is prohibited by that subpart in pregnant women, nursing women, and children. Research meeting the regulatory definition of observational research found in subparts C and D is subject to the additional protections found in those subparts for pregnant women and fetuses (subpart C) and children (subpart D). All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS, as described in Section IV.B.5.c), and if the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.C and V.D of this solicitation.
Guidance and training for investigators conducting EPA-funded research involving human subjects may be obtained here:
Ethics, Regulations, and Policies
Human Subjects Research at the Environmental Protection Agency: Ethical Standards and Regulatory Requirements
In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards. The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career investigators. Please see Section III of this Request for Applications (RFA) for details on the early career eligibility criteria.
1 Greywater - Household wastewater from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and clothes washers. See Rainwater & Reuse 2 Yellow water - urine
Anticipated Type of Award: Grant or cooperative agreement
Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 4 regular awards and 3 early career awards
Anticipated Funding Amount: Approximately $4 million total for all awards
Potential Funding per Award: Up to a total of $750,000 for regular awards, and up to a total of $330,000 for early career awards, including direct and indirect costs, with a maximum duration of 3 years. Cost-sharing is not required. Proposals with budgets exceeding the total award limits will not be considered. Eligibility Information:
Public nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes public institutions of higher education and hospitals) and private nonprofit institutions/organizations (includes private institutions of higher education and hospitals) located in the U.S., state and local governments, Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments, and U.S. territories or possessions are eligible to apply. Special eligibility criteria apply to the early career award portion of this RFA. See full announcement for more details.
To apply under this solicitation, use the application package available at Grants.gov (for further submission information see Section IV.E. “Submission Instructions and other Submission Requirements”). The necessary forms for submitting a STAR application will be found on the National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) web site, Forms and Standard Instructions Download Page.
If your organization is not currently registered with Grants.gov, you need to allow approximately one month to complete the registration process. Please note that the registration process also requires that your organization have a DUNS number and a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) and the process of obtaining both could take a month or more. Applicants must ensure that all registration requirements are met in order to apply for this opportunity through grants.gov and should ensure that all such requirements have been met well in advance of the submission deadline. This registration, and electronic submission of your application, must be performed by an authorized representative of your organization.
If you do not have the technical capability to utilize the Grants.gov application submission process for this solicitation, send a webmail message at least 15 calendar days before the submission deadline to assure timely receipt of alternate submission instructions. In your message provide the funding opportunity number and title of the program, specify that you are requesting alternate submission instructions, and provide a telephone number, fax number, and an email address, if available. Alternate instructions will be emailed whenever possible. Any applications submitted through alternate submission methods must comply with all the provisions of this Request for Applications (RFA), including Section IV, and be received by the solicitation closing date identified above.
Agency Contacts:
Technical Contact: Cynthia McOliver (mcoliver.cynthia@epa.gov); phone: 703-347-0311
I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION A. Introduction The Nation’s finite water resources are under increasing pressure to supply drinking water; to treat, transport and manage wastewater; to provide water for other societal needs (including energy, agriculture, manufacturing and industry); and to restore and sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems (2). In the face of these competing pressures, a continuous supply of water, of sufficient fit-for-purpose quality, is critical to ensure the Nation’s health and security, ecosystem services, and economy. One of the high-priority research areas identified by the EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the assessment of potential human and ecological impacts from water reuse and conservation. In support of this, ORD’s STAR Program and the Safe and Sustainable Water Research (SSWR) Program announces an extramural funding competition for projects that focus on understanding the life cycle aspects of water reuse or water conservation practices on human and ecological health, and how they relate to broader issues of energy-efficient processes for water conservation and nutrient management/recovery. Reuse of reclaimed water is becoming a more common practice for augmenting existing surface and groundwater systems and maintaining healthy river and wetland habitats. The potential ecological risks from these applications need to be more holistically assessed, with considerations for the effects of chemical, biological and physical stressors on ecological communities. Human exposure may occur when reclaimed water is used for purposes such as groundwater recharge, pipe flushing, irrigation, aquaculture, toilet flushing, clothes washing, fire extinguishing, live stock watering, and facility washing. Further research is needed to elucidate potential human and ecological health impacts from these exposure scenarios.
Water conservation practices that use non-traditional water sources are becoming increasingly important to water management, especially in the western United States, where factors such as climate change, extreme drought and storm events, and increased population and (sub)urban growth are decreasing water availability while increasing demand. For example, rainwater harvesting via catchment systems has the potential to supplement water resources and manage stormwater/combined sewer overflows (CSOs), and promotes water conservation. As with reclaimed water, the water quality and permitting requirements are influenced by the specific locale. Further research is needed to elucidate potential human health impacts from the use and storage of these water sources and to assess the role of site-specific parameters.
This RFA is especially interested in research that measures and quantifies health and ecological impacts from unplanned potable reuse, also termed de facto water reuse (3) and planned reuse in comparison to conventional systems. Communities, through de facto reuse, may be unknowingly exposed to potentially harmful contaminants, even with conventional water treatment systems. Given the increase in de facto reuse of wastewater, the Agency is interested in supporting research relevant to any associated impacts to drinking water sources that have been augmented with untreated or treated wastewater effluents, how that may impact treatment, and how human and ecological health impacts from these de facto water reuse practices compare with those derived from planned water reuse projects. An assessment of the extent and impacts of wastewater discharges on potable water supplies has not been conducted in over 30 years (4, 5). The Agency is interested in supporting research on water reuse and water conservation practices that promotes public and aquatic ecosystem health protection and how that may be assessed over the long-term, so as to manage the availability of water resources more holistically. Research needs include:
how de facto reuse, reclaimed water applications, broadly applied harvesting of non-traditional sources, and stormwater reuse systems could affect public health and the health of ecological communities, best practices and sustainable water management that incorporate water reuse, broadly applied harvesting of non-traditional sources and stormwater reuse systems, life cycle costs of water harvest and reuse systems, and uses and treatment trains for reuse applications and broad-scale harvest. Options to achieve these endpoints include developing models, tools and methods, developing surveys, field studies, or a combination of these approaches. EPA recognizes that scientific, technical, engineering and mathematical (STEM) competence is essential to the Nation’s future well being in terms of national security and competitive economic advantage. For instance, the health and vitality of the economy is predicated, in part, on the availability of an adequate supply of scientists, technicians, engineers and mathematicians, to develop innovative technologies and solutions. In other words, this country must engage all available minds to address the challenges it faces. Minorities, persons with disabilities, and women historically have been under-represented in the STEM fields. For this reason, EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. At the same time, the EPA seeks to expand environmental conversations by including members of communities which have not previously participated in such dialogues; therefore EPA strongly encourages such eligible applicants, including applicants from Minority Academic Institutions, to apply. For purposes of this solicitation, the following are considered MAIs: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1061). A list of these schools can be found at White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities;
Tribal Colleges and Universities, as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1059(c)). A list of these schools can be found at American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities ; Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1101a(a)(5). There is no list of HSIs. HSIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25% Hispanic students at the end of the award year immediately preceding the date of application for this grant; and
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as defined by the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1059g(a)(2)). There is no list of AANAPISIs. AANAPISIs are institutions of higher education that, at the time of application submittal, have an enrollment of undergraduate students that is not less than 10 % students who are Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander.
This solicitation provides the opportunity for the submission of applications for projects that may involve human subjects research. Human subjects research supported by the EPA is governed by EPA Regulation 40 CFR Part 26 (Protection of Human Subjects). This includes the Common Rule at subpart A and prohibitions and additional protections for pregnant women and fetuses, nursing women, and children at subparts B, C, and D. Research meeting the regulatory definition of intentional exposure research found in subpart B is prohibited by that subpart in pregnant women, nursing women, and children. Research meeting the regulatory definition of observational research found in subparts C and D is subject to the additional protections found in those subparts for pregnant women and fetuses (subpart C) and children (subpart D). All applications must include a Human Subjects Research Statement (HSRS, as described in Section IV.B.5.c), and if the project involves human subjects research, it will be subject to an additional level of review prior to funding decisions being made as described in Sections V.C and V.D of this solicitation. Guidance and training for investigators conducting EPA-funded research involving human subjects may be obtained here:
In addition to regular awards, this solicitation includes the opportunity for early career awards. The purpose of the early career award is to fund research projects smaller in scope and budget by early career investigators. Please see Section III of this RFA for details on the early career eligibility criteria. B. Background
In 2012, EPA updated their Guidelines for Water Reuse (6), on the range of water reuse applications being implemented globally. A new emphasis on potable reuse as well as agricultural water reuse was noted. Despite the absence of federal regulations that govern water reuse in the United States, 30 states and one U.S. territory have adopted water reuse regulations (1). Based on the research gaps identified in the Guidelines and the recent NRC water reuse report (1), this solicitation is intended to support science at the national scale to assist communities considering water reuse and conservation options and applications. For example, funded research might address the need for on-line operational management tools to guarantee water quality, given the short times between treatment and reuse. This RFA is especially interested in research that measures and quantifies health and ecological impacts from unplanned potable reuse, also termed de facto water reuse and planned reuse in comparison to conventional systems. The treatment and use of reclaimed water is one alternative to augment water supplies and reduce demand on conventional water sources. Traditionally, there has been a negative perception of wastewater reuse; however, with adequate treatment, wastewater and associated residuals are a valuable source of water energy and nutrients. The recovery of energy from traditional residuals, such as biosolids is feasible, however; when considering the life-cycle implications of the system to produce them, it is far from what could be achieved from different sanitation system configurations. This is even more evident for nutrients, most of which occur within the urine stream that constitutes less than one percent of the wastewater flow in a sewer, but for example, some 80 percent of the nitrogen. Keeping the yellow water stream separate for a source of plant nutrients, however; comes with some poorly characterized impacts such as those associated with residual personnel care products and environmental pathogens when used to fertilize food crops. In addition to municipal wastewater, stormwater and surface runoff should be considered as potential sources for augmenting water supplies and has the co-benefits of reducing runoff pollution and recharging groundwater and natural hydrology.
As with conventionally treated drinking water systems, there may be harmful chemicals (7), chlorine-resistant infectious microorganisms such as Cryptosporidium, and as in untreated groundwater systems, other pathogens (8, 9) and antibiotic -resistant gene-containing bacteria (resistomes) (10) . For example, communities drinking untreated groundwater impacted by leaking sewer lines may have increased human virus counts and associated acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) (11), even in the absence of Total Coliform Rule violations. Inadequately treated drinking water, such as bank filtered surface water (treated only with chlorine), perhaps affected by de facto reuse, could be the cause of the measured excess drinking water AGI (12).
In addition to AGI, there is an increased potential for chronic disease subsequent to AGI episodes (13-18). Microbial drinking water regulations and treatment practices attempt to be protective of the population and are continually updated, but risks to general (or sensitive) life-stages associated with reuse or conservation storage and use have not been systematically assessed. As communities incorporate reclaimed water and non-traditional water sources into their water management plans, there are also concerns beyond those directly impacting human health. The economic and non-economic impacts to the ecosystem must also be considered holistically. For example, there are distinct considerations related to stream flow, recreational uses, wetland health, endangered and sensitive species, fisheries and wildlife habitats, and hydrologic changes when reuse activities are put in place. The specific Strategic Goal and Objective from the EPA’s Strategic Plan that relate to this solicitation are:
Goal 2: Protecting America's Waters, Objective 2.2: Protect and Restore Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems
More information can be found in EPA’s FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan
C. Authority and Regulations
The authority for this RFA and resulting awards is contained in the Safe Drinking Water Act, Section 1442, 42 U.S.C. 300j-1, and the Clean Water Act, Section 104, 33 U.S.C. 1254.
For research with an international aspect, the above statutes are supplemented, as appropriate, by the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 102(2)(F).
Note that a project’s focus is to consist of activities within the statutory terms of EPA’s financial assistance authorities; specifically, the statute(s) listed above. Generally, a project must address the causes, effects, extent, prevention, reduction, and elimination of air pollution, water pollution, solid/hazardous waste pollution, toxic substances control, or pesticide control depending on which statute(s) is listed above. These activities should relate to the gathering or transferring of information or advancing the state of knowledge. Proposals should emphasize this “learning” concept, as opposed to “fixing” an environmental problem via a well-established method. Proposals relating to other topics which are sometimes included within the term “environment” such as recreation, conservation, restoration, protection of wildlife habitats, etc., must describe the relationship of these topics to the statutorily required purpose of pollution prevention and/or control.
Applicable regulations include: 40 CFR Part 30 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations), 40 CFR Part 31 (Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments) and 40 CFR Part 40 (Research and Demonstration Grants). Applicable OMB Circulars include: OMB Circular A-21 (Cost Principles for Educational Institutions) relocated to 2 CFR Part 220, OMB Circular A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments) relocated to 2 CFR Part 225, and OMB Circular A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations) relocated to 2 CFR Part 230. D. Specific Research Areas of Interest/Expected Outputs and Outcomes
Note to applicant: The term “output” means an environmental activity or effort, and associated work products, related to a specific environmental goal(s), (e.g., testing a new methodology), that will be produced or developed over a period of time under the agreement. The term “outcome” means the result, effect, or consequence that will occur from the above activit(ies) that is related to an environmental or health-related objective.
The Agency is interested in supporting research that takes a systems view of water reuse and water conservation that promotes public and ecosystem health protection and considers the long-term management and availability of water resources more holistically. The research needs include data and information that would be most valuable in helping municipalities and their stakeholders to assess their options for selecting and implementing water reclamation, reuse or harvesting projects in their water management districts. Research needs include assessments and measurements of economic and non-economic impacts (e.g., health, economic, societal, and ecological), and identification and evaluation of impacts of implementing these projects. Options to achieve these endpoints include developing novel tools, models and methods, developing surveys, conducting field studies, or a combination of these approaches. Please recognize that proposals are not expected to address all priority areas listed below. Successful proposals will specifically identify what aspects of wastewater reclamation or stormwater use will be addressed, and at what scale the research will be performed.
Additionally, proposals are expected to be specific regarding measures and quantification of health impacts that will be addressed, and how the data will support the understanding of the sustainable management of water resources. All applications should clearly address relevant underlying factors and stressors that may impact long-term planning and implementation. Please note: Applicants should address at least one of the priority areas below to be considered for funding:
how reclaimed water applications and large scale harvest will affect public and ecological health, including indirectly, e.g. via energy needs; best practices and sustainable water management incorporating water reuse and larger-scale rainwater harvesting/stormwater reuse systems; life cycle costs of large scale harvest and reuse systems; uses and treatment trains for reuse applications and large scale harvest, and assessments and measurements of economic and non economic impacts (e.g., human health, economic, societal, and/or ecological health). Projects should also address 2 or more of the following questions:
What are the existing and emerging microbiological and chemical human and ecological health exposure scenarios and pathways? How can levels of impact be quantified and compared across these scenarios so as to better inform system management? What specific benefits are achievable (economic, societal, and ecologic) from the de facto reuse; planned reuse, stormwater reuse or large scale harvest of non-traditional sources projects? What approaches or metrics can be developed to help stakeholders assess the economic and non-economic impacts of integrating reclaimed water or stormwater, or large scale harvest of non-traditional sources into water planning, development and day-to-day operations to meet water quality objectives? What strategies and approaches can be used to promote adaptive management strategies that ensure communities and multiple stakeholders share in the development and planning of water reuse and conservation projects, and what steps can be taken to ensure meaningful involvement?
The outputs of the proposed projects may include reports, presentations, peer-reviewed journal publications, tools, models and methods. The expected outcome of this research is a quantitative understanding of the impacts of implementing the use of reclaimed water and harvest applications. Specific outcomes could include:
Increased ability to more cost-effectively and sustainably assess and measure impacts of implementing water reuse and associated resource recovery processes including programs using non-traditional water sources.
Increased systemic capacity for adoption and implementation of reclaimed water, energy, nutrients and non-traditional water sources.
More systematic approaches for evaluating ecosystem health as it relates to the above water reuse-related activities.
Increased community and stakeholder engagement and involvement in the planning, design, and implementation of water/resource reuse and non-traditional water programs.
To the extent practicable, research proposals must embody innovation and concepts promoting sustainability (19). Innovation for the purposes of this RFA is defined as the process of making changes; a new method, custom or device. Innovative research can take the form of wholly new applications or applications that build on existing knowledge and approaches for new uses. Research proposals must include a discussion on how the proposed research is innovative (see Section IV.B.5.a). The concept of sustainability is based on language in the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This definition is reiterated in Executive Order 13514, Federal Leadership in Environment, Energy, and Economic Performance, stating that the goal of sustainability is to, “create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.” Research proposals must include a discussion on how the proposed research will seek sustainable solutions that protect the environment and strengthen our communities (see Section IV.B.5.a). ORD will draw from all of the above-mentioned innovation and sustainability definitions in the review/evaluation process of recommending research proposals (see Section V.A).
Journals /Books/Reports
Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater, National Academies’ Press.
Testimony of Nancy K. Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Water before the Sub Committee on Water and Wildlife, Committee on Environment and Public Works, US Senate, Oct. 4, 2011
The term “de facto reuse” is “a situation where reuse of treated wastewater is in fact practiced, but is not officially recognized (e.g., a drinking water supply intake located downstream from a wastewater treatment plant discharge point)” Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater , National Academies’ Press. Guidance for Planning the Location of Water Supply Intakes Downstream from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facilities. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1978.
Wastewater in Receiving Waters at Water Supply Abstraction Points, EPA-600/2-80-044. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980. 2012 Guidelines for Water Reuse (PDF). EPA/600/R-12/618. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002.
Drewes, J.E., P. Anderson, N. Denslow, A. Olivieri, D. Schlenk, S.A. Snyder, and K.A. Maruya. Designing monitoring programs for chemicals of emerging concern in pot