The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) announced a request for proposals (RFP) for research that provides wastewater treatment utility personnel and their consultants with field-tested design and operational procedures that improve solids management. The research will reduce costs, conserve energy, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve public understanding of solids management operations.

In this RFP, WERF asks researchers to find better ways to manage biosolids odors, "sudden increases" in indicator organisms in biosolids, and bacterial regrowth during storage of biosolids. In addition to finding solutions, the selected research team must develop products that WERF subscribers can use to apply the research results to their own processes.

Previous WERF research indicates that factors that affect biosolids odors are likely related to regrowth of indicator organisms measured in biosolids after digestion. Proposals should feature an appropriate mix of research that separately addresses each issue, in addition to identifying common solutions to these two concerns.

Sudden increase of indicator organisms and regrowth are important considerations for compliance with state and federal regulations. In addition, a number of utilities are making important design decisions that involve the types of processes being studied here. According to WERF, the wastewater community needs reliable information on the performance of various digester/dewatering combinations.

Proposals must be received by 5:00 p.m. (EST), Nov. 25, 2008. Go to www.werf.org to access the complete RFP.