[Pharmwaste] WERF RFP: Evaluating Trace Organics' Impact on Aquatic Populations and Communities

[PDeLeo at sdahq.org]

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For Immediate Release: September 30, 2008


For more information, contact:
Dawn Forsythe, Director of Communications
E-mail: dforsythe at werf.org
Phone: 703-684-2470 X7908


 RFP Issued: Evaluating Trace Organics' Impact on Aquatic Populations and
Communities
               WERF Seeks Research Proposals by November 25


(ALEXANDRIA, VA) The Water Environment Research Foundation announced a
request for proposals (RFP) for research that will develop technical tools
and approaches to evaluate the impacts of trace organic compounds on
aquatic populations in waters that receive discharges from wastewater
treatment facilities. Trace organic compounds (TOrC) generally encompass
endocrine disruptors and compounds found in pharmaceuticals and personal
care products.


This RFP is the first phase of a two-phase research effort. Researchers in
this phase will interpret existing data and develop diagnostic tools and
approaches to prioritize TOrC of concern. The integrative tools need to
address the overarching question: what is the relationship between exposure
to trace organic compounds and adverse impacts to aquatic populations and
communities?


In the second phase (which will be announced in a later RFP, independent of
this one), researchers will apply the tools in a field-based study. They
will examine the aquatic effects from TOrC, in the context of other real
life chemical and biological stressors.


This first phase of research has several deliverables that will help WERF
subscribers, government agencies, and the water quality community make
important management decisions. It will deliver a list of TOrC, prioritized
on potential to impact aquatic populations and communities; and it will
provide a screening tool to assess site-specific ecological impacts of
TOrC. The findings will help determine whether a particular observed effect
may be the result of exposure to TOrC.


WERF has engaged federal and state agencies, water associations, research
institutes, municipalities, utilities, industry and others in a dialogue to
define what research is needed to determine the ecological impacts of TOrC.
This research will take the collaboration to the next step, by developing
an effective partnership of stakeholders from the major organizations
involved in the measurement and/or assessment of TOrC.


Proposals in response to RFP CEC5R08C must be received by 5:00 p.m. (EDT),
November 25, 2008.


Go to www.werf.org to access the complete request for proposals for
Diagnostic Tools to Evaluate Impacts of Trace Organic Compounds on Aquatic
Populations and Communities: Phase I – Prioritization, Development and
Testing of Site-Specific Framework. Contact WERF program manager Lola
Olabode at lolabode at werf.org for more information on this research effort
or the proposal process. Please forward this announcement to potential
proposers.


This RFP is one component of WERF's TOrC research program. The Water
Environment Research Foundation, formed in 1989, is America's leading
independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and
stormwater issues. We have managed nearly 400 research projects, valued at
more than $85 million.


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The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), a nonprofit organization,
   manages independent scientific research that leads to cost-effective
  responses to water quality concerns affecting the environment and human
  health. Since 1989, WERF has addressed issues in wastewater treatment,
 water reclamation and reuse, biosolids and sludge, stormwater management,
             water quality and, more recently, climate change.