Water-saving technology for energy industry proposals sought by Washington

Grants available up to $100,000, due May 23

Irrigation water runs along the dried-up ditch from droughts between the rice farms to provide water for the rice fields in Richvale, Calif. California’s (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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 program aimed at discovering the next generation of water-saving devices and technologies.

“As Western states brace for another year of droughts, 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 $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 $30,000 and between $30,000 and $100,000. Proposals that address other aspects of water-use efficiency also will be considered. All proposals are due May 23.

The program, which includes Southern California Gas Co., seeks to advance water-saving efforts by finding new and innovative methods for using supplies more efficiently due to droughts.

For the first time, the U.S. EPA is participating with the U.S. 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 Program.

Water usage for average household in U.S.

Inventive approaches funded in previous cycles include the development of a pressurized water broom that replaces the need to use a hose to clean patios, driveways and other large surface areas, saving up to 250,000 gallons of water over its lifetime for droughts, and an X-ray film-processing unit that recycles more than 90 per cent of the 1 million gallons a typical machine uses in a year in a hospital or medical center.

Overall, the ICP has yielded 262 proposals totaling $27 million in funding requests from public agencies, community-based organizations, private companies, entrepreneurs, research institutes and equipment manufacturers.

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.