20b

• Board Meeting Date: 9/18/2007
• Description: CWCB Director's Report
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

- 5 -

located in the seventeen western states; provide a 50/50 cost-share; request no more than
$300,000 federal cost-share; and be scheduled for completion in 24 months.

Since 2004, Interior has awarded more than $25 million in Challenge grants that resulted in more
than 120 projects receiving funding. Including matching contributions of non-federal partners,
the proj ects represent a combined investment of more than $105 million in water management
improvements.

To learn more about the System Optimization Review Grants, the Challenge Grant Program, or
Water 2025, please visit www.doi.gov/water2025.

W A TEREUSE FOUNDATION RELEASES TWO NEW REPORTS: The WateReuse
Foundation announced the release of two new research reports: Reclaimed Water Aquifer
Storage and Recovery: Potential Changes in Water Quality and Reverse Osmosis Concentrate
from Water Reuse Applications Using Forward Osmosis. The WateReuse Foundation's research
seeks to provide water professionals with tools and knowledge to meet their commitment to
increasing the reliability and quality of the nation's water supplies.

Reclaimed Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Potential Changes in Water Quality (#03-009-
01)

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is defined as the storage of water in a suitable aquifer
through a well during times when water is available and recoveIY of the water from the same
well during times when it is needed. This study investigated the variables of aquifer
characteristics, storage time, travel distance, recharge water quality, and operational history. The
data support many aquifer process assumptions, such as enhanced activity near the well.

Dewatering Reverse Osmosis Concentrate from Water Reuse Applications Using Forward
Osmosis (#05-009-01)

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is an effective barrier in water production systems when removal of
dissolved contaminants or salts is needed to achieve high finished water quality. A novel process
of dewatering RO concentrate is forward osmosis (FO). FO is defined as the net movement of
water across a selectively permeable membrane driven by a difference in osmotic pressure across
the membrane.

The main advantage of using FO in water and wastewater treatment is the very low energy
consumption rate since no external pressure is required while rejecting a wide range of
contaminants with possibly a lower membrane-fouling propensity than pressure-driven
membrane processes. This report summarizes initial feasibility data on the application ofFO to
minimize the concentrate from RO process. It also contributes to the knowledge base of novel
draw solutions and high-perfonnance FO membranes.

The WateReuse Foundation conducts applied research in all aspects of water reclamation, reuse,
recycling, and desalination. The research addresses the full range of scientific, technical, policy,
and social science issues related to these areas. The Foundation's primary sources of funding are
Subscribers and other funding partners, which include the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the

Flood Protection. Water Project Planning and Finance. Sn-eam and Lake Protection
Water Supply Protection. Conservation Planning