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National Leadership in Water Quality and Safety

At Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), we don’t just deliver clean water—we’re at the forefront of water science and policy.

Through partnerships and leadership in water-focused organizations, GCWW shares knowledge, drives research, and helps shape policies that keep our water safe, clean, and sustainable for generations to come.

Research is conducted with two primary organizations: American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water Research Foundation (WRF). Learn more below!

 

American Water Works Association (AWWA)

Founded in 1881, AWWA is the world’s largest association for water supply professionals. GCWW is proud to have had three former presidents for AWWA. GCWW employees frequently participate in research that is published in AWWA’s peer-reviewed Journal, as well as present at AWWA’s regular water industry conferences, working to advance water safety on a national scale.

Highlighted and Recent AWWA Research Projects:

  1. Lead Line Replacement Safety Program: Focused on protecting workers from lead exposure during lead service line replacements.
  2. Using Dye Studies and Numerical Models to Improve Source Water Protection Strategies: Aims to improve source water protection strategies using dye studies and numerical models.
  3. Planning and Implementing CIS and AMR/AMI Projects: Identified best practices related to selecting, implementing, and upgrading key customer service technologies, such as Customer Information Systems (CIS) and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) or Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
  4. ATP & Coliform Analysis for Infrastructure Release for Service: Investigated the efficacy of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis as a suitable risk assessment indicator to either replace or supplement the current coliform monitoring for returning water infrastructure back to service and as a rapid indicator to determine the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection after new construction and maintenance.

 

Water Research Foundation (WRF)

As the leading water research organization, WRF advances the science that helps us protect water at every step. GCWW is a key partner in WRF research projects and received the Outstanding Subscriber Award for Applied Research in 2015 for its commitment to water quality research and application of findings to enhance water treatment systems.

Highlighted and Recent WRF Research Projects:

  1. WRF 5185: Fate of Microplastics in Drinking Water Treatment Plants: This project is the largest effort to date evaluating individual treatment processes and their effects on microplastics. GCWW sampled throughout the Miller plant to contribute to this groundbreaking work.  Project completion is expected in FY2026, with potential for participation in future follow-up sampling events.
  2. WRF 5081: Guidance for Using Pipe Rigs to Inform Lead and Copper Corrosion Control Treatment (CCT) Decisions: Developing guidelines for using pipe loops to inform lead and copper CCT decisions. GCWW worked with several other utility participants and water industry partners.
  3. WRF 4914: Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events: Case Studies and Lessons Learned: Incorporates actual utility responses and outcomes into a user-friendly web-based tool. GCWW's participation included providing information about past monitoring, treatment applications, and large algae events in 2015 and 2019.
  4. WRF 4748: Evaluation of Risk Management Frameworks and Tools and their Application for Managing Source Water Risks in the United States: Assessed risk management frameworks and tools for managing source water risks.
  5. WRF 4719: Biofiltration Guidance Manual for Drinking Water Facilities: Provided guidance for biofiltration processes in drinking water facilities.
  6. WRF 4716: Refinement and Standardization of Cyanotoxin Analytical Techniques for Drinking Water: Evaluated existing chemical and biological methods for analyzing cyanotoxins and provided utilities with unified methods and practical guidance for improved monitoring efforts.
  7. WRF 4713: Full Lead Service Line Replacement Guidance: Evaluated two different types of high-velocity multi-tap flushing methods after a service line replacement. Data collected included flushing times, lead exposure, and lead reduction.
  8. WRF 4620: Practical Monitoring Tools for Biological Processes in Biofiltration: Developed practical monitoring tools for biological processes in biofiltration.
  9. WRF 4390: Epidemiologic Study of Health Effects Associated with Low-Pressure Events in Drinking Water Distribution Systems: Investigated health effects associated with low-pressure events in drinking water distribution systems.
  10. WRF 2619: Reactivating Activated Carbon at Cincinnati: Enhancing Performance: Focused on enhancing the performance of activated carbon used in water treatment processes

In addition, GCWW used WRF research to design, build, and operate its Ultraviolet (UV) treatment system at Richard Miller Treatment Plant.

 

Other Research

Higher Education

GCWW occasionally participates in academic studies with colleges and universities.

  1. Exploring the Potential of Phycocyanin Fluorescence Probes in Predicting Cyanobacteria Bloom; A Machine Learning Approach. A one-year project with University of Toronto Civil and Mineral Engineering College focusing on the ability to predict Harmful Algal Blooms for improved treatment plant performance.

Federal Government (United States Environmental Protection Agency)

Cincinnati, OH is home to the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center, United States EPA’s “second largest research and development facility.” This center is focused on water research for the entire country.

  1. Mitigation/Removal/Destruction of PFAS compounds using reactivation and new alternative methods Working with USEPA Water Infrastructure Division investigating PFAS water treatment, removal, and destruction once removed
  2. Water On Wheels (WOW) Cart Development (USEPA/Office of Research & Development, USEPA/Center for Environmental Solutions & Emergency Response) Multi-year project to assist in developing a mobile water treatment system for the purpose of helping communities following a natural disaster or contamination 

 

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