Three Drop - RFP & RFI for Water in the West
Plus some very cool news - Confluence West & Blue Bridge Strategies LLC!
July 31, 2026
Friends of Confluence West -
The National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) released its call for proposals and ideas this week. The first is an RFP for industrial water use, targeting three high-priority, non-traditional water sources at U.S. industrial sites: cooling water, process and rinse water, and wastewater treatment effluent.
We’ll let all of you industrial water-use folks out there tackle this one - this RFP has funding available to be awarded. FYI, NAWI is a partner of the USDOE, so unlike many other federal agencies, NAWI actually has grant money.
We’re looking at NAWI’s RFI for Regional Water Systems — how regions can responsibly integrate non-traditional water sources (recycled, brackish, etc.) into their normal water supply. Before funding new projects, they want to hear from people on the ground about what's actually needed. (The RFI has no funding attached, only glory, fame, etc.)
Here’s what NAWI is interested in for the RFI:
What water and energy challenges are regions facing, and where are the planning gaps?
Could new treatment technology help solve those challenges?
What are the biggest unknowns or unanswered questions in this space?
What planning tools do regions already use — and where do those tools fall short?
What new planning tools or capabilities are missing?
What policies, regulatory, financial, or organizational barriers make implementation difficult?
What information do decision makers wish they had when planning future water supplies?
What would it take for a project like this to succeed (technically, financially, organizationally and operationally)?
How should success be measured so that NAWI's work creates meaningful value for the region?
Don't overthink your response!
NAWI isn't looking only for polished proposals or technical research papers. They're looking for ideas, experiences, challenges, and opportunities from people working across the water sector. Whether you're with a large utility, a small community, a Tribe, a nonprofit, a consulting firm, academia, a grower, a technology company, or a government agency, your perspective can help shape future research and planning.
Lots more information on the NAWI links - pay attention to the webinar and submittal deadlines. First up: the NAWI webinar on the RFI - Aug 4, 2026 10:00 AM. Totally confused with the RFI? Get in touch!
Thank you for standing with us in the work. It's already a long, weird summer for western water — we're glad to be in it with you.
For the West,
Kimery
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In the terrific news department, Confluence West and Blue Bridge Strategies, LLC (Lisa Haney) are teaming up on a couple of projects. Many of you know Lisa from her work at the Orange County Water District and as the lead on the district’s pioneering groundwater recharge and other sustainability projects.
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Many excellent NGOs, water utilities, tribes, Nations, communities, and public agencies are working to protect rivers and forests in the American West from the (sometimes overwhelming) challenges posed by climate change. We are proud to partner with many of them.
Why support and work with Confluence West? Since 2007, we've learned that long-term, equitable solutions require dedicated and talented people from every sector, issue area, perspective, expertise, and culture to bring their part of the elephant, their truth, to the table.
We build and lead projects that connect diverse decision-makers who, in turn, create science- and evidence-based campaigns. Check out our work! Or, email Kimery.