The National Water Research Institute (NWRI) was created in 1991 to address the challenges of meeting growing water demands, replenishing depleted water supplies and protecting water quality.

With the encouragement and financial support of the Joan Irvine Smith & Athalie R. Clarke Foundation, five southern California water and sanitation agencies through a joint powers agreement formed the NWRI. They are the Orange County Water District, County Sanitation Districts of Orange County, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Irvine Ranch Water District, and the San Juan Basin Authority. The NWRI is independently governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a member from each of the member agencies.

NWRI is unique. First and foremost, its core funding comes from private philanthropy, the Joan Irvine Smith & Athalie R. Clarke Foundation. Second, the Foundation's funds are matched at more than a one-to-one ratio by funds from its federal, state and local government, private industry, public utilities, and university partners.

Since its founding, NWRI has supported 91 projects in 11 states, on 16 university campuses, and in 12 utility and/or industrial laboratories. The research projects focus on water research technology, water reuse and recycling, health effects, water resources management and policy and institutional development. Today, in terms of dollars devoted to water research, NWRI is the third largest research organization in the United States.

For more information about the National Water Research Institute, visit their web site at National Water Research Institute.