The Alexandria, Va.-based Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) has issued a request for proposals from parties interested in researching decentralized stormwater management techniques. WERF will pay $112,000 for the development of educational tools and training that will supplement existing stormwater management approaches, create more hydrologically functional site designs, facilitate urban retrofits, reduce costs associated with stormwater management infrastructure and address larger watershed-scale goals.

Decentralized approaches manage stormwater at the source, as opposed to the traditional centralized approaches that drain stormwater into management ponds. Rain gardens, porous pavement, cisterns and vegetated roofs are examples of decentralized stormwater management.

Instructions and forms for submitting proposals are available at http://www.informz.net.All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. June 20.