TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2018
COMMITTEE ON MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization to enter into a Copyright License Agreement with UWM Research Foundation, Inc. for a Software Tool for Probabilistic Reliability Evaluation and Effluent Quality Risk Analysis of Wastewater Treatment Plants
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to enter into a copyright license agreement with UWM Research Foundation, Inc. (UWMRF) for receiving a non-exclusive, royalty free license to a software tool for probabilistic reliability evaluation and effluent quality risk analysis of wastewater treatment plants. Through previous authorization by the Board of Commissioners, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) has been a member of the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Water Equipment and Policy (I/UCRC WEP) since February 2015. The I/UCRC WEP’s primary function is to conduct research and develop water, stormwater and wastewater oriented technologies for I/UCRC WEP members in an academic environment via partnership between Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), and industrial organizations, companies and water and wastewater utilities like the District. The copyright license agreement will automatically renew annually.
The software tool for probabilistic reliability evaluation and effluent quality risk analysis of wastewater treatment plants, which the District plans to license, was developed by a UWM associate professor and his team through an I/UCRC WEP research project in 2016. This software tool can be used to perform holistic water reclamation plant (WRP) reliability evaluation with the consideration of a set of uncertain factors, including the WRP influent profile, mechanical failures of WRP components, electrical failures of the power supply system, human errors, and other factors. The outcome of such evaluation can be useful for assessing and improving WRP reliability, resiliency, and effluent quality by enabling more informed decision making for asset management in WRPs.
Pursuant to the membership agreement with I/UCRC WEP, the District has the option to exercise its right to receive a non-exclusive, royalty free license to certain university-owned technologies developed by I/UCRC WEP researchers. Pursuant to the agreement between UWM and UWMRF, UWMRF has the right to license and sublicense certain UWM-owned intellectual property.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize to enter into a copyright license agreement with UWMRF to receiving a non-exclusive, royalty free license to a software tool for probabilistic reliability evaluation and effluent quality risk analysis of wastewater treatment plants.
It is further requested that the Executive Director be given authority to execute all documents necessary in furtherance of this Agreement.
Requested, Edward W. Podczerwinski, Director of Monitoring and Research, EWP:KB:HZ:ps/ae
Respectfully Submitted, Kari K. Steele, Chairman Committee on Monitoring and Research
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for April 19, 2018