Date: January 31, 2021
The Project WET Foundation and the WateReuse Association announce the release of a new Water Reuse booklet that introduces students...
Date: May 23, 2013
May 23, 2012
Alexandria, VA — The WateReuse Research Foundation announces the release of a new video presentation titled “Downstream: A simple story about the need for water reuse technology for a sustainable future.” The seven-minute video is a timely companion to recent documentaries that probe water scarcity and the off-putting reaction that some people have to drinking water that has been through a wastewater treatment plant. “Downstream” puts into perspective that there is much most of us do not realize about the current use and reuse of water. In fact, this lack of understanding contributes to the stigmatization of the very thing we want to promote. The video can be viewed at www.athirstyplanet.com/your_h20/downstream.
Using vivid imagery, “Downstream” provides a transparent view of treatment technologies and reveals that water reuse does not involve drinking water directly from our toilets. The video shows that in the world of water, we are all downstream. The majority of the world’s population drinks from rivers and streams that contain treated wastewater. So even though drinking water that has been through a water purification plant may seem foreign and off-putting, it is nothing new. We have been doing it for centuries and all manner of animals (including humans) have ‘pooped’ in upstream waters.
“The Downstream video has given audiences an informed understanding of the need for water reuse as a sustainable water resource. It unlocks the viewer’s emotional and intellectual curiosity and leaves them with a clear understanding of the urban water cycle,” said Rich Nagel, General Manager of the West Basin Municipal Water District in Carson, CA.
Surprisingly, many are unaware that effective water treatment has led to the high levels of public health seen in the developed parts of the world. Today’s water treatment technologies can reliably produce extraordinarily high quality water, can do so better and faster than Mother Nature, and can produce a water that is the safest on the planet.
“Downstream” was developed as part of a WateReuse Research Foundation project. The purpose of this study was to use images and approaches to measure people’s responses to drinking water reuse. The project illustrates that where water is concerned, it is quality of treatment—not the source—that is most important. The concept of water reuse was easily embraced in research settings conducted in the U.S. and Australia. In a very short time, a majority of research respondents accepted even the most innovative drinking water reuse options.
“This is among the most important work of the WateReuse Research Foundation. When water reuse is presented to the public clearly, transparently, and without stigmatizing images, this project has shown that the public sees water reuse as the smart, commonplace and sustainable strategy that it is,” said Wade Miller, Executive Director of the WateReuse Research Foundation.
This study was conducted on behalf of the WateReuse Research Foundation by a team led by Linda Macpherson of CH2M HILL, Dr. Shane Snyder of the University of Arizona, Ian Law of IBL Solutions, and Steve Johnson of Johnson and Associates, LLC. Expert review was provided by George Tchbonaglous, a Professor Emeritus at the University of California–Davis and Dr. Paul Slovic of Decision Research.
The “Downstream” video and an executive summary from the research project can be viewed at the following url: www.athirstyplanet.com/your_h20/downstream.
Date: January 31, 2021
The Project WET Foundation and the WateReuse Association announce the release of a new Water Reuse booklet that introduces students...
WateReuse Members Profiled in EPA Water Workforce Compendium
Date: January 29, 2021
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is showcasing the successes of several WateReuse Association members in recruiting and retaining a...
WateReuse Applauds Selection of Radhika Fox to Lead EPA’s Office of Water
Date: January 22, 2021
The WateReuse Association applauds the appointment of Radhika Fox as Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s...
WateReuse is the only trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. Our niche strategy sets us apart from other organizations in the water industry.
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Water and Waste Regulations | West Virginia West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Washington State Department of Ecology, Reclaimed Water | Washington Washington State Department of Ecology
Reclaimed Water Use (Revised Code of Washington §90.46.005) | Washington State Legislature
Virginia State Law, Treatment and Standards for Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Virginia State Law, Minimum Standard Requirements for Reuses of Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Use of Reclaimed Water (Texas Administrative Code §30.1.210) | Texas Administrative Code
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 210- Use of Reclaimed Water | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 321, Subchapter P | Texas Administrative Code
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. §5.102 | Texas Administrative Code
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. §26.011. | Texas Administrative Code
2015 South Carolina Plumbing Code- Chapter 13 Nonpotable Water Systems | South Carolina Plumbing Code
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Water Reuse Program | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Water Resources Department, Municipal Water Reuse | Oregon Water Resources Department
Recycled Water Use Rules (Oregon Administrative Rules 340-055-0005) | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
3701-29-17 Gray water recycling systems and alternative toilets. | Ohio Administrative Code
North Dakota Water Commission, North Dakota State Policy/Procedure for Transfer and Reuse of Wastewater | North Dakota Water Commission
Local Water Supply Plans (General Statutes of North Carolina §143-355) |
New York Environmental Protection Department, Water Reuse Program | New York Environmental Protection Department
New York Environmental Protection Department, Water Reuse Guide 2018-2019 | New York Environmental Protection Department
New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Oil and Gas Extraction Wastewater Management | New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
New Mexico Environment Department, Water Resources & Management | New Mexico Environment Department
Water Project Finance Section; Implementation of state water plan (New Mexico Statutes §72-4A-9) | New Mexico Statutes
Water Conservation Plans; municipalities, counties and water suppliers. (New Mexico Statutes §72-14-3.2) | New Mexico Statutes
State Water Plan Authorization (New Mexico Statutes §72-14-3.1) | New Mexico Statutes
New Hampshire Department of Environment Services, Land Treatment and Disposal of Reclaimed Wastewater: Guidance for Groundwater Discharge Permitting | New Hampshire Department of Environment Services
Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota -2018 Report of the Interagency Workgroup of Water Reuse | Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Municipal Wastewater Reuse Fact Sheet | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Reclaimed Water Information | Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Department of the Environment, Water Reuse Initiative | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Maryland Water Reuse Laws, Regulation, and Guidelines | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Water Reuse General Background Information
Kansas Water Office, Non-Traditional Sources and Uses of Water-Reuse | Kansas Water Office
567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 62: Effluent and Pretreatment Standards: Other Effluent Limits or Prohibitions | Iowa Department of Environmental Protection
Recycled Water Rules (Idaho Administrative Code 58.01.17)| Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s Reuse Program | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Study on the expansion of use of reclaimed water, stormwater, and excess surface water (Florida Senate Bill 536 (2015)) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Sewage disposal facilities; advanced and secondary waste treatment. (Florida Statutes §403.086)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §403.0645)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §373.250) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse Feasibility Studies (Florida Administrative Code 62-610.820) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Required and optional elements of comprehensive plans (Florida Statutes §163.3177) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 2014 State of Connecticut Water Reuse Bill | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Regulation No. 84 – Reclaimed Water Control Regulation | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Commission
Use of Recycled Water; Reclaimed Water Quality Standards (Arizona Administrative Code §18-9-7) | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 7. Use of Recycled Water. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 11, Article 3. Reclaimed Water Quality Standards. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Reclaimed Water Reuse Program Chapter 335-6-20 | Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Regulations Related to Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
Surface Water Augmentation Regulations (California Code of Regulations Title 22 § 60301.170) | State Water Resources Control Board
Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (California Code of Regulations Title 23 §490-495)
Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
Water Management Planning | Assembly Bill (AB) 1668 and Senate Bill (SB) 606-May 31, 2018