News from WateReuse California (WRCA)
News from WateReuse California (WRCA)
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WateReuse California

September 2021
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WateReuse California Hosts Successful Hybrid Conference, Registration Still Available for Virtual Event 

Nearly 600 people participated in the 2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference last week, with more than 400 people choosing to attend the hybrid event in person in Los Angeles. Recordings of all sessions are available for on-demand viewing in the WateReuse virtual conference platform. Register today to view the sessions through October 31. Learn more.
Register Today for Virtual Sessions!
Conference Highlights

California’s recycled water community came together to learn, network, and discover the latest trends in the design, management, operation, and use of water recycling facilities and projects. The program included 48 technical sessions, seven panel presentations, two tours, and many networking opportunities.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles’ Water Reuse Future panel featured the leaders who are planning groundbreaking water reuse efforts. For over 60 years, water and wastewater agencies in the Los Angeles region have been on the forefront of water reuse, implementing numerous projects, driving regulatory change, and pushing forward technical innovation. The panel highlighted bold, large-scale projects, including the Operation NEXT-Hyperion 2035 Joint Programs, the Regional Recycled Water Program, and groundwater storage and augmentation projects in the Central and West Coast Groundwater Basins.

In a moment of fun during the Gordon Cologne Breakfast, Southern California took their first win in a Family Feud North vs South competition that featured questions on water recycling.

2021 WateReuse California Awards of Excellence

The WateReuse California Awards of Excellence were presented during a luncheon on Monday. Congratulations to our winners:

  • Inaugural Bahman Sheikh Award for Vision in Water Reuse: Felicia Marcus, William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow, Stanford University Water in the West Program
  • Recycled Water Advocate of the Year: Jesus Gonzales, Manager of Water Recycling Policy, Water Resources Division, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
  • Recycled Water Agency of the Year – Large: Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant
  • Recycled Water Agency of the Year – Medium: City of Ukiah
  • Recycled Water Agency of the Year – Small: City of Healdsburg Reclamation Facility
  • Recycled Water Customer of the Year: Forest Lawn Memorial Parks
  • Recycled Water Outreach/Education Program of the Year: Pure Water Oceanside
  • Recycled Water Staff Person of the Year: Ben Smith, Senior Engineer, Orange County Water District
  • President’s Award: Mike Markus, General Manager, Orange County Water District
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Bahman Sheikh (posthumous)
 
WateReuse California Update
 
Governor Newsom Signs Climate Action Bills – Invests in Recycled Water
 

Last week, Governor Newsom signed a package of climate action bills that includes up to $200 million in grants for recycled water. Of the $200 million, $50 million in grant funds is designated for the City of San Diego’s Pure Water Project. The other $150 million will include some funding for groundwater cleanup. The exact split and grant cap for the remaining recycled water funding will be worked out in the coming months by the Water Board. Additionally, the package included funding for the state match for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, as well as additional funding for this program. This should greatly increase funding opportunities for recycled water in this program.

 A state budget surplus is expected next year as well, and WateReuse California will continue its advocacy efforts to seek funding for recycled water projects. Our goal will be to have recycled water grant funding included in the Governor’s Budget that will be released in January.  We thank all the agencies that assisted us in securing this funding.
New Version of Draft DPR Regulations Released
 

In August, the Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water released another version of the Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) draft regulations that responded to comments made by WateReuse California and its members. 

This version contains additional flexibility on the treatment train requirements – allowing the use of Ozone-Biological Activated Carbon, or another treatment process, after Reverse Osmosis, as long as the process adheres to performance criteria that ensures the same level of public health protection can be achieved. Another positive change is a provision that allows additional flexibility for certified operators of DPR projects.  The previous draft required DPR facilities to be staffed with operators that have achieved an advanced water treatment operator (AWTO) 5 certification at all times.  WRCA asked for flexibility on this provision as there are currently only seven AWTO 5 operators in the state.  The new draft includes some flexibility on this provision (see section 64669.35 on Operator Certification). Read the Draft.

The DPR regulations are expected to be complete and adopted by the Water Board by the end of 2023. 

 
 
 
 
Chapter Updates and Member News

San Francisco Expands Onsite Water Reuse Rules
In an effort to further address climate change and drought, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) board of supervisors passed a measure that doubles the amount of water new large buildings are directed to collect and reuse. The measure expands the existing regulation established in 2012, which requires large commercial buildings, 250,000 square feet or larger, to treat wastewater from showers and bathroom sinks for reuse in flushing toilets and irrigation. The new regulation will go into effect for buildings permitted after January 1, 2022. Read more.

Eastern Municipal Water District’s Recycled Water Retrofit Program Wins Award
Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) was honored as the winner of the 2021 California Municipal Utilities Association’s Resource Efficiency and Community Service Award for large agencies in the water sector. This award was granted for EMWD’s Recycled Water Accelerated Retrofit Program, which supports transitioning landscape areas to recycled water while promoting water conservation. Read more.

San Elijo General Manager Participates in 100 Wave Challenge for Charity
Michael Thornton, General Manager of the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, participated in this year’s 100 Wave Challenge to fundraise for Boys to Men Mentoring. Each surfer is tasked with attempting to catch 100 waves in 1 day and raise $1,000 for Boys to Men Mentoring. Read more.
 
 
Member Engagement Opportunities

Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
October 12, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm PDT

Orange County Chapter Meeting
October 21, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm PDT

Inland Empire WateReuse Chapter Meeting & Elections
October 26, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm PDT

California Agricultural Reuse Webcast: Moving to the Next Level
November 10, 11 am – 12 pm PDT

  • Join WateReuse California’s Agriculture Reuse committee to discuss the benefits of agriculture reuse, programs and case-studies, regulations, and an outlook for the future. Register here.

For more information about WateReuse California, please contact: 

  • Jennifer West, Managing Director
    Jwest@watereuse.org | (916) 496-1470

  • Charles LaSalle, Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Manager
    CLaSalle@watereuse.org | (916) 216-6015

If you have additional news or meetings to share, please contact:

  • Heather Strathearn, Program Manager and Engineering Specialist
    hstrathearn@watereuse.org | (571) 445-5511
 

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