WateReuse Review - January 18, 2022

News from the Leading Advocate for Water Reuse

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January 18, 2022

37th Annual WateReuse Symposium

Different Drivers, Different Strategies

Recent market analysis reveals that demand for water reuse programs is growing far beyond its traditional home base in arid, drought-prone regions like the American West. Different drivers for water reuse include stormwater management, water quality challenges, industrial demands, and more.

Join us at a special Monday luncheon plenary session: “Different Drivers, Different Strategies: Water Reuse in New Places” at the 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Antonio, Texas this March 6-9.

Karen Pallansch, Chief Executive Officer of Alexandria Renew Enterprises in Virginia will lead a panel discussion about the emerging role of water recycling in new geographies and new industrial sectors. Pallansch will be joined by Bluefield Research's Greg Goodwin who is studying these trends, and by representatives of utilities and industrial water users from across the country.

One Water from California to Texas, Virginia & Beyond

A special Tuesday session presented by Arcadis will carry forward this theme: highlighting One Water strategies across the United States. Arcadis’ Ufuk Erdal, PhD, will moderate a conversation with David Pedersen from Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and Hubertus Cox from Los Angeles Environment and Sanitation (California), Sharon Citino from Houston Water (Texas), and Lauren Zuravnsky of Hampton Roads Sanitation District (Virginia).

Washington Update

Interior Department Announces Historic Investment in Water Recycling

Over the past year, the WateReuse Association led an advocacy campaign to secure $1 billion for western water recycling as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). On Friday, January 14, the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation began to release these funds, beginning with $550 million for the Title XVI Water Reuse Grants Program.

The funding opportunities announced on Friday include both the Title XVI Congressionally Authorized Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects, with a project cap of $20 million, and Title XVI-WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects, with an increased funding cap of $30 million per project. WateReuse Association was instrumental in raising the Title XVI-WIIN per-project funding cap to account for the rising costs of infrastructure projects. Applications are due March 15, 2022.

In the coming weeks, the WateReuse Association will work with the Bureau of Reclamation to launch the next portion of the water recycling funding provided by the IIJA—$450 million for a new competitive grants program for large-scale water recycling projects. Read more.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Proposes Rule on Agricultural Water Standards

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule that would apply to recycled water used in agricultural production and processing. The proposal, open for public comment through April 5, would set pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for produce under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). WateReuse will work with our members and partners to ensure that the standards take a risk-based approach. Clarifying questions can be sent to AgWater@fda.hhs.gov, or reach out to Aliza Furneaux for further information.

EPA Aims to Include Point of Use Reverse Osmosis Systems under WaterSense

The EPA released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to develop draft specifications for point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) systems to earn a WaterSense label. EPA is aiming to understand RO system manufacturers’ interest and capability in developing high-efficiency point-of-use RO systems to earn the label. EPA will host an information webinar on February 16 from 2-4 pm E.T.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

South Metro Water Supply Authority joins the WateReuse Association and our dynamic WateReuse Colorado Section as a partnership of 13 water providers in the South Metro region of Denver, Colorado. Since these providers joined forces in 2004, they have worked together to make water reuse a priority.

AZ: Governor Proposes $1 Billion for Water Infrastructure, including Water Reuse

Governor Doug Ducey proposed spending $1 billion over three years to help “secure Arizona’s water future for the next 100 years.” The governor’s office noted that in addition to desalination, this includes water reuse projects and efficiency upgrades. Senior director of Environmental Defense Fund's Colorado River program Kevin Moran reiterated that it “must include projects that treat and reuse wastewater, replenish local groundwater, and capture and recharge stormwater to benefit communities and ecosystems." Read more.

Op-Ed: In the Face of Climate Change, Utilities Need to Invest in Resilience

WateReuse Association’s executive director Patricia Sinicropi spoke with the authors of column for Water Online about investing in climate resilience. “With enactment of the bipartisan infrastructure investment package,” she said, “Congress and the Biden administration recognize the essential role water recycling is playing in helping communities confront the impacts of climate change and build more resilient and sustainable water resources for their communities.” The article lays out how and why utilities should plan for climate resilience. Read more.

CA: Water Boards Open Submissions for 2021 Volumetric Water Reuse Data

The California State Water Resources Control Board is now collecting data submissions for the Volumetric Annual Report. Applicable wastewater and recycled water permittees are required to report 2021 monthly volumes of influent, wastewater produced, and effluent, including treatment level and discharge type by April 30, 2022. Read more.

TX: Fort Worth-Area Utility Plans Wetlands Project to Reuse Water

The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) is developing a wetlands project which will help treat river water containing wastewater effluent, providing water for an estimated 560,000 people. TRWD will share more about the project during their WateReuse Symposium technical session, “Increasing Water Resiliency through Collaboration in North Central Texas.” Read more.

International Update

Taiwan: Second Recycled Water Plant Formally Opens

A January 14 ceremony celebrated a new water recycling plant in the city of Kaohsiung. The plant supplies 33,000 cubic meters of water for industrial and manufacturing purposes. Read more.

Research Update

EPA Awards Small Businesses with Funds for Innovation Research

As a part of the Small Business Innovation Research program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded funding to multiple businesses focused on water reuse research. These projects include a zero-waste system to maximize chemical energy potential in wastewater and output three valuable reuse streams, and a fully automated analytical system for measurement of N-nitrosamines to support water reuse applications. Read more.

Student Wins Award for Washing Machine Water Reuse Design

Coventry University student Joe Baker won an award in DesignSpark’s People Planet Product competition for a recycled water washing machine. The machine, which sits on a raised platform to allow gravity-based filtration, was part of an initiative aimed at making low-tech washing machines accessible to low-income communities with limited access to water and electricity. Read more.

Water Reuse Conferences, Webcasts, and Events

Conferences

37th Annual WateReuse Symposium
Marriott Rivercenter | San Antonio, Texas
March 6-9, 2022

January Policy Webcasts

The historic passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in November 2021 changed the landscape for water reuse funding. What new opportunities have opened up? How can your community benefit?

Register for two upcoming webcasts on the IIJA: a summary for members nationwide on January 25, and a session hosted by WateReuse California on January 26.

What the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Means for Your Community: Program Implementation Details and Timeline
January 25, 2022
11:00 am PT | 2:00 pm ET | (60 mins)

CA: How the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and California State Water Recycling Funding Can Help Your Community Advance Water Reuse
January 26, 2022
11:00 am PT | 2:00 pm ET | (60 mins)

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

Job Opportunities from the WateReuse Career Center:

Administrative and Accounting Assistant
WateReuse Association
Join us! We’re seeking a full-time team member to support critical business and accounting functions.
Closes January 31
Apply here.

Deputy Water & Sewer Director (Operations)
Miami-Dade County
Closes February 5
Apply here.

Looking to Engage Late Elementary or Middle School Students on Water Reuse?

The Water Reuse Activity Booklet introduces students to the world of water reuse. Developed by WateReuse Association and Project WET, this full-color booklet includes fun activities that develop math and science skills.

Order here

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