September 6, 2022

The WateReuse Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Suez, and University of Pennsylvania Water Center are partnering on a new Industrial Water Reuse Champion Award program. The program will recognize the top Fortune 1000 companies that incorporate best-in-class water reuse programs to improve stewardship and achieve their water management goals. A call for nominations will open in October 2022 with the first winner announced during the 2023 WateReuse Symposium in Atlanta. The award and partnership was developed as part of the National Water Reuse Action Plan, Action 8.4: Establish a Water Reuse Champion Award Program for Private Sector Companies. The WateReuse industrial reuse committee was integral in developing the award criteria. Read more.

Last Friday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) finalized Build America, Buy America provision waivers for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs and selected other U.S. EPA programs. The finalized SRF waiver covers projects that initiated project design prior to May 14, 2022. The proposed eligibility criteria previously required submission of engineering plans and specifications prior to May 14. This adjustment reflects the recommendations that WateReuse made for the proposed waiver. The update more accurately reflects the labor and design costs associated with project development prior to application for SRF and supports the pipeline of essential water projects under the program. Under the finalized waiver for other selected U.S. EPA programs, the Buy America requirements will be waived for projects that have funds obligated over the next six months, beginning with the finalized waiver date of September 2, 2022. WateReuse remains engaged with the U.S. EPA throughout the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and will continue to report on Buy America waivers. If you have any questions regarding program waivers, please contact Aliza Furneaux. Read more.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) began accepting letters of interest today for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. U.S. EPA is accepting letters of interest from prospective borrowers for the WIFIA and SWIFIA programs which will provide $5.5 billion and $1 billion in loans, respectively. This round’s program priorities include one water innovation and resilience, increasing investment in economically stressed communities, making rapid progress on lead service line replacement, and addressing PFAS and emerging contaminants. Letters of interest will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds have been expended. WateReuse encourages members to submit letters of interest.

Google published an interview with District Systems Water lead Drew Wenzel about water reuse at their campus in Mountain View. The building includes water conservation measures and non-potable treatment for all in-building wastewater and stormwater. Google is investigating export of excess non-potable water in coordination with local water agencies. Read more.

The Hill’s Dried Up series turned its focus to Texas’s climate instability. “You saw record dry conditions week after week after week,” said climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe about the Dallas region, “and then all of a sudden, a summer’s worth of rain in a single day.” Uneven precipitation, increased evaporation, and fast population growth are requiring local water agencies in the state to get creative. The article highlights water reuse as a solution to the challenge, including Austin Water’s On-site Water Reuse Pilot Project and direct potable reuse by Colorado River Municipal Water District in West Texas. Read more.

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Alexandria Renew Enterprises
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