October 10, 2022

We know that you and your colleagues are moving mountains to bring about the funding, technological solutions, policies, and public outreach that make water reuse projects possible. Now is your chance to get some recognition for all that work! Make sure to submit a brief nomination by This FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 on behalf of yourself, a colleague, or another water reuse luminary for the 2023 WateReuse Awards for Excellence. The program recognizes WateReuse members, their projects and their partnerships that have made significant contributions in support of greater adoption of water reuse.

Congress is deciding final funding levels for critical water recycling programs in FY 2023. Congressional appropriators will determine whether the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants – a top WateReuse Association priority – will launch in its first year with $5 million, as proposed by the U.S. Senate, or $10 million, as proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Please Take Action Today! Contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support the House number of $10 million for the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program in FY 2023.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) awarded $6.4 million, split evenly between The Water Research Foundation and Iowa State University, for two research projects supporting national efforts to reduce technological and institutional barriers for expanded water reuse. The WateReuse Association is partnering with the Water Research Foundation team. The team will quantify water reuse potential across the nation while aiming to reduce biological and chemical health risk and provide stakeholders with user-friendly tools and materials to advance water reuse in communities both technologically and organizationally. The second research team lead by Iowa State University will integrate technological, institutional, and regulatory decision-making processes to accelerate water reuse adoption by addressing issues in water quality and availability in small, underserved communities. Both research projects will be conducted over the next five years. Read more.

To reaffirm its commitment to the 2021 Climate Adaptation Plan, U.S. EPA released 20 Climate Adaptation Implementation Plans from their major offices, national program offices, and all 10 regional offices. The Office of Water (OW)’s plan cites water reuse as a tool to enhance water supply availability. The plan aims to advance water reuse through the Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse, highlights agricultural applications, and takes into consideration the intersection of water reuse with tribal issues, equity, and the economy. OW’s plan includes three goal areas: improving the climate resilience of America’s water infrastructure, protecting America’s waters from impacts of a changing climate, and advancing the adaptive capacity of the water sector and the climate knowledge of communities and decisionmakers. WateReuse provided comments on EPA’s Climate Adaptation Plan and helped guide the development of the OW plan. We are working closely with the Agency to integrate water recycling into EPA programs and operations, support the work of the Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse, and guide the evolution and implementation of the National Water Reuse Action Plan.

With 23% of the state of Arizona in severe drought, the City of Tempe has set aside $60 million to reopen the Kyrene Water Reclamation Facility. The facility was built in the late 1980s and closed due to budget cuts in 2010. The plant will recycle an average of 4 million gallons per day, mainly to recharge aquifers beneath the city. “The more we can support cities and communities doing a better job of recycling water, the better off we’re going to be at these ongoing drought conditions,” said Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ). Read more.

Four California agencies that rely on water from the Colorado River laid out a plan to voluntarily reduce their use by one-tenth in a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and Palo Verde Irrigation District’s proposal is contingent on the water agencies getting money from the $4 billion in drought relief included in the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as a commitment by the federal government to help clean up the Salton Sea. Read more.

Last week the California State Water Resources Control Board awarded additional Proposition 1 funds to Soquel Creek Water District, which included both a $13.25 million grant and a $13.25 million loan at 1.6% interest. These funds will go toward construction of Pure Water Soquel, a project to replenish the overdrafted groundwater basin, prevent continued seawater contamination of that water supply, and provide a safe, high-quality, sustainable, and drought-proof water supply for current and future generations in the Santa Cruz Mid-County region. Read more.

Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) visited the South Jordan City’s Pure Water SoJo project, which is the first water purification demonstration project of its kind in Utah. “This is the kind of solution that could be adopted around the state to get people drinking water,” Romney said. The demonstration project recycles water to meet drinking water standards and will run for five years. South Jordan’s local water supplies are limited due to groundwater contamination and currently imports 100% of its water. Read more.

WateReuse California is the leading advocate for water recycling in the state. The section is seeking a motivated individual with at least five years water and policy/regulatory experience. Salary range $75K-$90K per year, including benefits.