WateReuse News: Three Years of the Water Reuse Action Plan

News from the Leading Advocate for Water Reuse

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March 27, 2023

Washington Updates

Celebrating the Third Year of the National Water Reuse Action Plan

This month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WateReuse Association celebrate the third anniversary of the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). The EPA provided an update on collaborative progress at the 2023 WateReuse Symposium alongside a panel session featuring the Water Reuse Interagency Working Group. WateReuse congratulates EPA for its leadership on the WRAP and celebrates our collective efforts on advancing water reuse and recycling.

Since the launch of the WRAP in 2020, the collaborative effort has engaged 135 action leaders and partner organizations, 62 action commitments, and more than 100 resources. To highlight the extensive list of WRAP resources, the EPA water reuse program recently launched the EPA Water Reuse Resource Hub which organizes resources for water reuse practitioners by end-use application.

WateReuse is proud to have led or supported key efforts over the last three years including supporting the U.S.-Israel Exchange on Water Reuse (Action 11.1), establishing the first Industrial Water Reuse Champions Award (Action 8.4), and supporting a report on Multi-Agency Water Reuse Programs: Lessons for Successful Collaboration (Action 2.16). WateReuse looks forward to continued engagement with federal and water sector partners on the WRAP.

Year Three Update

Action Alert: 2024 Appropriations

Following the release of the President’s FY 2024 budget request in March 2023, Congress is now deciding how much funding will go to critical water recycling programs. The President’s budget request includes full first-time funding for the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program, the only nationwide water recycling grant program. Take action today! Contact your members of Congress and urge them to provide $25 million for the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program.

Special Message for Members of the U.S. Senate: Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is circulating a sign-on letter, asking other members of the Senate to join him in requesting the full $25 million for the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants in FY 2024. As you talk to your senators, urge them to join Senator Padilla's letter, no later than this Thursday, March 30!

Calling Instructions

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association and WateReuse California welcome Ross Valley Sanitary District (RVSD). Also known as Sanitary District No. 1, Ross Valley Sanitary District is believed to be California’s oldest sanitary district – established May 27, 1899. The District provides wastewater collection services to 10 service areas and maintains 19 pumping stations and approximately 200 miles of collection sewer lines.

Ross Valley Sanitary District

CA: Paso Robles Secures Grants for New Recycled Water System

The City of Paso Robles has lined up over $9 million in grant funding to construct a new recycled water distribution system. The funding comes from California's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and a low-interest loan. “This recycled water infrastructure is very important for the future of Paso Robles. Recycled water will further diversify the city’s water supplies, help restore balance to our groundwater basin, and support continued economic prosperity," explained Paso Robles' Recycled Water Manager Matt Thompson. Read more.

NY: Long Island Water Reuse Roadmap & Action Plan

Last week, Seatuck Environmental Association and other nonprofit environmental organizations published the Long Island Water Reuse Road Map & Action Plan. The plan cites nitrogen levels in waterways and receding aquifer levels in the Long Island region as drivers. It recommends developing water reuse regulations and guidelines in Nassau County, New York, and convening a Long Island Water Reuse Working Group. Read more.

WI: NEW Water Provides Recycled Water for Paper Production

The Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce recently highlighted the water recycling efforts of NEW Water and Green Bay Packaging in their Collective Impact magazine. NEW Water recycles water from the Green Bay region and serves it to Green Bay Packaging for mill process water, reducing use of water from Lake Michigan by more than 200 million gallons. Green Bay Packaging took an early business interest in recycled water to ensure resiliency against future water supply and regulatory restrictions, and because they identified a customer interest in the sustainability of their product. Read more.

International Update

Australia: Fraser Coast Water Utility Extends Recycled Water Service

Wide Bay Water, a utility serving the Fraser Coast region in Australia, recently begun a project to extend recycled water for irrigation. The project includes laying pipe and pumping recycled water from the Toogoom Sewage Treatment Plant to irrigate pastures, sugar cane crops, golf courses, and hardwood plantations. Fraser Coast’s water reuse program has been in place for more than 25 years and regularly uses at least 90 percent of the area’s treated wastewater for irrigation uses. Read more.

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

WateReuse Newsroom

Discover the latest news and take a deep dive into WateReuse advocacy efforts by visiting the WateReuse Newsroom. Past press releases, latest updates, and extended versions of newsletter stories are available for you to learn more about what’s happening in the world of water recycling.

Visit WateReuse Newsroom

WateReuse Event Calendar

U.S. EPA Webcast: Competition Process

March 28, 2023 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

This webinar covers how to find and successfully apply for EPA grants.

U.S. EPA Webcast: What to Expect When You're Expecting ... a Grant

March 29, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET

EPA will review what grant recipients need to do and look for when they receive a grant award, discuss how to understand terms and conditions of grants, and talk through EPA’s oversight once a grant is awarded.

U.S. EPA Webcast: Proposed PFAS Rule

March 29, 2023 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET

This webinar covers how to find and successfully apply for EPA grants.

Water Research Foundation: PFAS Communications Workshop

Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 9:00-11:30 am ET
Reservoir Center | 301 Water St. SE, Washington DC

Join the Water Research Foundation for a workshop to assist water, water resource recovery, and water reuse utility staff involved with public communications on PFAS. The workshop will draw from WRF’s recent completed project: PFAS One Water Risk Communication Messaging for Water Sector Professionals and is taking place as part of the Water Week Fly-In in Washington DC.

U.S. EPA Public Hearing: Proposed PFAS Rule

May 4, 2023 | 11:00 am -7:00 pm ET

At the public hearing, members of the public can register to attend and provide verbal comments to EPA on the rule proposal. Registration is required to attend and the last day to register to speak at the hearing is April 28, 2023.