WateReuse California Review - April 2023

WateReuse California and its members are fighting hard in the California Legislature to protect existing budget funding, as well as fight for more funding in two climate bond measures that have been introduced this legislative session.

This week the Assembly Budget Sub Committee took up the state Water Board budget, which currently contains $170 million for potable reuse grant funding and $100 million for all types of recycled water projects. Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel and WRCA’s legislative advocate made strong arguments for keeping this funding in the budget despite a large and growing budget deficit. The budget item will not be voted on until later in the spring. 

The Legislature is also considering two bond measures for the 2024 ballot that are intended to address drought, climate change and a host of other related resource issues. SB 867 (Allen) and AB 1567 (Garcia) currently both contain $300 million for recycled water projects. This week Assemblymember Garcia said in committee he supported significantly increasing this amount. See the WRCA advocacy letters requesting $1.5 billion for recycled water. 

The first Dr. Bahman Sheikh Memorial Scholarship was recently awarded to Ben Hodgson, a third-year student majoring in Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning at UC Davis.The scholarship fund was created by WateReuse Association, WateReuse California, and the University of California Davis to honor the legacy of Dr. Sheikh, a water reuse pioneer and a lifetime honorary member of the WateReuse Association.

Hodgson is studying water resource management and hopes to work in public policy related to water upon graduating. “The scholarship has helped make my education more affordable and has introduced me to Dr. Sheikh’s inspiring work to implement sustainable water systems in so many communities,” Hodgson said. Upon receiving the award, Hodgson also had an opportunity to meet Dr. Sheikh’s widow, Charlotte.

You can donate here or participate in the WateReuse California Charity Golf Tournament to help sustain the scholarship.

The State Legislature updated the residential indoor standard in 2022 with the passage of Senate Bill 1157 (Statutes 2022, Chapter 679, Hertzberg). When the Governor signed SB 1157, he included a signing message that said “…nothing in this bill prohibits the Board from creating variances, including a variance to reflect local investments in recycled water and infrastructure. I encourage the Board to do this.” 

WateReuse California has been in contact with the State Board’s Climate and Strategy Advisor within the Office of Research, Planning and Performance.  We will be continuing to support the Governor’s signing message and track and report any progress and developments.  State Board staff are still developing the proposed regulation to implement the Making Conservation a California Way of Life Framework (framework). There will be multiple opportunities for the public to provide input before the Board considers adopting the framework.

The formal rulemaking process is expected to begin by May 2023. Once the rulemaking process has officially begun, the State Board has one year to complete the process.

For questions or additional information, please contact WateReuse California’s Manager of Regulatory Affairs Rosario Cortés at rcortes@watereuse.org.

On April 14, 2023, officials gathered to dedicate the completion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS), the world’s largest indirect potable reuse facility. Located in Fountain Valley, the GWRS is a joint project of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San).

The completion reflects a decades-long effort by OCWD and OC San to invest in a more resilient water supply and builds upon their legacy of reusing a once wasted resource. With the final expansion online, the GWRS recycles 100% of OC San’s reclaimable wastewater flows, providing up to 130 million gallons of water a day (MGD) – enough to serve one million people.

The GWRS has garnered global attention for its innovative approach and use of technology and continues to serve as a global model for reuse. Operational since January 2008, the GWRS began producing 70 MGD and increased production to 100 MGD after an initial expansion was completed in May 2015. To date, it has produced more than 400 billion gallons of water and counting.

The GWRS takes treated wastewater and purifies it using a three-step advanced treatment process – microfiltration and ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. It improves water quality in the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, and offers a more cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative than importing water from distant sources. Over the years, GWRS water has become a primary source used to refill the groundwater basin, which provides 85% of the water supply for 2.5 million people.

The public is invited to learn more and take a tour.