WateReuse California Review - May 2023

WRCA is organizing a focused California legislative advocacy campaign on the proposed climate bond that highlights the statewide benefits of increased funding for water recycling. WRCA is calling on its local agencies to join us now in seeking $1.8 billion in grants for water recycling in the climate bond proposed for the 2024 ballot. Currently, the two legislative vehicles for the bond are AB 1567 (Garcia) and SB 867 (Allen) – each containing $300 million in grants. If your agency would like to support the bond request and join the coalition effort, please contact the WRCA Managing Director Jennifer West at jwest@watereuse.org

Recently WRCA was informed by the State Water Board that the release of the Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) regulations and start of the formal regulation adoption process (Administrative Procedures Act -- APA) has been delayed yet again and now may be released as late as July. WRCA has stressed to the Chair of the Water Board how critical it is that there be time available to comment and make needed changes as appropriate in the regulations before they are adopted. The planned Water Board vote on the DPR regulations is currently set for the second week of December 2023. The last draft of the regulations was released in June 2022 and WRCA has been told several important changes have been made to the draft. WRCA is formally asking the Water Board to either immediately start the APA process with the release of a new draft or release a new draft for review even if the APA cannot be started.

On Friday, May 19th the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) released the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) draft Intended Use Plan (IUP). 

The draft IUP lays out the State Board’s business plan for administering the CWSRF, the Water Recycling Funding Program and other complementary funding for state fiscal year (SFY) 2023-24. The IUP identifies the available funding, the types of projects eligible to receive financing, the associated financing terms, and the measures that will be used to track the programs’ performance. 

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the State Board will accept public comments on the draft State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023-24 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWRSF) IUPs and Supplemental IUPs. 

WateReuse California will be reviewing the IUP and preparing comments and testimony for the June 20th State Board Workshop. 

Should you want to provide written comments, the deadline for submission is noon on June 23, 2023.

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

Sponsorships and playing slots are now available for a golf tournament (Nov.5) to benefit the Dr. Bahman Sheikh Memorial Scholarship—as part of the WRCA annual conference. This scholarship supports undergraduate student(s) pursuing a degree at UC Davis focused on developing and implementing sustainable solutions for water resources management, including water recycling, that supports agriculture, industry, and healthy communities. View the event flyer for more information.

Deadline: August 15, 2023
Each year, WateReuse California recognizes agencies, customers, and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing water recycling in California. The awards will be presented at the 2023 WateReuse California Conference in Indian Wells. We invite you to nominate leaders advancing the practice of water reuse in California!