January 29, 2024

The 2024 WateReuse Symposium is your opportunity to elevate your network and meet other practitioners dedicated to the future of water. When you join us in Denver, Colorado this March 11-14, you can refresh your professional presence at our complementary Headshot Studio, sponsored by JEA. With hours on both Tuesday and Wednesday of the event, professional photographers will help you get the perfect shot. Pick your favorites and have them emailed to you instantly!

In its most recent quarterly update, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added a new WateReuse-led action to the National Water Reuse Action Plan. Action 11.5: Facilitate a Global Dialogue on Water Reuse will be led by WateReuse in partnership with the International Desalination and Reuse Association. Action leaders will host a two-part Global Water Reuse Dialogue to bring together water utilities, practitioners, consultants, and others to take an in-depth look at the drivers, challenges, and opportunities for water reuse around the world. The findings of the dialogue will be published in a white paper. The first part of the dialogue will take place on Wednesday and Thursday of the 2024 WateReuse Symposium in Denver, Colorado. The Symposium sessions will feature a panel of global experts and an interactive workshop.

Earlier this month, the U.S. EPA announced a Request for Applications for entities interested in becoming Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technology. Eligible applicants for this funding include institutions of higher education, research entities, and nonprofit organizations. EPA is making a total of $3 million available through this funding announcement, with a minimum of $588,000 and a maximum of $980,000 available per cooperative agreement. The request outlines two project areas within the funding opportunity: 1) establish a center of excellence, and 2) develop a national electronic clearinghouse. Under Project Area 1, applicants are expected to demonstrate their stormwater management expertise in research, technical assistance, and collaboration across entities. The application period will remain open until March 18, 2024. Read more about the grant program and see the opportunity.

The popular San Francisco Bay Area call-in radio show Forum hosted a conversation on the state’s new Direct Potable Reuse regulations on Friday. The conversation featured Pacific Institute’s Heather Cooley, California Coastkeeper Alliance’s Sean Bothwell, and California State Water Resources Control Board’s Darrin Polhemus. The three experts explained the drivers for the new rules, and chronicled the long, rigorous process that brought them into existence. “I think of water efficiency and recycled water as ways to make our communities more resilient,” Cooley said, comparing the two as going hand-in-hand the same way as energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology. To learn more about California’s Direct Potable Reuse regulation, don’t miss WateReuse California’s new Summary and Treatment Infographic of the major provisions.