WateReuse California Review - February 2024

Recently, Assemblymember Diane Papan (AD -21 San Mateo) was selected as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife -- an important committee for recycled water legislation.

In January, Dave Pedersen, WateReuse California (WRCA) President and Director, and Shivaji Deshmukh, WRCA Chair of the Legislative-Regulatory Committee, met with Chair Papan and a dozen key leaders in the State Legislature, as well as the State Water Resources Control Board. The main topic of conversation was the Governor's budget and that recycled water funding is critical.  We shared the WRCA Potable Reuse Map of California that is posted on our website. WRCA urges its members to develop and enhance relationships with their legislators, emphasizing the importance of recycled water in their districts.

In late 2023, WateReuse California assisted the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) with a report on planned recycled water projects. In February 2024, The State Board publicized the report in a post on X, committing to “streamlining permitting & removing barriers for recycled water projects, & identifying the highest priority research needs to fund.”  The Governor's Water Supply Strategy includes statewide goals for recycling at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030 and 1.8 million acre-feet by 2040.  State Water Board staff compiled a list of planned recycled water projects that hold the potential to deliver additional recycled water by 2030 and by no later than 2040.

After the State Water Resources Control Board adopted regulations
for direct potable reuse on Dec. 19, water and environmental leaders from across the
state are emphasizing why this is a safe and environmentally sound way to develop climate-resilient drinking water supplies.

WateReuse California has four standing committees:

• Agricultural Reuse Committee
• Communications Collaborative Group Committee
• Legislative and Regulatory Committee
• Potable Reuse Permitting and Compliance Committee

These committees are designed to allow member organizations a direct way to engage in their most related reuse field. Any individual belonging to a WRCA member is eligible to join. If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please complete the interest form:

WateReuse California's seven chapters provide a forum for regional networking and to discuss local water recycling issues and projects: 

State Water Resources Control Board - View Upcoming Events

For more information about WateReuse California, please contact: 

• Rosario Cortés, Manager of Regulatory Affairs
  rcortes@watereuse.org