WateReuse California Review - March 2024

On March 20th, WateReuse California participated in a State Water Resources Control Board workshop about the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation. The workshop covered proposed changes followed by an opportunity for public comment. WRCA testified in support of the recycled water updates, thanked the State Board for the revisions, and urged them to keep them in the draft. In total, 51 commenters spoke.

The proposed regulation is on schedule to be considered for adoption by the State Board this summer; if adopted it would go into effect in 2025.

At its March 19, 2024 meeting, the Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors unanimously selected Melanie Mow Schumacher to become the District’s next General Manager. Schumacher, currently the District’s Special Projects-Communications Manager/Assistant General Manager, will assume her new duties on October 1, 2024, upon the retirement of current General Manager Ron Duncan.

On March 19^th, the State Water Resources Control Board held a Board Meeting. State Board staff provided an overview of the proposed plan to provide the Deputy Director of the Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) with discretion to reduce the maximum grant amount for water recycling construction projects. Their presentation was followed by an opportunity for public comment. WRCA testified in support of the draft Resolution language we secured through an advocacy effort with our association partners.

Please find here WateReuse California's comment letter.  

The notice is linked here: State Board Meeting on March 19.

The world’s top experts in water reuse and recycling convened last month in Denver for the 2024 WateReuse Symposium to explore the unprecedented opportunities for global water recycling. Over 900 water professionals from across the United States and around the world met to learn about the latest technologies, policy approaches, and operational strategies for building sustainable communities through water recycling.

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: 

• Brenley McKenna, Managing Director
  bmckenna@watereuse.org