WateReuse News: Four Years of WRAP, Joining WateReuse Ohio, and more!

March 25, 2024

Washington Update

Senate Committee Holds Hearing on PFAS Hazardous Designation; WateReuse Urges Liability Shield for Utilities

Last week, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) held a hearing to examine the implications of designating certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Committee heard from witnesses representing clean water and drinking water utilities, solid waste management facilities, and environmental organizations, among others. At the start of the hearing, Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) entered into the record hundreds of letters from entities such as WateReuse urging the Committee to hold PFAS manufacturers accountable for cleanup costs, and to enact a CERCLA liability shield for passive receivers of PFAS. WateReuse will continue to work with members of Congress to ensure that polluters are held responsible for PFAS contamination and that water recycling utilities are shielded from PFAS liability under CERCLA.

Celebrating Four Years of the U.S. EPA’s National Water Reuse Action Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WateReuse are celebrating the fourth year of progress on EPA’s National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). The WRAP has grown to include almost 70 different WRAP actions, with more than 170 water reuse resources, and 157 contributing organizations. The EPA Water Reuse Team identified five successful water reuse impact areas throughout the past year – regulatory and policy clarity, infrastructure investment, technological research, public perception, and technical support. The WateReuse Association helped develop and build support for the WRAP and continues to guide its evolution and implementation. To learn more about the WRAP and the WateReuse Association’s involvement, visit our WRAP page.

Read EPA's Annual Update

WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Application Period Extended

The Bureau of Reclamation has extended the second submission deadline for its WaterSMART Planning and Project Design Notice of Funding Opportunity from April 2 to May 21. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts or authorities, and other organizations with water or power authority that reside within a Reclamation state. This set of grants has three main categories of eligible activities: water strategy, project design, and drought contingency planning. The first will fund the planning of outreach, assessment, and scoping for water management and supply projects. The second focuses on the final design phase of medium to large scale projects. In these first two categories, nonprofits may also apply in partnership with any of the previously listed entities. The third and final set of grants fund the development and updating of drought plans. Between 2023 and 2024, $35 million in funding is available for 60 to 70 projects with a per-project funding cap of $400,000.

Learn More About the Program and How to Apply

Sate Updates and Member Profiles

Connect with WateReuse Ohio

WateReuse is proud to announce the establishment of our newest state section: WateReuse Ohio!

WateReuse member organizations based outside of Ohio, including consultants and non-profit institutions, can get involved in WateReuse Ohio’s local organizing, governance, and advocacy by adding a secondary membership for the state section for a small annual fee. Membership in WateReuse Ohio grants full voting and participation rights.* Section membership is an opportunity to connect with the new section’s founding utility members and help set the section’s priorities. To learn more, please contact Membership Director Erin Carr at ecarr@watereuse.org or (571) 445-5505.

*Institutional memberships include full participation, but no voting rights.

Welcome New WateReuse Member!

The WateReuse Association and WateReuse Texas welcome the Water Finance Exchange. Water Finance Exchange (WFX) is a trusted intermediary that works closely with federal and state stakeholders, communities, philanthropy, and the financial sector to address the water infrastructure funding shortage facing thousands of communities across the U.S. WFX’s mission is to help communities access funding, financing, and expertise to implement resilient, sustainable, and equitable water infrastructure solutions. WFX serves as a neutral partner for communities to provide support from project conception to implementation. WFX believes water infrastructure is more than just pipes and pumps but a cornerstone for healthy communities and economic development.

Water Finance Exchange

CA: Water Reuse Champion Melanie Mow Schumacher Appointed to Lead Soquel Creek Water District

The Soquel Creek Water District Board of Directors have unanimously selected Melanie Mow Schumacher to become the District’s next General Manager, effective on October 1 upon the retirement of the District’s current General Manager, Ron Duncan. Schumacher has guided the District through the planning, environmental study, funding, design, and construction of Pure Water Soquel, which is set to become operational later this year. Pure Water Soquel will purify recycled water to recharge the local aquifer, providing a new, safe, drought-proof water source as well as protection from saltwater intrusion. In 2023, she was recognized as Recycled Water Staff Person of the Year by WateReuse California.

CA: Sinking Canal Illustrates the Importance of Sustainable Groundwater Use

Fallout over the ever sinking Friant-Kern Canal in Tulare County, California, could affect growers throughout the Tule subbasin. Now, the Friant Water Authority is seeking help from California’s State Water Resources Control Board under the provisions of the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Groundwater subsidence is emerging as a key driver for water recycling projects including managed aquifer recharge across the United States.

HI: New Maui County Law Encourages Water Recycling

Maui County enacted new rules to promote the use of reclaimed and recycled water. “While I am confident in our Department of Environmental Management’s ongoing actions to increase the capacity to recycle and reuse wastewater, documenting our commitment through this law is important,” said Councilmember Gabe Johnson. The law will allow more customers to utilize recycled water. It also establishes a Maui County Water Use and Development Plan to guide the development of reclaimed water infrastructure and foster collaboration to use water more efficiently.

NV: Reno Approves $70 Million Bond for Water Recycling Project

Reno City Council members voted earlier this month to approve a $70 million bond to provide additional funding for the American Flat Advanced Purified Water Project. The project, first approved in 2022, is a partnership split 70/30 between the City of Reno and Truckee Meadows Water Authority. When completed, the project will help address a mounting effluent discharge challenge in the region and also generate a new resilient source of potable water.

UT: Pure SoJo Cuts Ribbon on Potable Reuse Demonstration

Last week, City of South Jordan hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and first taste testing opportunity at their Pure SoJo direct potable reuse demonstration facility. The facility recently received a permit from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to serve tastings of the water. WateReuse member Carollo Engineers supported the development of the demonstration facility. “This project, to recycle and purify reclaimed water to drinking water standards, has been many years in the making,” said South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey.

Photo courtesy of Eva Steinle-Darling, Carollo Engineers

Industry Perspective

Now Is the Time to Embrace Water Reuse and Recycling

Patrick Schultz, Sustainable Industries and Buildings CEO for WateReuse member Veolia, published a guest column for Water Online explaining the urgency for more water recycling in the U.S. industrial sector. “In the short term, facilities that invest in water reuse processes improve their operational flexibility, reduce water procurement costs, and increase capacity without straining local resources,” Schultz writes. “In the long term, water reuse can reduce or mitigate the risks associated with seasonal droughts, increased demand in water-scarce areas, and even the impacts of climate change.”

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

A Potable Reuse Primer

Check out our new webpage for all things potable reuse, including easy-to-use messages, information, and case-studies. WateReuse members can also access the Profile in Potable Reuse: a printable fact sheet explaining the safety, reliability, and technology of recycling water to drinking standards. Use this piece to talk to ratepayers, elected officials, colleagues, or any other stakeholder.

Learn More

WateReuse Events Calendar

2024 National Water Policy Fly-In

April 9, 2024 | Washington, DC

The WateReuse Association, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and The Water Research Foundation (WRF) are proud to present the cornerstone event for Water Week 2024 – the National Water Policy Fly-In.

Gather to hear insights from senior EPA and other government officials, as well as Members of Congress and key policy experts, as they discuss the federal legislative and regulatory outlook impacting the water sector during this critical election year. We encourage you to use this opportunity to schedule visits with your Congressional delegations or other policymakers here in the Nation’s Capital to add your voice to the collective and advocate on behalf of the clean water sector.

Onsite Water Reuse Summit

April 10 - 11, 2024 | Washington, DC

The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (NBRC) is partnering with WateReuse and the U.S. EPA to host a two-day Onsite Water Reuse Summit in Washington DC.

The Summit is a free, in-person event taking place over a day and a half. A fantastic lineup of presentations and panel discussions will explore the integration of science, policy, and operation for the safe and effective implementation of onsite water reuse systems.

Registration for the event is now closed. If you are still interested in participating, email harper.ashley@epa.gov to see if there is still space available.

WateReuse Florida 2024 Reuse Summit

May 22, 2024 | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
University of South Florida

Join WateReuse Florida for a day of presentations and networking to envision and advance the future of water recycling in the state. Interested sponsors should contact Amy Tracy.

2024 Oregon Summer Summit & Social

June 13, 2024 | Silverton, OR

The WateReuse Association Pacific Northwest (PNW) section, in partnership with the City of Silverton, is hosting its third annual Summer Summit and Social on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at The Oregon Garden. Join us for a day of technical education, policy discussions, and professional networking focused on the implementation of water reuse solutions in Oregon!

2024 WateReuse Arizona Symposium

July 28-30, 2024 | Flagstaff, AZ

The annual Arizona Symposium is hosted by the AZ Water Association and the Arizona section of WateReuse and brings together industry leaders in water reuse for education, conversation, and networking in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Symposium included a tour, a networking reception and water balloon fight, plenary sessions, and technical tracks.

Learn More

2024 WateReuse Texas Conference

September 9-11, 2024 | Austin, TX

The WateReuse Texas Annual Conference includes three exciting days of programming including tours, networking, plenaries, and workshops. A call for abstracts will be published in March!

Learn More

2024 WateReuse California Conference

September 15-17, 2024, 2024 | Garden Grove, CA

Save the date! The WateReuse California Annual Conference welcomes over 700 water professionals for three days of networking, technical sessions, and panels on the most pressing water reuse issues in the state. The conference includes the Annual California Reuse Awards of Excellence ceremony and much more.

2024 Industrial Water Reuse Conference

November 19-21, 2024 | Indian Wells, CA

The engines of industry, from Fortune 500 companies to local businesses, are traveling down The Road to Water Positivity. The 2024 Industrial Reuse Conference is your ticket to ride. Save the date!

Learn More

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