WateReuse News: Earth Day, PFAS CERCLA Ruling, and more

News from the Leading Advocate for Water Reuse

April 22, 2024

Happy Earth Day from WateReuse Association!

In addition to ensuring a safe, reliable, locally controlled water supply, water reuse can provide tremendous benefit to the environment and mitigates impacts associated with climate change.

How can water reuse improve our aquifers, sensitive ecosystems, impaired water bodies, and energy consumption? This Earth Day, check out our primer on these valuable environmental co-benefits of water reuse!

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Washington Update

U.S. EPA Designates Two PFAS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances

Last Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final rule for designating perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). As expected, the final rule does not include a PFAS CERLCA liability exemption for water, wastewater, and water recycling utilities, leaving utilities vulnerable to third party litigation. While the final rule does not include a liability exemption for utilities, EPA did note in its enforcement discretion policy that it will focus enforcement actions on manufacturers of PFAS, not passive receivers. WateReuse will be working on a more robust analysis of the rule and its corresponding documents in the coming days. We will also continue our work to enact legislation to establish a PFAS CERCLA liability shield for utilities conducting water recycling activities.

Bureau of Reclamation Awards Funds to WateReuse Member Texas State University

Under the Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program, WateReuse member Texas State University was recently awarded $250,000 for its pilot project on Photobioreactor Development for Scalant Removal and Enhanced Water Recovery from Brackish Reverse Osmosis Concentrate. Texas State University’s project was one of eight selected from amongst 80 applications. The award will cover more than half of the total project cost.

USDA Opens Regional Conservation Partnership Program NOFOs for FY24

Earlier this month, the Natural Resources Conservation Service opened its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements Notice of Funding Opportunities, which will remain open until July 2, 2024. These programs will make $1.5 billion available in FY 2024, with an award ceiling of $25 million and floor of $250,000. RCPP projects can target a range of resource concerns, including water quality and water supply. Water delivery authorities, water and irrigation districts, and municipal water and wastewater treatment entities, are all eligible partners under RCPP. For more information, see the NOFOs or attend USDA’s upcoming (identical) webinars for prospective RCPP applicants on April 23 and May 30, both from 2pm – 4pm ET.

Safe Drinking Water Act 50th Anniversary: The Future Includes Recycled Water

As part of the 2024 celebration of the Safe Drinking Water Act’s 50^th Anniversary, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) held a webcast panel conversation. Moderator Alan Roberson from ASDWA spoke with Joe Cotruvo, the first director of EPA’s Drinking Water Standards Division, Joe Harrison, the First Drinking Water Branch Chief of EPA’s Region 5, Wade Miller, the first Executive Director of ASDWA, and Dave Schnare, the former acting EPA Associate Deputy Administrator. The conversation had a strong focus on supporting small community water systems: a major driver for the original Safe Drinking Water Act and a continued challenge today. Reflecting on what has changed today, a speaker noted that while water recycling isn’t explicitly addressed in the Safe Drinking Water Act, it represents one of the major opportunities for America’s water future.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New WateReuse Member!

The WateReuse Association and WateReuse Texas welcome Maverick Water Group. Established in 2018 as a water infrastructure and asset management company, Maverick's mission is to create economic and sustainable outcomes through effective water stewardship. Maverick specializes in building and operating large-volume non-potable water systems, installing smart projects, providing capital for infrastructure, and identifying projects that promote environmental and economic benefits for all parties.

Maverick Water Group

CA: Metropolitan Water District Commits $250 Million to Support Water Reuse and Supply

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) plans to spend up to $250 million on four non-traditional water projects that, combined, could supply up to 100,000 Southern California households over the next few years. The projects funded through MWD’s Local Resources Program will include the following major efforts by WateReuse members:

$139 million for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s recycled water groundwater replenishment project in the San Fernando Valley.
$42.5 million for the Las Virgenes-Trinunfo Pure Water Project.
$26.4 million for Eastern Municipal Water District’s Perris North Basin groundwater project.

Industry Perspectives

Perspective: Advancing Water Reuse in The U.S.

Rob McCandless, former WateReuse Association board member and North American Water Reuse Treatment Lead at Stantec, penned a perspective for Water Online last week describing the state of potable reuse in the United States, the status of state-level regulations, and the future of reuse. Following Colorado and California’s Direct Potable Reuse regulations, McCandless says that Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) is making quick progress on a similar rule, with a potential completion in 2024 or early 2025. McCandless also identifies two key challenges going forward: scaling potable reuse solutions for small communities and managing brine for inland reuse facilities.

Partner Opportunities

Apply to Reverse Pitch Your Water Technology Needs!

Friday, June 14 | Orange County, CA
Deadline to Reverse Pitch: April 30

WateReuse is a partner for watercitizen.org's upcoming WaterPitch! Water Startup Matching Extravaganza™ to be held in Orange County on Friday, June 14 in conjunction with AWWA's ACE24 conference. This event provides facilitated matching opportunities for water industry startups that are developing and commercializing a wide range of products and innovations. The program includes sessions for water utilities, industrial clients, and equipment manufacturers to “reverse pitch.” Participants will deliver 5-minute presentations on their greatest water challenge, solutions sought, and how startups can work with their organization. Connect with a room filled with innovators, technologists, and practical problem solvers. The deadline for utilities, industrial water users, and manufacturers to register your interest in a reverse pitch is Tuesday, April 30.

Apply Today

WateReuse Events Calendar

WateReuse Florida 2024 Reuse Summit: Preserving Water’s Timelessness

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. Student research presentations were a highlight last year and are making a return! 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.

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. Submit an abstract today!

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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!

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Save the Date: 2025 WateReuse Symposium

JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Tampa, Florida
March 16-19, 2025

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