WateReuse News: WaterSMART Funding, Water Reuse for Pharmaceutical Removal, and more

News from the Leading Advocate for Water Reuse

August 26, 2024

Final Call for Section Conferences

In September, three WateReuse sections will convene to celebrate successes, share resources, and create new opportunities for water reuse. Don’t miss the following deadlines to participate!

California: Hotel Block Closes Today!

The WateReuse California Annual Conference takes place September 15-17 in Garden Grove, CA. Discount rates for the Hyatt Regency Orange County expire today.

Book Your Room & Register Today

Texas: Register by September 6

WateReuse Texas is hosting its conference, One Water: The Wave of the Future, on September 9-11 in Austin, TX. Online registration for the conference ends Friday, September 6.

PNW: Attend Sept. 8 Happy Hour!

Register today for the PNCWA Annual Conference, September 8-11 in Boise, Idaho. Join WateReuse Pacific Northwest for a Sunday Happy Hour, treatment plant tours on Monday and Tuesday, and a Communications Workshop on Wednesday.

Global Industrial Reuse Champions Award Nominations Closing August 31!

The Global Industrial Reuse Champions Award honors Fortune 1000 companies that have prioritized and found successful and impactful ways of incorporating water recycling and water stewardship into their business models. The deadline to submit award nominations is this Saturday, August 31, 2024!

Submit an Award Nomination

Washington Update

Bureau of Reclamation Releases Notice of Funding Opportunity for WaterSMART Drought Response Program

Last week, the Department of the Interior announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the WaterSMART Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects for 2025. Eligible projects under this funding opportunity include activities such as groundwater recharge and stormwater capture and reuse systems. While groundwater recharge and water reuse projects are eligible under this NOFO, there are restrictions that apply. Water reuse projects that have completed and approved feasibility studies under WIIN Act Title XVI and projects with costs that exceed $20 million are not eligible under this NOFO. The award ceiling is $10 million and the floor is $25,000, with the potential to fund between 20-40 projects in total. Drought resiliency projects have two funding groups, with the first being funded up to $750,000 per agreement and the second up to $3 million per agreement. Domestic water supply projects may be funded up to $10 million per agreement. Applications for this cooperative agreement must be submitted by October 7 at 6pm ET.

Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity

Reminder: WaterSMART Application Deadlines Rapidly Approaching!

Title XVI WIIN

Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

Apply

Title XVI Congressionally Authorized

Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

Apply

WIIN Act Desalination Construction Projects

Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

Apply

Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects
(See more information above)

Application Deadline of October 7, 2024

Apply

Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects

Application Deadline of November 26, 2024

Apply

US EPA Brief Shows Water Recyclers Ahead of the Curve on Pharmaceutical Removal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a report earlier this month outlining various technologies for wastewater treatment to remove pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PCPPs). Many of the technologies highlighted are standard components of our members’ water recycling systems. The report notes that “the advanced technologies needed to treat wastewater for potable reuse have the co-benefit of removing PCPPs.” These technologies and processes include adsorption (e.g. granular and power activated carbon), oxidation (e.g. ozonation, chlorination, photolysis), membrane technologies (e.g. reverse osmosis, membrane bioreactors), and nature-based solutions (e.g. constructed wetlands). This report sheds light on yet another set of co-benefits that come along with implementing water reuse technologies and processes.

Read the Technology Brief

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New WateReuse Member!

The WateReuse Association and WateReuse Mid-Atlantic welcome Caloris Engineering. Caloris incorporates membrane filtration and evaporation technology into custom process solutions to recycled water and help customers meet their production and sustainability goals. From food product evaporation, where the condensed water vapors are polished by membranes to meet Category 1 standards, to general plant effluent systems that generate clean utility water sources, Caloris has a history of dealing with challenging reuse opportunities. Founded in 2006, Caloris helps new facilities get off the ground and assesses existing plants for opportunities to recover resources.

Caloris Engineering

CA: Orange County Breaks Record for Groundwater Recharge

Last week, WateReuse member Orange County Water District (OCWD) announced a record-breaking accomplishment in groundwater recharge for fiscal year 2023-24: more than 90 billion gallons of water have been put back into the ground to further increase Orange County’s drinking water supply. "Achieving this milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire staff, particularly our recharge operators in Anaheim," said OCWD President Cathy Green. The sources of the water used for recharge include purified water from OCWD’s Groundwater Replenishment System as well as water from the Santa Ana River and local stormwater.

CA: City of Los Angeles Recycled Water Fill Stations Reopen to the Public

WateReuse member Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) opened the first of several City of Los Angeles Recycled Water Fill Stations last week. The fill station, located outside the Los Angeles Zoo, provides non-potable recycled water for landscaping purposes, such as maintaining trees, shrubs, gardens, and lawns. In 2022, LADWP supplied 150,000 gallons of free recycled water to over 1,300 L.A. customers as part of the Recycled Water Fill Stations program.

TX: Texas Monthly Spotlights El Paso Reuse

The August edition of Texas Monthly Magazine published a spotlight on WateReuse member City of El Paso and their water reuse efforts. The article highlights El Paso’s planned Direct Potable Reuse project with a projected completion in 2027 and calls the city’s approach “a glimpse of the future.”

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

U.S. Market Analysis for Water Recycling

The growth of water reuse technologies and products provides utilities with an option for local, sustainable water supply, and creates opportunities for businesses to help implement these innovative solutions. WateReuse Association published a comprehensive U.S. Market Analysis for Water Recycling examining the expected growth of water recycling in the municipal and industrial sectors in different geographic regions across the U.S. The reports are available to WateReuse Association members. Check to see if your organization is a member and create your account today to explore all six reports!

View the Reports

WateReuse Events Calendar

Webcast: Digital and Physical Twins to Advance Water Reuse Operations

Wednesday, August 28, 2024
1:30 pm ET | 10:30 am PT

WateReuse Association and the National Alliance for Water Innovation are proud to co-present a webcast presenting the progress of a NAWI research project: Process Twins for Decision-Support and Dynamic Energy Cost Prediction in Water Reuse Processes. Hear from presenters Dr. Diego Rosso, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and chemical engineer Dr. Nader Razei. WateReuse and NAWI have also partnered to produce an in-depth blog on the research project.

Read the Blog & Register for Webcast

Water Reuse at PNCWA

September 8-11, 2024 | Boise, ID

The 90th Annual Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Conference and Exhibition will feature a special track arranged by WateReuse Pacific Northwest, and the WateReuse Pacific Northwest Awards for Excellence.

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.

2024 WateReuse California Conference

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

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 and Commercial Water Reuse Conference

November 19-21, 2024 | Indian Wells, CA

The engines of industry, from Fortune 1000 companies to local businesses, are traveling down The Road to Water Positivity. The 2024 Industrial Reuse Conference is your ticket to ride. Panel discussions, breakout roundtables, and three keynote presenters will examine how water reuse can help businesses ensure operational resiliency and meet water management goals.

2025 WateReuse Symposium

March 16-19, 2025 | Tampa, Florida

The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the premier conference on water recycling — attracting water professionals and water reuse practitioners globally for knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration. This year's theme, Turning the Tide Toward Water Reuse, explores the latest trends, regional challenges, and forward-thinking ideas that are driving growth in water recycling. 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the WateReuse Symposium!

Learn More

Unsubscribe from WateReuse Review, Staff, Board of Directors -- Association

Opt out of all WateReuse email

610 Madison Street, Suite 101
Box 621
Alexandria, VA 22314
United States