September 23, 2024

The WateReuse Association last week co-hosted a congressional briefing advocating the importance of liability protection for passive receivers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The briefing was held in the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room. Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule designating two PFAS—PFOS and PFOA—as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The final rule does not establish a PFAS CERCLA liability shield for water, wastewater, and water recycling utilities. Instead, EPA concurrently released a PFAS Enforcement Discretion and Settlement Policy that emphasizes that the Agency does not intend to take enforcement actions against passive receivers of PFAS. During last week’s briefing, panelists echoed the WateReuse Association’s argument that EPA’s enforcement discretion is subject to change, and that it will not protect passive receivers from third-party lawsuits. WateReuse continues to work with our partners and members to enact legislation to ensure that polluters – rather than water, wastewater, and water recycling utilities – are held liable for PFAS contamination under CERCLA.

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are currently deciding whether – and to what extent – key water reuse programs should be funded in FY 2025. Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have passed their respective versions of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which includes funding for the Title XVI Water Reuse Grants Program as well as other programs administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. While the House bill protects funding for the Title XVI program, the Senate bill cuts the program’s funding by 33 percent. Last week, WateReuse delivered a letter from 91 entities—including national organizations and companies as well as communities from across 12 states—urging Congress to reject the proposed cut and ensure robust funding for the Title XVI program in final FY 2025 funding legislation.

Do you need funding for your water recycling program? Please note the following application deadlines for federal programs.

Title XVI WIIN
Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

Title XVI Congressionally Authorized
Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

WIIN Act Desalination Construction Projects
Application Deadline of September 30, 2024

Drought Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects
Application Deadline of October 7, 2024

Desalination and Water Purification Research Grants
Application Deadline of November 13, 2024

Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects
Application Deadline of November 26, 2024

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted last week to advance Rep. Scott Peters’ bipartisan Ocean Pollution Reduction Act II. The legislation would simplify WateReuse member City of San Diego’s permitting process to operate the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will allow the city to move forward with its Pure Water San Diego project. The program will supply half of San Diego’s drinking water by 2035 and help solidify the region’s water security amidst worsening conditions on the Colorado River.

Last week, the 2024 WateReuse California Conference boasted its largest annual attendance ever, with 803 registered participants. Over 160 speakers participated in 87 technical sessions and 9 panels, covering a wide range of water reuse topics. Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) enjoyed a spotlight across many of the panels and presentations, as the conference took place just two weeks before the state’s newly approved DPR regulations go into effect at the beginning of October. WateReuse California’s many expert volunteers were key to the success of the conference. The Annual WateReuse California Conference will convene again next year, September 7-9, 2025 in San Diego, CA.

Several members of WateReuse Texas’ (WRTX) board of trustees and distinguished volunteers joined together to pen an article in the most recent issue of OpFlow, American Water Works Association’s magazine for treatment plant operators. The article advocates the importance of increasing water and wastewater treatment plant operators’ familiarity with water reuse, including its ever-expanding adoption and practicality. The article’s Authors include WRTX President Christina Montoya-Halter (EP Water), Research Committee Chair Keisuke Ikehata (Texas State University), and Trustee Hunter Adams (City of Wichita Falls), along with longtime WRTX volunteers Mark Southard (City of Wichita Falls), Steve Ash (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service), Eva Steinle Darling (Carollo Engineers) and Daniel Nix (Texas Section, AWWA).

WateReuse Connect is a member-to-member network of more than 9,000 water recycling practitioners, business leaders, regulators, academics, and technology providers. This week’s question comes from Chris Wanner with WateReuse member Arcadis. Chris notes that in his community of Portland, Oregon, the city recently waived System Development Charges for a local project employing water reuse. Chris asks: “Does anyone know of what incentives other cities have or are considering for any form of reuse, particularly industrial reuse?” Keep the conversation going by sharing your expertise!

Contact us at info@watereuse.org