Industrial Reuse in Ohio, Potomac River Alternatives, and more

News from the Leading Advocate for Water Reuse

October 21, 2024

2024 Industrial Reuse Conference

Spotlight: Leveraging Partnerships to Accelerate Industrial Water Reuse in Ohio

Industrial water reuse is a hot topic in Ohio! As companies make new investments in American technology, manufacturing, and jobs, private and public sector leaders in the state are partnering to ensure that local water resources are protected and enhanced through water reuse.

You'll hear from this impressive panel when you attend the 2024 Industrial Water Reuse Conference, November 19-21 in Indian Wells, California!

Moderator: Krystal Perez, Industrial Water National Practice Leader, Brown and Caldwell

Panelists:

Anthony Giovannone, Manager of Infrastructure Strategy, Google
John Newsome, Division of Water, Administrator, City of Columbus
Mahjabeen Qadir, Strategy Lead, American Honda Motor Company, Inc.
Will Hewes, Global Lead, Water Sustainability, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Tiffani Kavalec, Policy Director, Director's Office, Ohio EPA

Washington Update

Final Push: Engage Your Congressional Delegation to Fund Water Reuse Priorities

December 20 deadline

This summer, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees began passing their FY 2025 funding bills for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Bureau of Reclamation. House and Senate appropriators are reviewing their two different versions of the legislation and are racing to make final decisions before their upcoming December 20 deadline to pass appropriations legislation. We need your help to ensure that Congress fully funds critical water recycling programs!

Take Action Today

WateReuse Delivers Letters Supporting PFAS Liability Protection for Utilities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule in April designating two per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund law. Since then, Congress has failed to take action to ensure that manufacturers – rather than passive receivers – of PFAS are held accountable for PFAS pollution. Last week, WateReuse reiterated its support for a “polluter pays” approach to PFAS control and remediation by delivering a letter urging the House of Representatives to support the enactment of a PFAS CERCLA liability shield for water, wastewater, and water recycling utilities. Specifically, we urged the House Energy and Commerce Committee to consider and pass the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, which was introduced by Representatives John Curtis (R-UT) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA). The bill mirrors legislation introduced in the Senate by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and would ensure that utilities can protect their communities and the environment without being pulled into CERCLA-related lawsuits for pollution that they did not create.

Read the letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee here.

Read the letter to Representatives Curtis and Gluesenkamp Perez here.

Bureau of Reclamation Funds Water Reuse Research through Science and Technology Innovation Program

Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation announced $4.2 million in awards for 31 science and technology research projects that aim to improve water infrastructure, solve power and energy challenges, address environmental issues for water delivery and management, improve water operations and planning, and develop new water supplies. The $4.2 million resulted in the leveraging of an additional $11.2 million in matching funds. Reclamation is awarding a first-year grant of $105,000 for a project that will conduct a bench-scale comparison of reverse osmosis and carbon-based treatment for implementing direct potable reuse (DPR). The research is intended to inform Arizona’s development of its DPR regulation. Another project will test novel approaches to reducing energy consumption and removing organics and contaminants of emerging concern during the production of potable recycled water. The project will receive $140,400 in the first year.

View the Awards

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New WateReuse Member!

The WateReuse Association and WateReuse Ohio welcome The Ohio Water Resources Center (WRC). The WRC is the federally authorized and state-designated Water Resources Research Institute for the State of Ohio. Their mission is to enable and conduct state-relevant water-related research; foster collaboration among academic investigators, governmental bodies, and water professionals; train the next generation of water scientists; and educate the public on water resources issues in Ohio. Over the past decade, they have provided research funding for over 50 water-related projects. Within the State of Ohio, the WRC has a unique and important role in fostering the development of water resources expertise. The majority of students supported by the Ohio WRC continue in water-related fields.

Ohio Water Resources Center

Championing Equitable Infrastructure with HDR’s Victoria Johnson

Last week, Harvard University’s Bloomberg Center for Cities published an article highlighting the work of WateReuse member Victoria Johnson (HDR Engineering) in championing equitable infrastructure projects. Johnson highlights two important aspects of equity in infrastructure: first, that projects and maintenance efforts improve conditions for communities in need, and second, that new infrastructure investments create equitable workforce opportunities. “The intersection of planning, design, engineering, construction and operations allows opportunities to engage local residents and minority and women-owned businesses in contracting and workforce development to fill critical needs in infrastructure,” says Johnson.

CA: WateReuse California Joins Letter Advocating Permitting Reform

WateReuse California joined the Southern California Water Coalition in submitting a letter to California’s Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform. The letter highlights the critical importance of including water supply development, treatment, and distribution in the state’s current discussions surrounding permitting reform. This inclusion is essential for advancing California’s resilience against climate change and maintaining the state’s water supply infrastructure. With the challenges posed by population growth and the increasing impacts of climate change, water and wastewater providers have spent decades planning and implementing solutions to secure water supplies and manage flood risks. These efforts include improving storage, conveyance, and alternative water supplies like desalination and recycled water. However, the current permitting process often creates delays that prevent the timely implementation of these vital projects.

DC: U.S. Army Corps Studies Potomac River Alternatives Including Reuse

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun work on a three-year feasibility study on bolstering the water supply resilience of DC and its suburbs. The Washington Aqueduct, operated by the Army Corps, processes drinking water for WateReuse member DC Water as well as some Virginia suburbs, and relies exclusively on the Potomac River. That means DC would be left with only a one- or two-day supply of drinking water if the river became contaminated or otherwise unavailable. Water reuse is among the possible solutions to diversify water supplies. “We’re going to be open-minded, and look at a range of options, and short term and long term solutions,” Amy Guise, chief of the planning division for the Army Corps’ Baltimore District, “Are there other sources, are there ways to provide interconnections, are there ways to reuse water?”

Industry News

WaterWorld Spotlights WateReuse for Imagine a Day Without Water

Last Thursday was the annual observance of “Imagine a Day Without Water.” WaterWorld’s Mandy Crispin marked the day by interviewing Rosario Cortés, Manager of Regulatory Affairs for WateReuse California, and Ifetayo Venner, Senior Vice President for WateReuse member Arcadis. “I came from a culture of water sustainability and stewardship,” said Cortés, “My parents came from remote parts of Oaxaca … it’s not just water availability, but water quality. You had to boil your water.” Venner also shared about her experiences with unreliable water supply and water quality growing up in the Caribbean. Discussing solutions to our water challenges, Venner celebrated the trend of “a lot more industries considering water reuse, even in areas where you don’t necessarily think are water scarce.”

Participate in the $119M XPRIZE Water

Imagine a world where clean water is equitably and sustainably abundant, enabling people and the environment to prosper. XPRIZE Water Scarcity is a $119 million, 5-year prize designed to drive innovation in desalination and membrane technology. Competing teams will develop new technologies to help drive a world where clean water is equitably and sustainably abundant, and enabling people and the environment to prosper.

Learn More

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

Events Coordinator: Join the WateReuse Team!

WateReuse Association is hiring for an Events Coordinator to support logistical arrangements and planning for the Annual WateReuse Symposium, state section meetings, and other periodic meetings, events, and workshops. The ideal candidate will have excellent customer service skills and experience working in meetings and events. This hybrid position requires two days per week in our Alexandria, Virginia office, and requires some travel.

Apply Here

WateReuse Events Calendar

Webcast: Leveraging Industrial Reuse Opportunities for Mutual Benefit

Tuesday, October 22, 2024
2:00 pm ET | 11:00 am PT
Free to WateReuse Members

Industrial water demands are increasing throughout the US with data centers and semiconductor manufacturing at the forefront. While these industries present great economic growth opportunities, they have substantial water needs that haven’t always been planned for by the communities where they operate. In many US communities, conventional drinking water supplies are not sufficient to meet these rising demands. Both municipalities and industry must work to ensure all parties have safe and sustainable water supplies. This webcast will highlight water reuse opportunities that are available to industry, the potential for water conservation through industrial reuse, and common pitfalls and challenges associated with industrial water reuse adaptation. It will also highlight some ways that communities and utilities can incentivize industries to implement reuse projects.

Sponsored by Arcadis

Webcast: A Reuse Roadmap for Industrial Areas in Central Ohio

October 31, 2024
10:00 am ET | 7:00 am PT
Free to WateReuse Members

This webcast will explore water reuse opportunities in Ohio, a traditionally water-abundant state driven by explosive industrial development and subsequent rising water demands. We will present a roadmapping approach used to evaluate recycled water options for industrial areas.

Presented by WateReuse Ohio

Webcast: Exploring Water Reuse Practices and Approaches in the Northeast

November 7, 2024
2:00 pm ET | 11:00 am PT
Free to WateReuse Members

Water is abundant and droughts are rare in the Northeast United States, so what are the region’s drivers for water recycling? Coastal flooding, sewer overflow, and outdated infrastructure just to name a few. Learn about the history, practices, and challenges of water reuse in the Northeast, including three case studies of successful water recycling projects in the area. The webcast will conclude with a presentation from Seatuck Environmental Association and IMEG – two organizations that were instrumental in crafting & advocating for the Long Island Water Reuse Roadmap & Action Plan. This roadmap is one of the first strategic water reuse plans passed in New England.

Co-hosted with the New England Water Environment Association

South Carolina: Empowering Community Engagement in Water Reuse Projects

November 12, 2024 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
West Columbia, South Carolina

Water recycling is common in desert states, but newly growing as a solution in South Carolina. As the regulatory and policy landscape unfolds, how do we gain support across South Carolina for beneficially reusing water in a water-rich area? This workshop will present relevant research on communicating about water reuse and develop a framework and best practices for engaging community groups on water reuse projects, specific to the South Carolina context.

Co-presented by WateReuse South Carolina, Water Research Foundation, SCAWWA, & WEASC.

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 Nevada Symposium

January 27, 2025 | Reno, Nevada

Save the Date: join WateReuse Nevada for the annual Nevada Symposium, taking place in Northern Nevada.

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!

Water Week 2025

April 5-12, 2025

Water Week is a week of federal advocacy for water and wastewater infrastructure.

National Water Policy Fly-In | April 8-9, 2025
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), The Water Environment Federation (WEF), the Water Research Foundation (WRF), the WateReuse Association, and the Association of Metropolitan Water are proud to present the cornerstone event during Water Week – the National Water Policy Fly-In.

Learn More

Save the Date: 2025 WateReuse Colorado Conference

May 5, 2025 | Denver, CO
Colorado State University SPUR Campus

Implementing Reuse: Opportunities, Challenges, and Innovation: Join us to discuss ongoing and emerging reuse topics at the 2025 WateReuse Colorado Conference! This year’s theme is “implementing reuse” which will focus on reuse opportunities, challenges, and innovation in Colorado and across the country. Water reuse professionals will unite to share their latest research, innovation, and experiences. WRCO is pleased to conduct this event at the beautiful Denver CSU SPUR campus. So be sure to mark your calendar! This conference presents a great opportunity to network, learn, and engage in discussion with local water reuse experts, while enjoying the beautiful SPUR campus.

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