December 9, 2024

Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced last week that they had reached an agreement on the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, a bill largely focused on authorizing projects administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The conference agreement includes language, championed by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA), authorizing the Army Corps to utilize its water supply-related authorities “to give full consideration of water supply projects, water conservation measures, and drought resiliency measures at, or in operating, water resource projects.” While the agreement falls short of directing the addition of water supply as a primary mission of the Army Corps, as had been proposed by Congresswoman Napolitano and supported by the WateReuse Association, the addition of water supply-related language will expand opportunities to integrate water recycling into Army Corps projects.

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized modifications to its review process for new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals. The changes are intended to strengthen the Agency’s safety review of new PFAS and PBT chemicals before they are manufactured. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA reviews the potential risks of new chemicals before they enter U.S. commerce and, when necessary, puts safeguards in place to protect human health and the environment. Among the changes included in the final rule, EPA is declaring new PFAS ineligible for low-volume and low-exposure exemptions, which had previously allowed these and other chemicals to undergo an expedited safety review.

December 20 deadline

The House and Senate are currently debating whether and to what extent to fund key programs like the Title XVI Water Reuse Grants Program and the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants in a final FY25 Appropriations package. We need your help to ensure that Congress fully funds critical water recycling programs!

Two WateReuse Association members, City of Chandler and Intel, cut the ribbon on a new Reclaimed Water Interconnect Facility in late November. The project was funded by a 50% cost share: Intel will use part of the recycled water supply to cool two new microchip fabs at its Ocotillo campus. Chandler will use the rest to recharge the local aquifer. “I am grateful and appreciative for the foresight, the innovation that our city leaders, that our people on the ground, continue to show that help position us to be able to be a city that says we not only have a 100-year water supply,” said Chandler’s mayor Kevin Hartke.

WateReuse Florida convened last Thursday for the section’s Annual Meeting. The meeting included a review of 2024 activities, the election of a new slate for the section’s board of trustees, an update on strategic planning efforts. Participants also heard technical presentations and panels from WateReuse Florida members on topics including resilience and innovative integrated water resource projects. WateReuse Florida’s leadership is serving an integral role in preparing for the 40^th Annual WateReuse Symposium, March 16-19 in Tampa, Florida.

Contact us at info@watereuse.org