May 5, 2025

Join us at Industrial Water Solutions in Columbus, Ohio from September 23-25 to explore critical aspects of industrial water management.

A plenary panel scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 will highlight the latest technological advancements in industrial water treatment, showcasing cutting-edge advancements from biological solutions to AI-powered optimization. The panel will feature experts Peter Fiske of the National Alliance for Water Innovation, Ryan James of Battelle, and Heather Jennings of Huma Environmental.

On Wednesday, June 25, our plenary panel will cover key policy developments, regulatory challenges, and strategies for ensuring reliable and cost-effective water solutions, featuring experts Tom Iseman of Veolia, Erica Spitzig of Taft Stettinius & Hollister, and Sharon Waller of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

Late last week, the President released initial details regarding his FY 2026 Budget Request, which Congress will consider as it puts together FY 2026 appropriations legislation. While the initial budget does not detail specific funding levels for many programs, it does propose the near elimination of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Programs, reducing total funding for the programs to $305 million from more than $2.7 billion. In justifying the proposed cut, the Administration argues that the SRFs were not designed to receive continued appropriations, that “states should be responsible for funding their own water infrastructure projects,” that congressional earmarks have undermined state control, and that the SRFs are duplicative of programs like the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Program. The Budget also proposes a $609 million reduction to the Bureau of Reclamation “for programs that have nothing to do with building and maintaining water infrastructure, such as habitat restoration.” Once budget details are released, we will report on which programs are proposed for cuts or elimination. WateReuse is working with Congress to ensure that water reuse programs are protected and enhanced in FY 2026 appropriations legislation.

In a press release on Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will reorganize portions of the Agency by eliminating or shifting certain functions, creating several new offices that will focus on streamlining permitting, supporting states, and advancing core missions. It is not clear to what extent the reorganization ties into EPA’s ongoing “reduction-in-force” planning. While not included in last week’s release, EPA leadership has informed staff that the Agency will eliminate the Office of Water’s Office of Science and Technology (OST). Functions of OST—including the water reuse program—will be rolled into the Office of Wastewater Management. In a video accompanying EPA’s press release on the reorganization, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said that the Agency will be “elevating water reuse and conservation to ensure that they are receiving appropriate resources […]” It is our understanding that the water reuse program and team will become part of a new Water Reuse and Conservation branch within the Office of Wastewater Management. We are encouraged by the Administrator’s commitment to elevate water reuse and look forward to continuing to work with the EPA.

EPA also announced that it will “shift its scientific expertise and research efforts to program offices to tackle statutory obligations and mission essential functions.” Several media outlets previously reported that EPA planned to shutter its Office of Research and Development (ORD) and move research functions into other offices; however, EPA did not explicitly speak to the future of ORD in last week’s release. While shifting research functions into other EPA offices may yield benefits, WateReuse remains concerned about the potential impacts to important research programs and the cancellation of reuse-related grants (see next story). We will continue to monitor the Agency’s reorganization and reductions in force and will engage where there are implications for water reuse.

Late last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the termination of research grants across nine different programs, including the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) awards. More than 100 active grants totaling $124 million have been cancelled. The STAR grant program and other EPA research programs, such as the National Priorities research program, have funded numerous projects related to water reuse. The WateReuse Association is deeply concerned about the cancellation of several grants for active water reuse research projects. We are making the case to the Administration that cutting these funds undermines EPA’s stated objectives related to reuse. Continued research is essential to ensure that water reuse systems remain innovative, safe, and efficient.

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a set of actions, some more concrete than others, to address per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The list of actions reads as an update to the first-term Trump Administration’s PFAS Action Plan. The list includes the designation of a PFAS lead within the Agency, more frequent updates to EPA’s PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance, and the implementation of a PFAS testing strategy under the Toxic Substances Control Act. It also includes the establishment of effluent limitation guidelines for PFAS, which set discharge limits for industrial entities. The Trump Administration withdrew the Biden Administration’s proposed PFAS ELGs shortly after coming into office. As part of the announcement, EPA committed to “engaging with Congress and industry to establish a clear liability framework that ensures the polluter pays and passive receivers are protected,” an effort that WateReuse has been helping to lead along with our association partners. The Agency also committed to addressing the “most significant compliance challenges” related to the PFAS Drinking Water Standard, but included no detail regarding how it would do so.

Contact us at info@watereuse.org