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July 7, 2025

2026 WateReuse Symposium: One Month Left to Submit a Presentation!

The deadline for submitting abstracts and workshop proposals for our 41st annual Symposium is August 11!

We're looking for presentation proposals on all things water reuse – from best practices and innovations to emerging research and more. This year, we’re also accepting proposals for interactive workshops that address water reuse fundamentals; research, innovation, and technology; or water reuse solutions.

This is your opportunity to spark conversations, inspire collaboration, and drive new solutions for water recycling globally.

Submit a Presentation or Workshop
Washington Update
WIFIA Program Milestone Achievement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program has achieved $10 billion in loan disbursements across 97 borrowers since its launch in 2019. Over the life of the program, this important financing tool has funded more than $3.5 billion in water reuse projects. To help current and prospective borrowers, the WIFIA program team also recently turned the WIFIA Borrower Guide into a navigable, up to date webpage that outlines federal requirements for borrowers, making it easier to apply into the program. WIFIA funding remains available for application on a rolling basis. The program team will be hosting upcoming office hours on Wednesday, July 9 and Wednesday, August 13 from 3pm – 4pm ET.  

Congress Enacts Mega Tax Package

Shortly before breaking for the July 4th recess, the U.S. House of Representatives enacted the U.S. Senate-passed reconciliation package, sending the legislation to the President for his signature. The package extends trillions of dollars of tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as well as enacting President Trump’s top tax-related priorities. The final vote took place on the morning of July 3 after House leadership spent all night securing sufficient votes. By and large, the reconciliation package does not include new tax provisions being championed by individual Members of Congress, nor does it cut federal spending to the extent desired by more fiscally conservative Members. As a result, some congressional leaders are already talking about pursuing a second reconciliation package later this year. As Congress considers future tax packages, WateReuse will continue to advocate for a federal investment tax credit to help scale up the use of recycled water by manufacturers, data centers, and other industrial entities.

View the Tax and Spending Package Here
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New WateReuse Member!

WateReuse Association welcomes The Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania! The Water Center at Penn addresses water equity, community climate resistance, and water leadership, supporting the sustainability of urban water systems through applied collaborative research. Its eight research areas include water infrastructure, community capacity building and equity, drinking water treatment and source protection, and more. The Water Center at Penn partners with the WateReuse Association on the Global Industrial Water Reuse Champion initiative and supports research on water reuse through its Corporate Roundtable program. 

The Water Center at Penn
TX: Tom Kunetz to Deliver Keynote at WateReuse Texas’ 20th Anniversary Conference

Tom Kunetz, long-time water professional and distinguished comedian, will deliver the keynote presentation at the 2025 WateReuse Texas Conference. Tom is past president of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), a WEF fellow, and previous Assistant Director of Engineering at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, one of the largest wastewater utilities in the United States. In his other life, Tom is a comic actor, playwright, and taught at the legendary Second City Theater in Chicago for 20 years. His presentation will bring these two worlds together in one inspiring and funny presentation and will be the perfect lead into the WRTX2025 experience.  

Early Bird registration ends July 31, so make sure to register today to secure the best rate! 

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CA: Cal Water Expands Service Area with New San Bernardino Recycled Water Systems 

Last month, WateReuse member California Water Service Company (Cal Water) announced that it will own and operate wastewater and recycled water systems of Silverwood, a mixed-use community under construction in San Bernardino County. Upon completion of the community’s new wastewater treatment plant, Cal Water will service around 500 wastewater connections, with a projected increase to 15,000 once the community is complete. Cal Water’s ownership of the wastewater collection and recycled water distribution systems will take place in phases as the infrastructure is completed and ready to accommodate new connections. Cal Water currently delivers over 2 billion gallons of recycled water annually across its entire portfolio.  

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UT: Washington County Water Conservancy District Officials Present to Utah Water Resources Board to Secure Funding for Reuse Effort 

Last month, representatives from the Washington County Water Conservancy District presented to the Utah Water Resources Board to appeal for $195 million in funding for a $1.3 billion water reuse project. The project, which was featured on NPR radio, involves constructing three new reservoirs for storage, over 60 miles of pipelines, and the implementation of new advanced water treatment technologies. If approved, the project is anticipated to be completed in 2042 and supply up to 25% of Washington County’s water supply through recycled water. The first phase of the project would create a recycled water supply for non-potable reuse, while phase two would implement potable reuse. Water reuse “will be the future of Washington County for generations to come,” said Washington County Water Conservancy District General Manager Zach Renstrom. 

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CA: Burbank Water & Power Implements Stormwater Capture and Reuse for Power Plant Cooling

Last week, WateReuse member Burbank Water & Power was featured in Power Magazine for its stormwater capture and reuse system at the Magnolia Power Plant. Completed in 2024, its reuse system redirects stormwater that would normally flow into Burbank Western Channel into a 277,000-gallon underground storage and infiltration facility. Stormwater collected in the storage facility is then treated and directed to the power plant’s cooling towers. The system also features the ability to infiltrate water into the ground when the plant is not operational, with monitoring in place to ensure that replenished groundwater meets drinking water requirements. General Manager of Burbank Water & Power Mandip Samra noted that the project has offset the cost of cooling water and enhanced progress toward organizational sustainability goals. 

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Association Update
WateReuse Board Secretary Jon Freedman Featured in Smart Water Magazine Cover Story on Water Reuse Leadership

Last month, WateReuse Board Secretary and President of the International Desalination and Reuse Association Jon Freedman was featured in Smart Water Magazine, discussing the need to scale up water reuse and desalination to address global water scarcity. In the transcribed interview, Jon addresses challenges and opportunities, including the need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, and economic solutions to execute these projects. Jon also addresses the water-energy nexus and the role of renewable energy in sustainable water management, how water reuse can fit into corporate ESG goals, financing solutions for municipalities, and IDRA’s work to further global adoption of these technologies. “Desalination and water reuse are vital components of a long-term strategy to achieve global water security,” he said.  

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Industrial Update
Brown and Caldwell Acquires Membrane Technology Consulting Firm SPI

Last week, WateReuse member Brown and Caldwell announced its acquisition of Separation Processes, Inc. (SPI), a consulting engineering firm recognized for its expertise in membrane technology for water and wastewater treatment. This acquisition aims to enhance Brown and Caldwell’s services in membrane technology across the entire water cycle, including drinking water, water reuse, wastewater, and industrial water. SPI employees will integrate into Brown and Caldwell’s existing water and wastewater solutions practices, with SPI’s President and Owner James Vickers taking on the role of Membrane National Specialty Leader for Brown and Caldwell.

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Member Resources and Benefits
Explore Stormwater Capture and Reuse

Stormwater capture and reuse is a growing focus in the water reuse community. As climate change increases the unpredictability of weather, reusing our rain can offer many co-benefits including flood management, enhancing water supply and water quality, and cost savings. Visit our Stormwater Reuse landing page for more information! WateReuse members can also download the Profile in Stormwater Reuse, a useful outreach and education piece for community stakeholders. 

Learn More
WateReuse Events and Webcasts
Webcast: Assessing Different Water Reuse Approaches with U.S. EPA

July 17, 2025
10:00 am ET | 7:00 am PT (1 hour)
Free to WateReuse Members

Join Doctors Jay Garland and Michael Jahne to learn about key research coming out of U.S. EPA’s Office of Research and Development. Garland and Jahne will provide an overview of their research addressing three key areas for developing water reuse systems: 1) defining treatment targets for contaminant removal, 2) specifying and assessing system performance, and 3) evaluating life cycle costs and impacts of different reuse scenarios. The presentation will discuss their involvement in developing a risk based, fit-for-purpose strategy in collaboration with the National Blue-Ribbon Commission for Onsite Water Systems and include work on decentralized systems for reuse of domestic wastewater, roof-collected rainwater, stormwater, air conditioning condensate, and industrial wastes streams from food processing and oil & gas extraction.

Presented by WateReuse Ohio.

Register Here
2025 WateReuse Arizona Symposium

July 20-22, 2025
Flagstaff, AZ - High Country Conference Center

Water professionals from across the state of Arizona, including state departments, utilities, consultants, contractors, regulators, equipment manufacturers and laboratory services, and guests from neighboring states, will convene to hear presentations and engage in conversations regarding water reuse in Arizona.

Register Here
2025 WateReuse Texas Annual Conference

September 16-18, 2025 | Houston, TX

Come together to learn about water reuse in Texas including major advances in direct potable reuse, produced water, and much more.

Register Here
WateReuse at the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Conference

September 14-17, 2025 | Portland, OR

The Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition (PNCWA2025) will feature a full-day track hosted by WateReuse Pacific Northwest on September 16, 2025. This year’s conference theme is Flowing Together: Stories of Dedication and Innovation.

Register Here
2025 WateReuse California Annual Conference

September 21-23, 2025 | San Diego, CA

Save the date for the premier water recycling conference in California. Hear from a wide range of expert speakers and tour local San Diego-area water reuse projects.

Register Here

Contact us at info@watereuse.org

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