As summer is winding down, I hope everyone has been able to take some time off, disconnect, and spend valuable time with family and friends. WateReuse Florida was able to kick off the summer season on a high note with our successful annual Water Reuse Week Summit, which took place May 21 in Jupiter. I want to thank all our attendees, sponsors, speakers, and volunteers that participated in the event.
The Summit began with an amazing tour of the Loxahatchee River District Water Reclamation Facility, hosted by Executive Director Dr. Albrey Arrington, which showcased their innovative use of green infrastructure to naturally attenuate nutrients in their produced reclaimed water. The technical portion of the program featured a keynote address from South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Executive Director Drew Bartlett, an overview of the FPL/Miami-Dade Clean Water Recovery Center, a presentation on Boca Raton’s In-City Reclamation Irrigation System, and a very informative panel session led by Board of Trustee member Suzanne Mechler discussing the unique water reuse challenges in South Florida that included representatives from the City of Miramar, Port St. Lucie, City of Delray Beach, and Palm Beach County.
In addition to the Summit, members of WateReuse Florida had the privilege to speak on a panel at the annual Environmental Permitting Summer School conference that was held on Marco Island in July. I had the pleasure of being joined by past WateReuse Florida presidents Randy Brown and Lynn Spivey alongside Board of Trustee member Chuck Drake, our legal counsel Laura Donaldson, and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Assistant Executive Director Mandi Rice as we presented on the innovative use of reuse water.
Our next in-person event will be our Annual Meeting that is scheduled for October 23 and will be held right before the opening session of AIF’s Annual Water Forum at the Loews Royal Pacific Hotel in Orlando. Please plan to join us for our meeting and, if possible, stay for the always informative Water Forum where you’ll hear from some of our most influential legislative officials as they discuss current and future water policy and related issues impacting Florida.
Thanks, and we’ll see you in Orlando! | 
