Date: February 27, 2020
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alongside federal partners, will release the National Water Reuse Action Plan: Collaborative Implementation, a collection of bold actions developed in collaboration with water sector organizations that will reshape the way communities around the nation manage our most precious resource – water. The plan identifies 37 actions across 11 strategic themes to give communities tools to consider and adopt water reuse as part of an integrated water resources plan.
EPA announced its intent to facilitate the development of the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) one year ago on February 27, 2019. National water organizations including the WateReuse Association, American Water Works Association (AWWA), Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), and The Water Research Foundation (WRF) worked in partnership with utilities, businesses, and government to develop recommendations for the plan.
“The WateReuse Association is pleased to have been an integral part of both developing the WRAP and planning for its implementation,” said WateReuse Association Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi. “We thank EPA for launching a national water reuse initiative, commend the entire federal family for their collaboration, and look forward to leading several of the actions identified in the plan.”
The WRAP identifies tools related to education, policy, technology development, research, and a variety of other mechanisms to increase the likelihood that more cities and states will consider incorporating water reuse into their water management strategy.
“AWWA looks forward to collaborating with EPA and our many water sector partners in implementing the Water Reuse Action Plan,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “Expanded water reuse, and particularly potable reuse, can be key in diversifying water resource portfolios, increasing resiliency and assuring safe and sustainable drinking water.”
EPA along with other federal agencies such as the U.S. Departments of Energy and State and the U.S. Geological Survey, as well as national water associations will lead actions and collaborate on others to ensure implementation. Actions led by national water sector organizations include developing a database to track and report state-level policies and regulations, coordinating research, and workforce development.
“On a national scale, consideration of water reuse is essential to ensuring water resilience, security and sustainability,” said AMWA CEO Diane VanDe Hei. “AMWA applauds that the National Reuse Action Plan supports the necessary research to inform the key building blocks for public health protection in implementing potable reuse projects.”
Investment in water reuse builds communities that are modern, sustainable, and poised for economic growth. Recycled water is used coast-to-coast, including:
“NACWA is proud to have participated alongside a variety of stakeholders in the water sector as well as EPA in advancing the recommendations contained within the Water Reuse Action Plan. Ensuring cooperation among all stakeholders on reuse is the key to achieving the ambitious goals developed by this diverse coalition. NACWA looks forward to advancing the reuse initiatives unveiled today,” said NACWA CEO Adam Krantz.
In the U.S., about 340 billion gallons of water per day are discharged from sources including municipal wastewater, industry process water, and agriculture runoff. Water reuse, also known as water recycling, captures water from a variety of sources and cleans it for a designated beneficial freshwater purpose such as drinking, industrial processes, surface or ground water replenishment, and watershed restoration.
It is absolutely vital to increase and diversify the practice of water reuse to ensure a sustainable water future,” said WEF President Jackie Jarrell. “The leadership and resources of U.S. EPA and other federal agencies is essential to advancing water reuse on a national scale. WEF looks forward to collaboration on this shared priority.
Eighty percent of U.S. states anticipate a strain in their water supplies over the next decade. Water reuse provides alternatives to existing water supplies and enhances water security, sustainability, and resilience.
“Research on water reuse is central to our One Water mission of advancing the science of water to improve the quality of life,” said WRF CEO Peter Grevatt. “The Water Research Foundation is looking forward to working with the US EPA and other partners on the development of a water reuse research roadmap to build on our $30 million investment into research related to direct potable reuse.”
The National Water Reuse Action Plan makes diversifying the nation’s water portfolio a national priority. With continued collaboration among public and private partners in implementing this plan, the U.S. could recycle as much as 80% of all water within 50 years.
WateReuse Association Applauds Passage of Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021
Date: March 24, 2021
Today, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously adopted the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021,...
2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence Showcase Leadership in Advancing Water Recycling
Date: March 22, 2021
The WateReuse Association recognized leaders in water recycling during a March 22 ceremony at the virtual 36th Annual WateReuse Symposium....
WateReuse Association Applauds Introduction of Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2021
Date: March 16, 2021
Today, Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) will introduce the Water Quality Protection and Job...
WateReuse is the only trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. Our niche strategy sets us apart from other organizations in the water industry.
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Water and Waste Regulations | West Virginia West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Washington State Department of Ecology, Reclaimed Water | Washington Washington State Department of Ecology
Reclaimed Water Use (Revised Code of Washington §90.46.005) | Washington State Legislature
Virginia State Law, Treatment and Standards for Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Virginia State Law, Minimum Standard Requirements for Reuses of Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Use of Reclaimed Water (Texas Administrative Code §30.1.210) | Texas Administrative Code
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 210- Use of Reclaimed Water | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 321, Subchapter P | Texas Administrative Code
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. §5.102 | Texas Administrative Code
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. §26.011. | Texas Administrative Code
2015 South Carolina Plumbing Code- Chapter 13 Nonpotable Water Systems | South Carolina Plumbing Code
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Water Reuse Program | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Water Resources Department, Municipal Water Reuse | Oregon Water Resources Department
Recycled Water Use Rules (Oregon Administrative Rules 340-055-0005) | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
3701-29-17 Gray water recycling systems and alternative toilets. | Ohio Administrative Code
North Dakota Water Commission, North Dakota State Policy/Procedure for Transfer and Reuse of Wastewater | North Dakota Water Commission
Local Water Supply Plans (General Statutes of North Carolina §143-355) |
New York Environmental Protection Department, Water Reuse Program | New York Environmental Protection Department
New York Environmental Protection Department, Water Reuse Guide 2018-2019 | New York Environmental Protection Department
New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Oil and Gas Extraction Wastewater Management | New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
New Mexico Environment Department, Water Resources & Management | New Mexico Environment Department
Water Project Finance Section; Implementation of state water plan (New Mexico Statutes §72-4A-9) | New Mexico Statutes
Water Conservation Plans; municipalities, counties and water suppliers. (New Mexico Statutes §72-14-3.2) | New Mexico Statutes
State Water Plan Authorization (New Mexico Statutes §72-14-3.1) | New Mexico Statutes
New Hampshire Department of Environment Services, Land Treatment and Disposal of Reclaimed Wastewater: Guidance for Groundwater Discharge Permitting | New Hampshire Department of Environment Services
Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota -2018 Report of the Interagency Workgroup of Water Reuse | Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Municipal Wastewater Reuse Fact Sheet | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Reclaimed Water Information | Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Department of the Environment, Water Reuse Initiative | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Maryland Water Reuse Laws, Regulation, and Guidelines | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Water Reuse General Background Information
Kansas Water Office, Non-Traditional Sources and Uses of Water-Reuse | Kansas Water Office
567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 62: Effluent and Pretreatment Standards: Other Effluent Limits or Prohibitions | Iowa Department of Environmental Protection
Recycled Water Rules (Idaho Administrative Code 58.01.17)| Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s Reuse Program | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Study on the expansion of use of reclaimed water, stormwater, and excess surface water (Florida Senate Bill 536 (2015)) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Sewage disposal facilities; advanced and secondary waste treatment. (Florida Statutes §403.086)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §403.0645)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §373.250) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse Feasibility Studies (Florida Administrative Code 62-610.820) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Required and optional elements of comprehensive plans (Florida Statutes §163.3177) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 2014 State of Connecticut Water Reuse Bill | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Regulation No. 84 – Reclaimed Water Control Regulation | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Commission
Use of Recycled Water; Reclaimed Water Quality Standards (Arizona Administrative Code §18-9-7) | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 7. Use of Recycled Water. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 11, Article 3. Reclaimed Water Quality Standards. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Reclaimed Water Reuse Program Chapter 335-6-20 | Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Regulations Related to Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
Surface Water Augmentation Regulations (California Code of Regulations Title 22 § 60301.170) | State Water Resources Control Board
Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (California Code of Regulations Title 23 §490-495)
Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
Water Management Planning | Assembly Bill (AB) 1668 and Senate Bill (SB) 606-May 31, 2018
