Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – April 13, 2020

Message from WateReuse Association Leadership

During this time of crisis

As the world continues to struggle with the impacts from COVID-19, we recognize that our members have shifted their focus to responding to public concerns and ensuring workforce safety while working hard to maintain continuity of service and protect public health. The WateReuse Association staff and leadership understand the challenges that you are facing.

As all of us navigate this public health crisis, we want to ensure that you continue to have access to the tools, resources, and most importantly— the community of peers— that can help you do your job better and advance your organization through this unprecedented time. With this in mind, WateReuse is reviewing our resources, tools and advocacy priorities to ensure we are focused on what’s most important and valuable to you. We will continue to provide you with the most up-to-date information on what Congress and federal agencies are doing to support your ability to service your customers, continue to be a forum for shared learning and networking among your peers, and continue to share best management practices on an array of water recycling topics.

On a more personal note, as colleagues, peers and friends, we wanted to convey to you that as leaders of organizations, we understand how daunting, at times, this moment feels in our lives. We too are struggling to ensure our staff and families are safe and healthy, ensure continuity of operations and delivery of service, ensure our kids are learning, ensure that loved ones who may have lost a job due to this crisis can manage financially, and on and on.

As we all struggle to confront one of the greatest, most deadly and most remarkable challenges of our lifetimes, we also remind ourselves that there is much to be thankful for and that we will make it through this. Pat is grateful that her family members in Italy are safe and that the worst of the crisis in Italy may be past us. Gilbert is thankful that his family, friends, and staff are healthy and have come together, because of this pandemic and social distancing, and are communicating more and better than they ever have before.

And we are thankful for our members who make up our WateReuse family, and hopeful that through this moment of disconnection, we can help maintain our personal and professional connections to each other. Thank you, and please stay safe.

Patricia L. Sinicropi, JD
Executive Director

Gilbert Trejo
President

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Just Released: WateReuse President Gilbert Trejo Celebrates Association’s Successes in 30th Anniversary World Water Interview

In an interview with World Water, WateReuse Association President Gilbert Trejo discusses the growth of water reuse, the importance of water reuse advocacy, and the association’s past successes and vision for the future. Released last week, the March/April issue includes a special section on water reuse that highlights the release of the National Water Reuse Action Plan, previews the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium, and profiles Tucson Water’s efforts to revitalize the Santa Cruz River with recycled water, among other articles. WateReuse partners with the Water Environment Federation to produce the special section in three issues per year.

Washington Update

COVID-19 Relief Efforts Continue in Congress

Over the past several weeks, Congress enacted three pieces of legislation to provide aid to households, businesses, and local and state governments impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The House and Senate are considering a fourth legislative package that would increase relief funding for small businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) attempt to secure a unanimous consent agreement in the Senate was blocked late last week by Democrats, who are seeking to include additional aid for hospitals and state and local governments in the package. Given Democratic demands, Senator McConnell will likely need to make concessions to them in order to enact a bill under unanimous consent procedures before the Senate returns from recess on April 20.

In addition to passing a fourth relief package, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has indicated that she intends to push a large economic stimulus bill in the weeks ahead. House Democrats have offered their Moving Forward Framework as a starting point for discussions for that package. See the articles below on advocacy engagement for information on how you can help advocate for greater investment in water recycling as a tool for economic development and recovery.

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Virtual Water Reuse Advocacy: Join Water Week Webinars on April 22 and April 29

While the nation’s response to the pandemic will keep us from meeting in person during Water Week 2020, the last few weeks have only underscored the importance of the sector’s continued advocacy with federal policymakers. The virtual Water Week 2020 will provide an opportunity to advance recycled water policy priorities and bring together water professionals across the country April 26 – May 1 to bring awareness to our priorities and advocate as one voice for the sector.

Though the in-person National Water Policy Fly-In was cancelled, please join WateReuse, NACWA, WEF, and WRF for two complimentary webinars to supercharge your virtual advocacy and hear the latest from key federal policymakers.

Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET for the first webinar, Water Advocacy Update and How to Virtually Lobby Congress During Water Week 2020, to hear the latest update on Congressional advocacy and learn how to engage during Water Week. The webinar will present the latest updates from Capitol Hill, the water sector’s key issues and talking points, and tools and tips for engaging during Water Week – such as setting up virtual congressional office visits and messaging resources for social media and community outreach during Water Week and beyond.
Join us again on Wednesday, April 29, 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET for the Water Week 2020 Webinar. We know you value hearing directly from EPA and Congress when you are in Washington, so we are bringing the latest insights to your computer during Water Week 2020. The webinar will include the latest water policy developments from EPA senior staff, messages from Members of Congress about the value of water sector advocacy, and updates from key Water Week partners.

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Action Needed: Submit Your “Shovel-Ready” Water Recycling Projects for Stimulus Investment

As noted above, in the coming weeks, Congress will be considering whether and in what form to invest in infrastructure development as an economic stimulus mechanism. In preparation for negotiations over a larger economic stimulus package in the weeks and months ahead, we want to make sure that Congress is aware that shovel-ready water recycling projects can assist in our country’s economic recovery. To that end, if your utility or business has new projects or project expansions that are primed to move forward in the next 12 to 24 months, we want to know.

Congressional staff are looking for the following information ahead of Congress’ return later this month:

What would you be able to accomplish in the next 12-24 months if you had an additional infusion of funding?
How much federal and non-federal money could you spend on the project over the next 12-24 months? 
Is there an existing federal program through which this money could be invested?
Do you have any sense of the economic benefits that this project would generate in your community? Any idea how many jobs would be created or sustained given an additional infusion of funds?

If you have information regarding shovel-ready water recycling projects or expansions, please tell WateReuse about it by sending your information to Greg Fogel (gfogel@watereuse.org).

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COVID-19 Resources for Water Recycling Agencies, Businesses, and Institutions

Federal Agencies Provide Guidance on Water and COVID-19

Federal agencies are providing guidance to water professionals and the public on water transmission and COVID-19. Use the chart below to find useful resources to help your organization navigate issues surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Dedicated COVID-19 information website hosting information on disinfectants, drinking and wastewater, and COVID-19 news.
Pandemic Incidents Action Checklist includes activities the water sector can take to prepare, respond, or recover from a pandemic.
Office of Grants and Debarment provides information “to applicants for, recipients of, EPA grants and cooperative agreements regarding impacts of COVID-19” in a Frequent Questions document.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Water transmission and COVID-19 frequently asked questions about what you need to know.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

This webpage provides information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak

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WateReuse Members and Partners Provide COVID-19 Guidance

National water sector organizations, state agencies, researchers, and businesses are contributing information to help the water sector stay informed and combat the spread of coronavirus. The following resources are available:

Fact Sheet: Implications of COVID-19 for Water, Wastewater, and Water Reuse
California Water Board: COVID-19 Information for Public Water Systems
Stantec: Considerations for Water and Wastewater Treatment related to the recent outbreak COVID-19 (Whitepaper)
The Water Environment Federation: The Water Professional’s Guide to COVID-19
The University of Arizona: UA Study Looks at Survival of Coronaviruses in Water and Wastewater

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WateReuse Member Spotlight: COVID-19 Experiences and Responses

Researchers Partner with Water Recycling Agencies to Test for COVID-19

Researchers from the Southern Nevada Water Authority, University of Arizona, and several other universities are coordinating with water reuse and wastewater agencies to test for the presence of COVID-19 in influent wastewater. Widespread monitoring of wastewater across regions and time could provide critical information related to the prevalence of COVID-19 across the nation, time series comparisons with clinically confirmed cases, and an early warning system of the reemergence of the virus. The researchers are asking partnering agencies to freeze influent wastewater for testing at regular intervals. The research team also released a fact sheet last week on the Implications of COVID-19 for Water, Wastewater, and Water Reuse. For more information, contact Daniel Gerrity at SNWA.

Clean Water Services Staff Make their Own Hand Sanitizer and Disinfecting Wipes

Employees of Clean Water Services in Oregon have taken on a few new duties. In response to the shortage of commercially available products, staff is producing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to help protect employees that continue doing the important work of maintaining our treatment plant systems. See LinkedIn

Xylem Shares How Digital Water Solutions Can Help Combat COVID-19

After surveying 25 utilities in the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, WateReuse Association member Xylem believes those that invested in digitizing their workflow and operations fared better. In an article published last week, Xylem Vice President and General Manager, Albert Cho, discussed the important role that secure digital technologies is playing in the resilience of operations during these times of crisis. Coming out of Covid-19, Cho says investing in secure digital transformation will become a central part of utility resilience strategies. Read More.

Share Your Story!

Please submit your COVID-19 story or your company’s COVID-19 response (up to 50 words) for inclusion in a future issue of WateReuse Review. Email your information to info@watereuse.org by Thursday at 12 pm ET.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

Aquos Pools

California: WateReuse California Elects New Board Members and Officers

WateReuse California (WRCA) held a virtual election to select new Board members and officers. As recommended by the WRCA Nominating Committee, the following were elected as the new officers, at large trustee board members and reappointments to the board:

New Officers

President: Paul Sciuto, General Manager, Monterey One Water
President Elect: Dave Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Treasurer: Prabhakar Somavarapu, General Manager, Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District
Secretary: Kim Thorner, General Manager, Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Director: Elizabeth Dawson, Engineering Manager, El Dorado Irrigation District
Past President: Rich Nagel, Jacobs

New At Large Trustee Board Members

Allen Carlisle, General Manager, Padre Dam Municipal Water District
Paul Cook, General Manager, Irvine Ranch Water District
Robert Ferrante, General Manager, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
Mark Millan, Principal, Data Instincts
Michael Carbajal, Public Works Director, City of Fresno

Reappointment of Board Members

David Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Paul Sciuto, General Manager, Monterey One Water
Dawn Taffler, One Water Practice Leader, Kennedy Jenks

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California: Governor Suspends Service Disconnections Amid COVID-19 Outbreak

On April 2, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-42-20, Restrictions on Shutoffs, which restricts Public Water Systems (PWS) from disconnecting water service to residences and critical infrastructures due to non-payment. The Executive Order also requested that the California State Water Board identify ways to support water systems and customers, such as this web page that provides COVID-19 information and allows customers to report water shutoff issues.

Massachusetts: Wastewater Study Indicates Coronavirus Cases are Undercounted

Researchers tested samples of wastewater from an urban treatment plant in March and concluded that there are likely hundreds more people with coronavirus in the area than officials thought. There were about 450 confirmed coronavirus cases in the area of the treatment facility, but researchers estimated that the number of people actually infected with coronavirus is between 2,300 and 115,000. The study’s authors emphasized that while they can detect the virus in urine and feces, people are not at risk of getting the disease through sewage. Read More

New Mexico: Partnership Formed to Advance Produced Water Reuse in Agriculture

Two midstream companies have formed a partnership that they hope will lead to a treatment facility in Lea County that recycles oil and gas wastewater for use in agriculture. New Mexico-based Hungry Horse Environmental Services will provide the land and Wyoming-based Encore Environmental Group will provide technology to recycle produced water for agricultural use. New Mexico has established a consortium of researchers and government officials to research regulations on oil and gas produced water reuse. The two companies plan to work with the consortium to develop a conservation-by-design system that complies with the regulations the consortium develops. Read More.

Qatar: Recycled Water for Cooling Saves 2.2 Billion Gallons of Potable Water Annually

As much as 70% of Qatar’s electricity demand is for air conditioning. District cooling (DC) is a system that uses 40% less energy and with recycled water, significantly less potable water. Qatar has 20 DC plants using recycled water for the cooling plant operation, which saved about 2.2 billion gallons of potable water last year. Minimizing air conditioning’s electricity and potable water demand will help Qatar effectively cool the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums. Read more.

WateReuse Communications Tools and Resources

Understanding Potable Reuse: New Video Targets Public Health and Medical Community

The WateReuse Association’s new video, Understanding Potable Reuse: A Safe and Sustainable Supply, discusses the proven, science-based treatment processes that are used safely in communities around the world. In the video, experts from academia, public health, and utilities discuss the value of engaging with the medical community and including discussions of water in public health education. The video was produced as part of the WateReuse Public Health and Medical Community Initiative.

Conferences and Events

Webcast: Breaking Down Implementation Barriers for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems

What are the key components of a successful onsite non-potable water system? Join us April 15 at 2 pm to learn about a Water Research Foundation guidance manual and interactive training modules to tackle critical knowledge gaps businesses and utilities. The presentation will cover treatment goals, effective design, strategies for effective operation and monitoring, and regulatory and permitting frameworks. Register Now!

Webcast: Managing Teams Remotely During Times of Crisis

Managing teams remotely is challenging in the best of times, but in times of crisis, executives and team leaders need to develop an entirely new set of management skills to ensure their teams feel supported and cared for as they work to remain productive. Join us on April 16 at 12 pm ET to learn from Dr. Bill Mitchell, COO of MoreTalent and former executive of fortune 500 companies, who specializes in helping leaders develop exceptional performing teams through periods of uncertainty and crisis. Register Now!

Webcast: America’s Water Infrastructure Act – Implications for Water Reuse and COVID-19

Are water recycling utilities well prepared to deal with the COVID-19 crisis and other potential future risks? Join us on April 21 at 2 pm ET for a discussion of America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) and risk assessment for utilities. AWIA requires all utilities serving 3,300 or more people to complete a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) for their water systems, followed by the completion of an emergency response plan. This presentation will discuss risk and risk perceptions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Register Now!

Upcoming Events

Jan

Wed

Water Reuse Policy in the 117th Congress and Biden Administration (Webcast)

Tickets

Jan 27 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Please join Washington insiders to examine what’s on the congressional agenda for 2021 and what water-related priorities the Biden Administration is likely to push in its first year. Register Now! Join Us! 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT WateReuse Members: Free Others: $49 January 2021 marks the beginning of both a new administration in the White House and a new Congress. While Congress passed a number of key pieces of legislation in the final days of 2020, much work remains to be done, including the reauthorization of important water recycling programs. At the same time, the Biden Administration is coming in with an ambitious agenda related to climate change, the environment, and infrastructure, among other issues. Top Washington water sector lobbyists will discuss the status of key legislation and explain the opportunities to advance a water reuse policy agenda. Whether you plan to participate in our Virtual Water Week in the spring or are interested in what to expect from Congress and the new Administration in 2021, this webcast will be a national advocacy primer for water professionals.

Categories: Featured Webcasts

Feb

Wed

Stormwater Capture Drivers, Impediments, and Future Visions (Webcast)

Tickets

Feb 3 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Register Now!
Join Us!
2:00 – 4:00 pm ET| 11:00 am – 1:00 pm PT
Fee: Complimentary

Join a group of stormwater management leaders from around the US to discuss stormwater capture motivations and drivers, barriers to progress, and future directions. This group will touch on questions like- Why are communities pursuing stormwater capture for use now? How do community interests in stormwater harvesting vary across the country? What factors get in the way of progress? Where do we want to be with stormwater capture in 20 years? The audience will learn about the different motivators, unique strategies, and opportunities to market and advance stormwater capture across the U.S.

Presenters

Randy Bartlett, Fairfax County VA
Sharlene Leurig, Texas Water Trade/Austin Water Forward
Mark Doneux, St. Paul, MN Capitol Region Watershed District
James Moore, Georgia Association of Water Professionals
Enrique Zaldivar, City of Los Angeles
Lynn Broaddus, Water Environment Federation
Drew Wenzel, Google

This webinar will be the first of a series of four webinars as part of the National Water Reuse Action Plan, Action 2.3.3. Co-sponsors include the WateReuse Association, U.S. EPA, National Association of Municipal Stormwater Agencies (NMSA), Re-Inventing the Nation’s Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt), Water Environment Federation, and Johnson Foundation at Wingspread (JFW).

Save the Date

Join us for the second webinar in this series.

Developing Stormwater Treatment Standards – Where’s the Action?
February 23, 2021
2:00 – 4:00 pm ET

Categories: Webcasts

Feb

Fri

Containment of Covid-19 on a College Campus via Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

Tickets

Feb 5 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Join Us!
9:00 am – 10:00 am Pacific | 12:00 – 1:00 pm Eastern
WateReuse Members: Free
Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

Wastewater-based epidemiology was utilized to detect SARS-Cov-19 in the wastewater of student dorms upon re-entry of University of Arizona students in the fall semester of 2020. Positive wastewater samples allowed for subsequent targeted clinical testing of dorm students and the identification of both symptomatic and asymptomatic Covid-19 infections. Early detection of infected individuals resulted in reduced exponential spread of Covid-19 and allowed the university to remain open throughout the semester.

Presenter

Ian Pepper, Director, WEST Center & Professor, Environmental Science

Dr. Pepper is an environmental microbiologist whose research has focused on the fate and transport of pathogens in air, water, soils and municipal wastes. More recently, he has investigated the potential for real-time detection of contaminants in water distribution systems. Dr. Pepper is Professor in the Community, Environment, and Policy Department in the UA College of Public Health, as well as Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering. In addition to his duties at the WEST Center, he is director of the National Science Foundation Water Quality Center at the UA.

He also teaches a graduate level laboratory class on Environmental Microbiology, and an undergraduate class on Pollution Science. He has co-authored numerous books and journal articles on Environmental Microbiology and Pollution Science, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Microbiology, the American Society of Agronomy, and the Soil Science Society of America.

He received his Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology from The Ohio State University, M.S. in Soil Biochemistry from Ohio State, and B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Birmingham, Great Britain.

Categories: WateReuse Arizona Webcasts

Feb

Wed

Communicating about Potable Reuse and Public Health: Tools for Success

Tickets

Feb 17 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Register Now!

Join Us!
2:00 – 3:00 pm ET| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm PT
WateReuse Members: Free
Others: $49

As more communities face water quantity challenges, water reuse is a viable option to expand drinking water sources. Although all water is recycled as it moves through the environment, the practice of treating wastewater to be used for potable water is sometimes met with skepticism. Some of this stems from the “toilet to tap” campaigns that may have led to more rejection of water reuse than acceptance.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is a framework that evaluates the many factors impacting water reuse practices and management, as well as those influencing community perception. With the emergence of new pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, the acceptance of water recycling as part of a community’s drinking water sustainability plan may be even more challenging. This webcast will describe how QMRA may be used to communicate with stakeholders – including healthcare providers – the human health safeguards associated with water reuse implementation.

Presenters

Karla Mendez, PhD Candidate, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, El Paso campus
Kristina Mena, MSPH, PhD, Regional Dean and Associate Professor, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, El Paso campus