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.
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 Frameworkas 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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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:
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:
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
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!
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.
