April 30, 2018
Washington Update
Senate Committee Examines Groundwater Conduit Theory
Water Infrastructure Resiliency Grant Program Legislation Introduced
New Report on Mainstreaming Potable Water Reuse Released
EPA Administrator Pruitt Faces Tough House Hearings
WateReuse Supports Legislative Effort to Encourage Utility Partnerships
EPA Releases WIFIA’s PEA and FONSI
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Members!
The WateReuse Association is pleased to welcome the following new members:
WateReuse Members Receive Environmental Engineering Awards
California: State Water Board Releases Framework for DPR
The California State Water Resources Control Board is accepting public comments on a proposed framework for regulating direct potable reuse through May 20, 2018. The framework outlines the water board’s current thinking on regulating direct potable reuse in California and is not a regulatory document. A rulemaking process will be undertaken separately.
California: Bottled Purified Water Campaign Wins Grand Prize for Environmental Communications
The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) and Orange County Water District (OCWD) received the Grand Prize for Environmental Communications for the Groundwater Replenishment System Bottled Water Campaign. The campaign aimed to educate and increase awareness of water reuse projects and break the stigma associated with these projects that are often referred to as “toilet-to-tap.” OCSD and OCWD received this award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) at the 2018 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science Awards Luncheon and Conference held in Washington DC. Learn More.
Colorado: WateReuse Colorado, Denver Water Offer Scholarships
WateReuse Colorado is offering four scholarships to support students focusing on water reclamation, water reuse, and/or desalination. Each scholarship is valued at $1,500 and will be awarded in September 2018 to the highest-ranking applicants among undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited Colorado university or community college. In addition, Denver Water is offering three Denver Water Centennial Scholarships to support students and recent high school graduates with an interest in pursuing a professional career related to water delivery, water quality, water reclamation or water reuse. Applicants must be Colorado residents. Each scholarship is valued at $2,000 and will be awarded in September 2018. Learn More.
Florida: Upgrades Improve Water Quality, Increase Capacity for Reclaimed Water at State Park
The Volusia County Council, St. Johns River Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection last week celebrated the completion of a $12.7 million upgrade to an advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse facility designed to protect Blue Spring State Park. The upgrades to the treatment process and technology at the facility enable additional removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from effluent water used for reclaimed supply and recharge. Additionally, the treatment capacity at the facility increased from 1.7 million gallons per day to 2.7 million gallons per day. Learn More.
Texas: WateReuse Texas Elects New Leadership
WateReuse Texas elected Eva Steinle-Darling of Carollo Engineers as its new President at the section’s annual meeting on Wednesday, April 25. Other officers elected include Mark Vega of McAllen Public Utility Board, Vice President and Shannon Rodriquez of the City of Houston, Secretary/Treasurer. Tom Taggart of the City of San Marcos is the Immediate Past President.
Virginia: Board Member Recognized for Leadership in Environmental Protection
Congratulations to WateReuse Association Board Member Karen Pallansch of Alexandria Renew for winning the Edward J. Cleary Award from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers & Scientists. The Cleary Award is given to an individual who is an outstanding performer in the management of environmental protection enterprises and has demonstrated exemplary professional conduct, personal leadership, originality in devising new environmental protection techniques, and sensitivity and responsiveness to social, economic, and political factors in environmental protection. Learn More.
Research
WRF Study Examines Legionella in Reclaimed Water Systems
The Water Research Foundation recently published a study examining how frequently Legionella occurs in reclaimed water systems and what impacts reclaimed water storage and distribution systems afford for Legionella regrowth or persistence. The research team looked at systems with various treatment characteristics, water quality parameters, and disinfectants, as well as disinfection conditions, and included a comprehensive literature review focused on Legionella detection methods, and human health risks. Download the report here.
New Report Reveals Cost & Water Supply Benefits of Southern California Stormwater Projects
The Southern California Water Coalition recently released a whitepaper, Stormwater Capture: Enhancing Recharge and Direct Use Through Data Collection, assessing the cost and performance of current stormwater capture projects across the Southern California region – and what results could mean for future projects. The study analyzed data from six different water agencies on 32 active projects to determine each project’s cost per acre-foot of captured stormwater. Costs ranged from $59 per acre-foot to more than $250,000 per acre-foot.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: Unconventional Oil and Gas Exploration: Outlook for Water Reuse and Potential Impacts on Distribution Pipes
What is the current state of water reuse in unconventional oil and gas? And what are the impacts of fracking and crude oil contaminants on water distribution pipes? Join us on Wednesday, May 9 at 2 p.m. EDT to hear results from two Water Research Foundation studies on unconventional oil and gas that cover opportunities and challenges for water reuse and protection of public health. Learn More.
Register for the Pacific Northwest WateReuse Conference
Learn the latest on state and federal policy at the 2018 Pacific Northwest WateReuse Conference in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18, 2018. Policy sessions will cover Washington State’s new reclaimed water rule, updates on federal funding programs, and a robust panel discussion on state regulation with representatives from Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Learn More.
Webcast: Developing Regulations that Grow and Support Water Reuse: The Regulator Perspective
States are taking the lead in developing regulations to support implementation and growth of water reuse. Please join us on Wednesday, June 13 at 2 p.m. EDT to learn about the latest regulatory developments in four states across the country at varying stages — from states with a long history of water reuse to states in the early stages of assessing reuse needs and strategy. Regulators from California, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Minnesota will discuss the latest developments in their states. Learn More.
Registration Opens in May for the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium
Learn “What’s Working, What’s New, and What’s Next in Water Reuse” at the 33rd Annual WateReuse Symposium, September 9-12, 2018, at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas. The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the nation’s premier conference on water reuse and the only conference dedicated solely to advancing the policy, technology, innovation and public acceptance of recycled water. Registration opens in May! Learn More.
Upcoming Events
The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (NBRC) is partnering with WateReuse and the U.S. EPA, to host an Onsite Water Reuse Summit in Washington D.C. on April 10 and 11.
The Summit is a free, in-person event taking place over a day and a half. A fantastic line-up of presentations and panel discussions are planned and we hope you can join us!
To view the agenda and additional information, please visit the Eventbrite page. Please only register for the event if you are attending in-person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/onsite-water-reuse-summit-integration-of-science-policy-and-operation-tickets-815887761257?aff=oddtdtcreator
Once you register, you will receive an email with info on the hotel options.
2024 WateReuse California Conference
Garden Grove, CA
September 15-17, 2024
The WateReuse California Annual Conference welcomes over 700 water professionals for three days of networking, technical sessions, and panels on the most pressing water reuse issues in the state. The conference includes the Annual California Reuse Awards of Excellence ceremony and much more.
2024 Industrial & Commercial Water Reuse Conference
The Road to Water Positivity
Hyatt Regency | Indian Wells, CA | November 19-21, 2024