April 9, 2018
Washington Update
EPA WIFIA Announces Notice of Funding Availability for 2018
WateReuse Submits Coalition Support Letters for WRDA Priority
Don’t Miss the 2018 National Water Policy Fly-In During Water Week 2018
EPA Administrator Pruitt Delegates Dredge and Fill Permit Authority to Himself
On March 30, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt released a memo to EPA Regional Administrators stating that all Section 404 dredge and fill material permitting decisions must now go through the Administrator’s office. The memo states that the decision to take this authority away from the regional offices is part of EPA’s review of the 2015 Waters of the United States rule.
Washington Calendar
Please note the following deadlines:
- Comments on Title XVI Updated Evaluation Criteria are due to the Bureau of Reclamation on April 12
- Comments to EPA on discharges of pollutants via groundwater are due May 21
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: Dry Winter Demonstrates Need for Increased Water Recycling
The California Department of Water Resources reported last week that the Sierra Snowpack, the major source of water for the state during the dry months, was at 52 percent of average. As snow in the Sierra Mountains melts, it flows into a massive network of reservoirs that provide water throughout the year. While the reservoirs are full following last year’s wet winter, some projections indicate that a typical April snowpack at the end of the century will be 64% smaller than the typical April snowpack at the end of the 20th century. Learn More.
Colorado: Denver Water, Carollo Engineers, and Xylem Partner on Direct Potable Reuse Demonstration Project
Denver Water is partnering with WateReuse Colorado, Carollo Engineers, and Xylem on the PureWater Colorado Demonstration Project to establish that direct potable reuse (DPR) is as a safe, reliable and sustainable drinking water source. The project is located at the Denver Water Recycling Plant and will run during the month of April. Some of the water produced will be used to brew beer to raise awareness among the public about this water purification process. Learn More.
Florida: Governor Scott Vetoes Legislation Supporting Aquifer Recharge with Recycled Water
Florida: JEA Begins Pilot Program to Bring Potable Reuse to Jacksonville
WateReuse Association member JEA, a community owned electric, water, and sewer utility, is collaborating with the St. Johns River Water Management District to test two technologies for producing purified water at two regional water reclamation facilities. JEA’s drinking water comes from the Floridan aquifer, which is becoming limited as the state grows. Recycled water is already used for irrigation in Jacksonville and neighboring counties. Learn More.
Florida: WateReuse Florida Proclaims May 13-19 Florida Water Reuse Week
WateReuse Florida has designated May 13-19, 2018 as Florida Water Reuse Week. May, typically a dry month when water demands are high, is a good time to educate citizens about how they can help save Florida’s precious water resources through water reuse. WateReuse Florida is encouraging water organizations around the state to pass a similar resolution. Most of the water management districts have developed proclamation templates customized to their area to assist local agencies in developing a resolution.
Montana: Big Sky Looks to Water Reuse to in Wet Years
The Big Sky County Water and Sewer District is examining the possibility of upgrading its recycled water program to produce water clean enough for rapid infiltration and snowmaking. The district already recycles 100% of its effluent as irrigation water for golf courses and a park. The current treatment facility is coming close to reaching capacity, particularly in wet years, so officials are looking to advanced treatment options to allow more uses of its recycled water. Learn More.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: Water Recycling and Wet Weather Management
Please join us on April 12 at 2 p.m. EDT for a webcast showcasing successful urban and suburban-based decentralized water recycling installations in the Northeastern United States. You will learn about the decentralized water recycling revolution occurring in and around cities located in wetter regions, including why these cities are turning to decentralized water reuse and how your city can integrate decentralized water recycling systems into your overall wastewater and wet weather management strategy. If you are a wastewater utility manager facing challenging weather conditions and population growth, this webcast is for you. Learn More.
Make Plans to Attend 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.
Register for the Pacific Northwest WateReuse Conference
WateReuse Pacific Northwest will host a conference May 17-18 in Portland, Oregon with the theme “Roadmap to Reuse.” More than 200 utility operators and mangers, elected officials, engineers, regulators and equipment manufacturers are expected to attend. Presentations will focus on feasibility studies, regulatory updates, public outreach, funding, and more. Learn More.
Upcoming Events
Presented in partnership with WateReuse Pacific Northwest, this webcast will discuss how membranes are used in water, wastewater and reuse applications and review typical operational tasks.
Webcast
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
How are membranes used in water recycling and what are the typical operational tasks? Learn how membranes can be used alone, or in conjunction with complementary technologies, to remove a broad range of contaminants from water. This range of capabilities has contributed to the widespread use of membranes to treat water, wastewater, and recycled water. The presentation will explain the types of membranes and their uses, review proper maintenance, and provide viewers with insight into this popular treatment technology.
Please join us to learn about:
- Micro and ultrafiltration membranes, used to remove particles as small as viruses by size exclusion;
- Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, capable of removing dissolved salts and organic compounds; and
- Proper maintenance of membranes and membrane systems necessary to maximize system capacity, water quality, and life span.
Presenter
Daniel A. Hugaboom, P.E.
Carollo Engineers
Dan is Carollo Engineer’s Chief MF/UF Membrane Technologist. In this role, he directs technical aspects of the company’s low-pressure membrane filtration based projects. Dan also serves as President of the Northwest Membrane Operator’s Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the American Membrane Technology Association.
October 25, 2019 – Section Meeting, Topic & Speaker TBA
- Webinar: Status of California’s Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) Operator Certification Program
– Erin Mackey, Brown and Caldwell
Topic: Recycled Water Technologies and Case Studies
The Annual WateReuse California Conference brings together utilities, businesses, policymakers, and large water users from across the state to examine the latest issues and technologies in water recycling.