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
Georgia Association of Water Professionals Annual Conference & Expo
The Annual Conference & Expo is targeted towards everyone in and around the State of Georgia involved in water and/or wastewater which includes, but is not limited to, Utility Directors, Operators, City/State/County Government Officials, Manufacturers Representatives, Consultants and Engineers. Learn more.
Presented in partnership with the Water Research Foundation, this webcast presents the results of a recently released research project that developed a Decision Support System to help utilities take appropriate real-time actions based on anomalies and events at critical control points.
Webcast
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: WateReuse Members and WRF Subscribers: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
As more communities develop potable reuse projects that add purified water directly to drinking water distribution systems, real-time monitoring of systems is more important than ever. Join us on July 24 at 2 pm ET to learn about a new Water Research Foundation research project (Reuse 14-01) that developed a Decision Support Tool to help utility operators and managers take appropriate real-time actions based on anomalies and events at critical control points. The research identified available online sensor technologies that have potential for direct potable reuse (DPR) and conducted risk analysis to determine the necessary sensor platforms and sensitivity required to ensure compliance, safety and identify process anomalies. The Decision Support Tool aggregates information from the group of detectors into an easy to use dashboard for operators. This webcast will include information on sensors, an overview of the Decision Support Tool, and a discussion of how utilities can benefit from this approach. While the research focused on DPR, the concepts developed can be applied to many drinking water, water reclamation, or recycled water facilities or systems.
Presenters
- Jeff Neemann, Client Director, Black & Veatch
- Jay DeCarolis, Process Engineer, Black & Veatch
- Ian Pepper, Professor, University of Arizona
- Minkyu Park, Assistant Research Professor, University of Arizona
The 2019 Arizona Water Reuse Symposium co-hosted by WateReuse Arizona and AZ Water Association will be held July 28 – 30, 2019 at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona. We will kick off the event with our welcome reception and 4th Annual Purple Water Balloon Battle on Sunday evening. Our Monday evening dinner will return to Hart Prairie Lodge at Snow Bowl and this year, attendees have the option to take a Sunset chair lift ride up and down before dinner.
View Symposium Program
2019 WateReuse Arizona Awards
The 2019 WateReuse Arizona Awards will be presented during the Arizona Water Reuse Symposium.
Deadline to nominate: June 14, 2019
WateReuse Arizona will present awards in the following categories:
1. Project of the Year
2. Program of the Year
3. Person of the Year
AWARD NOMINATION INFO HERE
Accommodations
Little America Hotel Flagstaff
2515 East Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(928) 779-7900
A block of rooms has been set aside for symposium attendees through July 7th. The room rate of $145 per night will be honored thereafter for symposium attendees, but only based on availability of rooms. Ask for group sales and mention “Water Reuse Symposium” to receive the discounted rate, or use this link:
For any questions about sponsorship, please contact Jeff Biggs at jeff.biggs@tucsonaz.gov
WR California Board Meeting
– Aug 9 – 9:30 AM ~ 12:00 PM (Friday)
– Video hosted by Kennedy/Jenks
Rancho Cordova and Irvine Office
Topic: Decentralized Reuse
The 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium is your one stop for all things water reuse. Whether you are new to reuse or an experienced veteran, a robust collection of concurrent sessions covering key policy, technology, operational, and research issues allows you to customize a unique Symposium experience. Plenary sessions explore the broader policy and planning issues that will shape the future.
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