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August 10, 2020

Reaching New Heights in Water Reuse: Don’t Miss the 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium Experience

Washington Update

WateReuse Urges Congress to Invest in Water Reuse in New Water Infrastructure Bill

Extended Negotiations Continue on Next COVID-19 Relief Package

Both chambers of Congress and the White House continued extensive negotiations last week on the next COVID-19 stimulus package. Negotiations aimed at extending unemployment benefits and reconciling the Senate’s $1 trillion relief package, the HEALS Act, with the House-passed relief bill, the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800), have thus far fallen short. The Senate will be back in session this week, cutting short the chamber’s August recess, to continue negotiations. While the House is not conducting floor business this week, they are slated to return in the event of a stimulus package vote.

Bureau of Reclamation Announces Availability of $3 Million for Water Reuse Research

The Bureau of Reclamation announced a $3 million funding opportunity for Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Research Projects. Title XVI is the only federal funding program dedicated to investments in water reuse. Research sponsors may submit proposals to cost-share Title XVI research activities that seek to address water supply challenges by establishing or expanding beneficial reuse, improving existing water reuse facilities, and/or streamlining the implementation of state-of-the-art technology for new facilities. Applications are due on October 7, 2020. The funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for Funding Opportunity Number BOR-DO-20-F009.

Reminder: Applications for Water Reuse and Desalination Research Grants Due Next Week

The Bureau of Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program is accepting applications through August 19 for $1.75 million in grants to support water reuse and desalination research. Private industry, universities, water utilities, and other research sponsors are eligible to submit applications for funding to conduct laboratory or pilot scale studies. The funding opportunity is available on grants.gov by searching for FOA number BOR-DO-20-F004.

World Water: Spotlight on Water Reuse

Latest Issue of World Water Covers Building-Scale Potable Reuse Research, Integrated Solutions for Communities, and More

The July/August issue of the Water Environment Federation’s World Water magazine includes a special section on water reuse, produced in partnership with the WateReuse Association. The special section includes an interview Black & Veatch’s Zeynep Erdal on integrated solutions to advance a one-water approach, a look at decentralized potable reuse research in San Francisco, and a report on treating and recovering brine. The issue also includes a legislative and regulatory update, as well as a spotlight on the 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium. The special issue is produced three times per year and provided to WateReuse Association members as a benefit. Read More.

WateReuse Awards for Excellence

Submit a Nomination for the 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence

Is your utility or business demonstrating leadership in advancing water recycling? Or do you know of an organization, individual, or partnership that has implemented an innovative solution that will inspire others? If so, submit a nomination for the 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence to get the recognition you deserve. Nominations are due September 30, 2020.

The 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence will recognize accomplishments for 2019 and 2020. Winners will be recognized in conjunction with the 36th Annual WateReuse Symposium, March 14-17, 2021. Submit a nomination now!

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

Colorado: WateReuse Colorado Opens Scholarship Application

WateReuse Colorado (WRCO) announced the availability of three 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 October 2020 to the highest-ranking applicants among undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited Colorado university or community college, as determined by the scholarship committee of WRCO. Scholarship applications must be submitted online by September 25, 2020. Learn More

Virginia: Federal Programs Invest in Developing Potable Reuse

The Bureau of Reclamation recently awarded nearly $500,000 to Virginia Tech to support a $1.7 million study on non-membrane treatment options for indirect potable reuse and aquifer recharge. The study is led by a team that includes Charles Bott, adjunct professor at Virginia Tech and Chief Technology Officer at Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD). HRSD was also awarded a $930 million loan through the U.S. EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program to support its aquifer recharge program, known as SWIFT or Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow. The SWIFT project aims to eventually inject 120 million gallons a day of treated water to replenish the aquifer that supplies water to eastern Virginia.

Member Spotlight: Suez’s Jon Freedman Appointed to EPA’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board

Jon Freedman, Global Government Affairs Leader for Suez, was recently appointed to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB). Established in 1989, the EFAB offers guidance to EPA leadership and the agency’s programs on innovative ways to lower costs and increase investments in environmental and public health protection. Other WateReuse member organizations represented on the EFAB include Denver Water, San Antonio Water System, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, and the Idaho Depart of Environmental Quality.

Member Spotlight: Epic CleanTec Advances Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Reuse

San Francisco startup, Epic CleanTec, secured $2.6 million of seed funding to advance onsite wastewater treatment and reuse. Epic CleanTec’s system transforms a building’s wastewater into purified water for onsite nonpotable applications and natural, carbon-rich soil amendments. The system can reduce a building’s water demand by up to 90%. Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and CEO of Epic shares the company’s vision for fundamentally rethinking how we handle water and wastewater. Read More.

Member Resources and Benefits

Visit the WateReuse Webcast Library to Stay Informed

Did you miss a WateReuse webcast you really wanted to see? Or are you looking for information to support your water recycling program? The WateReuse Webcast Library is available exclusively to members and includes over 100 presentations that you can watch on demand with a member login. WateReuse presents webcasts on water recycling technology, operations, research, and policy issues and archives them for member use. Visit the WateReuse Webcast Library to make your selection.

Conferences and Events

Virtual Happy Hour: Whiskey is for Drinking, Water is for Fighting Reusing!

Although the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium will not take place in Denver, Colorado as planned this year, WateReuse Colorado (WRCO) is making plans to welcome Symposium attendees with a Virtual Drop-In Happy Hour and Trivia Night on Monday, September 14, 2020, 5:30 – 7:00 pm MT. Attendees are invited to wear their favorite western gear and connect with fellow attendees via a Zoom video conference.

The WateReuse L.A. Chapter is Zooming Along

As in-person meetings have been put on hold, the Los Angeles Chapter of WateReuse California has transitioned to holding virtual Chapter Meetings. Eighty-four members participated in the June 2020 meeting, where West Basin Municipal Water District presented on their recycled water project for the new Los Angeles Football Stadium. The Water Research Foundation shared updates on current DPR research projects. During the meeting, members from the Long Beach Water Department and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power also had the opportunity to share COVID-19 “Lessons Learned,” as everyone is continuing to adjust to the new working conditions and safety measures. In late July, the chapter’s Young Member Committee organized the first L.A. Chapter Virtual Happy Hour to encourage members to continue engaging with each other.

Bulk Registrations Available for 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium: For Every Five Registrations, Get One Free

Join us for the 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium to provide your entire team with high quality professional development and training on all aspects of water reuse. For every five registrations purchased, a free registration will be added – a cost savings of over $500! Take advantage of this team discount and the lack of travel expenses to provide professional development to your core team as well as staff who may be new to water reuse, and save in professional development costs!

Launching online September 14-16, 2020, the Annual WateReuse Symposium is the premier conference devoted to water recycling and offers more than 100 hours of technical presentations. Registrants can access the full program for up to 45 days – the virtue of going virtual is that you do not have to miss any content offerings! Register Now!

Upcoming Events

Apr
9
Tue
Water Policy Fly-In 2024 @ Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
Apr 9 all-day
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Apr 9 all-day
Apr
10
Wed
Onsite Water Reuse Summit
Apr 10 – Apr 11 all-day

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.

Reuse Happy Hour at Texas Water @ Refinery 714
Apr 10 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

The Happy Hour is at Refinery 714, address 714 Main Street in the Kimpton Harper Hotel on the 24th floor. We will have appetizers and free drinks for attendees until the drink tickets run out.

 

The Happy Hour is sponsored by Yokogawa.

 

Apr
12
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
Apr 12 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Please find below the 2024 schedule for the Legislative-Regulatory Committee. All in-person meetings will be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Sacramento offices located at: 1121 L Street, Suite 900, Sacramento.]

 

Both in-person and virtual meetings will occur from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Those indicated as virtual will occur over Zoom and a link will be provided on the agenda.

 

The 2024 WRCA Annual Conference will be at the: Hyatt Regency Orange County.

 

Please save the date for our 2024 meeting dates:

 

1. January 19 – in person

2. March 8 – virtual

3. March 22 – in person

4. April 12 – virtual

5. May 10 – in person

6. May 31 – virtual

7. June 21 – virtual

8. August 9 – virtual

9. September 16 – in person (at annual conference)

Apr
16
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Apr 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Apr
25
Thu
WateReuse Texas Board Meeting
Apr 25 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
May
10
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
May 10 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Please find below the 2024 schedule for the Legislative-Regulatory Committee. All in-person meetings will be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Sacramento offices located at: 1121 L Street, Suite 900, Sacramento.]

 

Both in-person and virtual meetings will occur from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Those indicated as virtual will occur over Zoom and a link will be provided on the agenda.

 

The 2024 WRCA Annual Conference will be at the: Hyatt Regency Orange County.

 

Please save the date for our 2024 meeting dates:

 

1. January 19 – in person

2. March 8 – virtual

3. March 22 – in person

4. April 12 – virtual

5. May 10 – in person

6. May 31 – virtual

7. June 21 – virtual

8. August 9 – virtual

9. September 16 – in person (at annual conference)

May
16
Thu
WateReuse California Agricultural Reuse Committee
May 16 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
May
17
Fri
Northern California Chapter Meeting
May 17 all-day

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