Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – August 16, 2021

August 16 2021

Catch-Up on Expert Discussion with WateReuse Symposium White Paper Series

Washington Update

Action Needed: Help Keep Water Recycling a Top Priority by Taking Action Today!

Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Package and $3.5 Trillion Budget Framework, Includes Water Recycling

Bureau of Reclamation Announces New Funding Availability for Water Reuse

The Bureau of Reclamation announced three WaterSMART grant opportunities for water recycling and other projects that increase water supply sustainability and drought resiliency in the West. Funding is available in three program areas: Drought Resiliency Projects, Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, and the new Environmental Water Resources Projects. Drought Resiliency Projects applications are due October 5, 2021 and require a minimum of 50% non-federal cost-share. Water and Energy Efficiency Grants applications are due November 3, 2021 and require a minimum of 50% non-federal cost-share. Environmental Water Resource Projects is a new funding category for projects that benefit plant and animal species, fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and ecosystems directly impacted by water resources management. Applications close December 9, 2021, and projects are eligible for up to 75% of federal funding. Read more.

WRAP Update: EPA Releases Enhanced Aquifer Recharge of Stormwater Report

As a part of National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) Action 7.4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a state of the science report on enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) of stormwater. The report summarizes scientific and technical literature on best practices and current state-of-the science in key areas, including factors affecting recharge volumes, risks of water quality degradation, and knowledge gaps. This report will be the first of three reports under this action, all relating to aquifer storage and recovery practices. Read more.

Your Input Needed Today: Communication Survey on Pharmaceuticals 

To support Water Reuse Action Plan, Action 2.9, the WateReuse California Communications Collaborative Group is gathering information about how water and/or wastewater agencies address CECs and pharmaceuticals when discussing water reuse with stakeholders and the public. Through the survey, the action team hopes to better understand public concerns, how they’re addressed, and if there are needs for additional information materials and resources. Please take a few minutes to respond to the survey. The deadline to complete the survey is Monday, August 16 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

Onsite Reuse Resources: NBRC Factsheet Highlights State Policy Updates and Research Resources

The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems (NBRC) released an updated factsheet detailing the commission’s principles, research reports, future priorities, and state policy and regulatory updates. The NBRC brings together a coalition of public health agencies and water and wastewater utilities from 13 states, the District of Columbia, the City of Vancouver, and the City of Toronto. The commission works to advance best management practices to support the use of onsite non-potable water systems within individual buildings or at the local scale. Learn more.

AZ: WateReuse Arizona to Provide Technical Support for DPR Rulemaking

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) will be advancing direct potable reuse (DPR) rules, which will provide greater clarity around requirements for DPR projects and streamline the permitting and regulatory process. WateReuse Arizona will provide technical and other support for ADEQ’s rulemaking process. Past support has included a guidance framework for direct potable reuse. With the growing drought, utilities like Tucson Water, Scottsdale Water, Phoenix, and others are being recognized for water recycling programs that increase resiliency. Read more.

CA: Pure Water Oceanside Awarded Federal Funding for Potable Reuse Project

The City of Oceanside was recently awarded a $1.7 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI WIIN program for its Pure Water Oceanside project. The $67 million project, which will purify enough recycled water to provide more than 32 percent of the drinking water for Oceanside, has received more than $10 million in federal and state funding to support construction. The project is expected to be completed in 2022. Read more.

FL: Jacksonville Well Positioned as State Mandates Beneficial Use of Water Resources

Northeast Florida’s Not-For-Profit, Community-Owned Utility JEA spoke about their water reuse pilot project and plans for indirect potable reuse. However, JEA’s main focus is on community education and outreach to ensure project acceptance. With Florida’s new beneficial use requirement, cities like Jacksonville are well-prepared. Read more.

SC: WateReuse Members Hold Formational Meeting for New South Carolina Section

With eight South Carolina utilities represented, a group of WateReuse members met last week during the South Carolina Environmental Conference to begin the process of officially forming a new State Section of the WateReuse Association. The group discussed next steps in establishing section governance. Stay tuned for additional updates and be on the lookout for a new WateReuse section in South Carolina!

WateReuse California Partners with Lawrence Livermore National Lab for Strategic Analysis of Water Recycling

WateReuse members in California are invited to participate in a survey that will help researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) assess the rate of technology maturation for water recycling technologies. LLNL will explore ways to understand how novel water resource recovery technologies have been adopted and advanced historically. As part of the research, LLNL will also investigate new technologies that are under development, focusing on water recycling to understand factors driving cost reduction over time. The deadline to respond to the survey has been extended to September 30, 2021. Take the survey now!

Research Update

Climate Change Report Highlights the Need for Mitigation Strategies Such as Water Reuse

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its sixth assessment report, which provides evidence that mitigation strategies such as water recycling will become even more important. The report details that, “global surface temperature will continue to increase until at least the mid-century under all emissions scenarios considered,” noting further that climate system changes such as, “the frequency and intensity of hot extremes, marine heatwaves, and heavy precipitation,” as well as agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions become increasingly larger with this warming. A full synthesis report will be released in 2022. To learn more about how investing in water reuse supports climate change mitigation, adaptation, and economic resiliency, read our policy brief.

Researchers Create New Desalination Technology to Increase Efficiency

Engineers from the Ural Federal University and colleagues from Iraq developed a desalination technology that utilizes solar energy for accelerated water evaporation. The researchers believe that the simples design and low costs will be of interest to areas with high solar potential that are experiencing water shortages. Read more.

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

Visit the WateReuse Webcast Library for On-Demand Technical Education

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..

Interactive Map on State Water Reuse Policies and Regulations

Do you need information about water reuse policies and regulations from across the United States? Visit the state policy map on our website to find summaries of the regulatory landscape in key states, as well as links to specific polices and regulations. Clicking on a particular state opens a pop-up window with detailed information about the state. WateReuse invites members to help us fill in gaps in knowledge using the comment box provided on the page. The map will be updated periodically as new information is received and/or states update their regulations. View the state policy map here.

WateReuse Conferences, Webcasts and Events

Two Weeks Left to Register for the 2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference

Join us for the 2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference, September 19-21, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Los Angles or virtually from the comfort of your office. In-person registration includes access to the on-demand, virtual content. The agenda includes technical sessions, panel presentations, two tours, and many networking opportunities. The advanced registration deadline is September 1, 2021. Learn more and register.

WateReuse Pacific Northwest to Present Water Reuse Track at PNCWA Conference

WateReuse Pacific Northwest (WR-PNW) and the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA) are partnering to bring members a 2021 conference technical program that includes sustainable approaches to water reuse as one of many one-water solutions. WR-PNW will present a water reuse track at the PNCWA Annual Conference to benefit members, advance ongoing innovation, and showcase industry collaboration. The track will occur Tuesday, September 14, with options for single-day attendance packages available. Please join our one-day track and engage in our common vision to advance regional water reuse. The full conference will include in-person and virtual attendance formats, September 13-15. Learn more and register.

Super Saver Opens October 4:  37th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Antonio, Texas

Mark your calendar for the 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium to be held March 5-9, 2022 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas. A special super saver registration rate will be offered exclusively to WateReuse Association members beginning Monday, October 4, 2021—before early-bird registration opens to the general public. If you normally take advantage of early-bird registration discounts, this year you will be able to register earlier and save even more. Attendees will have the options to attend in-person in San Antonio, stream the sessions online, or both. This is a not-to-be missed opportunity to learn about the latest trends in water recycling and network with colleagues.

World Water-Tech North America Virtual Summit, October 5-6, 2021

The WateReuse Association is pleased to support the World Water-Tech North America Summit, connecting the global water ecosystem on October 5-6. 

Join 350 stakeholders driving change across the water value chain, with speakers from utilities (public and private), billion-dollar venture funds, international engineering giants, and technology companies (start-ups and unicorns). YOU’RE GUARANTEED hot debates, new ideas and fresh faces!

This incredible group of cross-industry voices will come together to trade insights about how to accelerate watershed resilience, and identify opportunities to transform the industry through innovation and investment. Will you be joining them? ​​​​​​

Save a further 10% with The WateReuse Association’s discount code: WRA10

Join WateReuse

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.

Join Today