
From Water Diversion to Water Reuse – Learn Why Water Reuse is the Wave of the Future

Washington Update

FY 2020 Funding for Water Recycling One Step Closer
Federal Agencies Cite Water Recycling as a Joint Priority for Drought Resilience
Meeting of the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems to be held at the 34th WateReuse Symposium
Regulators from nine states and the District of Columbia will participate in a meeting of the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems the afternoons of September 9 and 10 during the 34th WateReuse Symposium. In May, WateReuse assumed responsibility for administering the Commission as the founding partners concluded their two-year commitment to advance smart and science-based policy and practice on onsite non-potable reuse. The administrative management of the Commission has transitioned to WateReuse, with the SFPUC continuing to serve as the Commission’s Chair. Updates will be provided as the Commission charts is course for 2020 and beyond.
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: San Bernardino Offers Financial Incentives for Recycled Water, Stormwater Capture
A new program is being offered by the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (SBVMWD) providing a financial incentive to local water agencies for projects that produce recycled water or capture stormwater. The Local Resource Investment Program provides a financial incentive for twenty years to any agency in SBVMWD’s service area. The East Valley Water District’s Sterling Natural Resource Center recycled 11,000 acre-feet of water, for example. They will receive $173 for every acre-foot of recycled water provided to the region, or approximately $2 million per year for twenty years. Read More.
Florida: Tampa Considers New Potable Reuse Project
WateReuse Association member the City of Tampa will present a plan to the City Council later this month for a new potable reuse program. Tampa currently reclaims about three million gallons of water each day for lawn irrigation in South Tampa. A planned expansion of the irrigation program was rejected in 2009 due to an estimated $1.3 billion cost to expand the purple pipe network. The proposed potable reuse project would make use of the 55 million gallons a day of treated effluent pumped into Tampa Bay. Read More.
New Laws Could Expand Recycling of Produced Water in Permian Basin
New laws in New Mexico and Texas make it clear who is responsible for wastewater produced by oil and gas companies and encourage companies to reuse it or sell it to water management companies for recycling. Passed into law this spring, New Mexico House Bill 546 and Texas House Bill 3246 determined that oil and gas operators own the produced water and they could sell it to recyclers, who then take over legal responsibility for the brine. The New Mexico law went into effect on July 1 while Texas law goes into effect on September 1. At least a dozen water recycling companies operate in the Permian Basin. Read More.
Members Recognized as Forward-Thinking Utilities of the Future
WateReuse Update
How Can You Offer Recognition to Recycled Water Customers? Participate in the Recycled Water User Network
Are you interested in recognizing recycled water customers as community water stewards or offering an incentive for new customers to come onboard? Participate in the Recycled Water User Network, a members-only network for businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations that use recycled water, including customers of water utilities and organizations that recycle water onsite. The network gives businesses, governments and nonprofits that use recycled water the opportunity to receive a green designation, Water StarTM, and access to information and resources on recycled water. Learn More.
Conferences and Events
Podcast: WateReuse Board Member Offers Global Perspective on Water Reuse
Why is water reuse more successful in some countries than others? WateReuse Association Board Member Jon Freedman, global government affairs leader at Suez, offers his perspective in the latest edition of the Brave Blue World podcast. With Indian city Chennai and others on the brink of a ‘Day Zero’ drought situation, could cleaning up and reusing water be the answer? Tune in to hear Freedman’s perspectives on the obstacles to more widespread water reuse across the world.
Upcoming Events
After the membership meeting ends (around 6:15 pm), we will gather folks interested in reuse at Truck Yard Houston for a Reuse Happy Hour co-hosted with the WEAT Reuse Committee.
Truck Yard Houston is a 3-minute walk from the convention center at 2118 Lamar St. Houston, TX 77003.
If you have trouble finding us that evening, please call 832 619-9496.
For more information contact José Ramirez
Tour of UF Cogeneration Facility & Technical Presentations. Lunch Provided.
UF Cogeneration Tour: 8am–10am
Technical Sessions: 10:30am–4:30pm
Colorado’s Challenging Water Future: Where are we with Water Reuse?
Join us at the 2023 WateReuse Colorado Conference on May 2 2023! The conference will bring together water reuse professionals to share the latest research, innovation, and experiences to address the growing need for water recycling in Colorado and across the country. WRCO is pleased to conduct this event in collaboration with CU Boulder. Make plans to attend the conference for learning, networking, and engaging in discussions with the experts of reuse community, while enjoying the view of beautiful Boulder Flatirons!
Please contact Jennifer West for details