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February 10, 2020

Not to be Missed — Reaching New Heights in Water Reuse: 2020 Annual WateReuse Symposium, Submit Your Abstracts Today

Do you have knowledge to share on water recycling? Examples of successful water recycling projects? Critical research discoveries related to the science of reuse? If you do, the WateReuse Association  invites you to submit a technical abstract for the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium, September 13-16, 2020 in the mile-high city of Denver, Colorado. The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the nation’s premier conference on water recycling – attracting water professionals from across the country for four days of knowledge-sharing, networking, and fun! The 2020 Symposium is being planned in collaboration with The Water Research Foundation and will include presentations on the latest reuse-related research. Abstracts are due February 18, 2020.

Washington Update

Administration’s FY 2021 Budget Request Expected Today

Department of Energy Announces $1 Million Prize for Water Recycling Technology

Annual Reports for WIFIA and the U.S.EPA Highlight Value of Water Reuse

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program annual report last week. Through 2019, the WIFIA program has financed more than $3.5 billion in loans, including water recycling projects sponsored by WateReuse Association members. EPA has received $1.4 billion in loan requests for water reuse projects since its inception in 2014 and announced in 2019 that water reuse was one of its funding priorities for the year. EPA also released a 2019 Year in Review for all of the agency’s programs that highlights its efforts to promote greater water recycling nationwide and facilitate the development of the National Water Reuse Action Plan.

Be an Advocate for Reuse: Join Us for National Water Policy Fly-In

Make plans to join the WateReuse Association in Washington, DC April 27-28 for the National Water Policy Fly-In during Water Week 2020. Presented jointly by WateReuse, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Water Environment Federation, and the Water Research Foundation, the Fly-In includes networking, education, and Capitol Hill visits to advocate on behalf of water utilities. Water Week is an opportunity to advance policy priorities, including greater federal investment in water infrastructure, and a celebration of the role utilities play in communities nationwide. WateReuse encourages our members to participate so that together we can ensure that recycled water is an integral part of the Water Week message. Register today to reserve your space.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

California: WRCA Provides Comments on Governor’s Water Resilience Portfolio

Last week, WateReuse California (WRCA) provided comments on Governor Gavin Newsom’s draft 2020 Water Resilience Portfolio, which featured many recommendations contained in the California WateReuse Action Plan. Over the last six months, members of the WRCA Board of Trustees and our California  Managing Director, Jennifer West, met with the California State Water Board, Cal-EPA, the California Resources Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to discuss reuse issues and make recommendations for what should be included in the portfolio. View Comment Letter.

California: Pure Water Monterey Secures Final State Approval to Begin Operating

WateReuse Association member Pure Water Monterey secured the final state approval for its potable reuse project and is poised to begin operating by mid-February. The $126 million project is designed to convert a variety of wastewater sources ranging from Peninsula municipal wastewater to Salinas Valley agricultural wash water and runoff into 3,500 acre-feet of potable water per year. The project is required to store a 1,000 acre-foot reserve in the basin before any water is extracted for use, a process expected to take about three months. Read More.

Colorado: WateReuse Colorado Releases Guidance for DPR Rules

WateReuse Colorado (WRCO) recently announced the release of Guidelines for Direct Potable Reuse in Colorado, an effort to provide expert guidance to the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. WRCO sponsored an Independent Advisory Panel administered by the National Water Research Institute to develop this consensus report that includes recommendations for regulations, policy, and guidance to help define the path toward DPR. Currently, no state regulations prohibit or govern DPR in Colorado. Learn more.

WateReuse Members Receive NACWA’s National Environmental Achievement Awards

Twelve WateReuse Association members were recognized for their outstanding commitment to environmental protection with a National Environmental Achievement Award presented by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) last week at its Winter Conference in Atlanta. Members were recognized for distinguished leadership, operations and environmental performs, education programs, public service, watershed collaboration, and workforce development. View the List of Honorees.

WateReuse Communications Tools and Resources

How Can You Offer Recognition to Your 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 Networka 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 STAR®, and access to information and resources on recycled water. Learn More.

Conferences and Events

Examine Local Reuse Issues: Participate in a State WateReuse Conference

Make plans to participate in conferences and events planned by WateReuse State Sections to highlight local water reuse challenges and solutions. WateReuse Nevada will host a half day workshop in Las Vegas on February 11 and WateReuse California hosts its Annual Conference March 15-17 in San Francisco. Later in the year, WateReuse Pacific Northwest will host a conference May 18-20 in Woodinville, Washington and WateReuse Texas convenes its Annual Conference July 20-21 in Frisco. Learn More.

Webcast: National Water Reuse Action Plan: Collaboration and Implementation

Join us March 4 for an inside look at the national Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP), an effort to foster greater consideration of water reuse facilitated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with other governmental and non-governmental water sector organizations. Staff from EPA will describe the plan, its genesis, and the all-important implementation phase. Register today to learn how you can stay engaged and collaborate on advancing water reuse as part of an integrated water resources management approach. Register Now!

Creating the Water Workforce of the Future Webinar Series: People Are a Utility’s Most Important Asset

Recruiting and retaining a talented and diverse workforce is one of the most important challenges facing today’s water and wastewater utilities. It often takes many partners to create a truly sustainable and motivated workforce. Join EPA and other partners on February 18 to hear how utilities can collaborate to reach the next generation of the water workforce. 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

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