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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

Jun
13
Tue
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Jun 13 all-day
Our next bimonthly meeting of the Los Angeles WateReuse Chapter will be hosted by the Water Replenishment District of Southern California, and the meeting will be held at: Albert Robles Center (ARC) for Water Recycling and Environmental Learning 4320 San Gabriel River Pkwy Pico Rivera, CA 90660 Many thanks to PERC Water for also sponsoring our lunch, which will begin at 11:00 a.m. The formal meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. A tour of the ARC will follow the formal meeting, starting at 1:15 p.m. If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP by Friday, June 9th to Jennifer Jacobus via e-mail at jjacobus@rinconconsultants.com. Please indicate if you plan on joining for lunch, the formal meeting, and/or the tour, so that we may get an accurate count. There will also be an option to participate in the meeting virtually. A Zoom meeting registration link will be sent out with the agenda about one week prior. If there are others in your organization interested in attending, please forward a copy of this meeting notice to them.
Jun
15
Thu
Orange County Chapter Meeting @ South Coast Water District
Jun 15 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Jun
16
Fri
IN PERSON/HYBRID Sacramento Meeting
Jun 16 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Jun
20
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Jun 20 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Jun
21
Wed
MAWRA Monthly Meeting
Jun 21 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Jun
22
Thu
WRTX Board Meeting
Jun 22 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Innovations in Agricultural Water Reuse: Successes, Challenges, and Funding Opportunities
Jun 22 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Innovations in Agricultural Water Reuse: Successes, Challenges, and Funding Opportunities

1 pm PT | 4 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, agriculture accounts for more than 80% of the nation’s water consumption. Water reuse is uniquely suited to provide resilience, local control, environmental protection, and high water quality for this critical demand. Join our webcast to learn about two innovative approaches to securing America’s food supply with water reuse, strategies for overcoming obstacles, and gain insight on how USDA conservation programs can be a valuable resource in funding these projects.

Presenters:

  • Dr. Chris Hay, Conservation Design Scientist, Iowa Soybean Association
  • Julie Hawkins, State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
  • Mike McCullough, Director of External Affairs, Monterey One Water
Jun
29
Thu
WRFL Board Meeting
Jun 29 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Jul
18
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Jul 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Jul
20
Thu
MAWRA Monthly Meeting
Jul 20 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

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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.

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