February 11, 2019
Washington Update
Calling all WateReuse Members: Join Us on Capitol Hill for Water Week 2019
Make your plans to visit Washington, DC April 3-4 for the
National Water Policy Fly-In. Held during Water Week 2019, March 31–April 6, the National Water Policy Fly-In brings together the nation’s water sector to speak with one voice to Congress and the Administration. With a new Congress in place, your attendance and engagement are more critical than ever. WateReuse urges members to join us in Washington DC to ensure that the water reuse message is an integral part of the Water Week message.
Building off the momentum of major advocacy wins in 2018— including the bipartisan passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act that incorporated key provisions beneficial to water recycling —and the significant potential for congressional focus on infrastructure during the next session, it is crucial that policymakers hear directly from you about the specific challenges to your utility and community.
Join us as we call on the Administration and the new Congress to work in partnership with the sector and invest in our nation’s water infrastructure, including drinking water, clean water, and recycled water. With an engaging format and affordable price point, you won’t want to miss the next Fly-In, the most significant water policy event of 2019!
Congressional Hearings Highlight Water Recycling, Water Infrastructure Funding
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives held two water-related hearings: the Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on climate change, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on America’s infrastructure. Members of Congress and witnesses addressed water issues at both hearings. During the Natural Resources Committee hearing, Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) highlighted the importance of water recycling and reuse, and noted that she will be fighting to significantly increase funding for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI water recycling program.
During the Transportation and Infrastructure hearing, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti discussed his city’s investment in water recycling, and noted that federal support for reuse and recycling is critical. Both Garcetti and Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz spoke about the importance of the Clean and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs. Another witness, Angela Lee, Director of Charlotte Water in North Carolina, urged Congress to increase funding for the SRF programs as well as for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.
Five WateReuse Members Receive Federal Funding for Water Recycling
The Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday that it is awarding $26.6 million to five WateReuse Association members for authorized Title XVI water reclamation and reuse projects. The funding will be used to improve flexibility during water shortages and diversify the water supply.
Title XVI Authorized Projects are authorized by Congress and are selected to receive funding for planning, design and/or construction activities through a competitive process. The five California member selected for funding are:
- City of Escondido, Membrane Filtration Reverse Osmosis Facility Project, $5,000,000
- City of San Diego, Pure Water San Diego Program, $9,000,000
- City of San Jose, South Bay Water Recycling Phase 1B Infrastructure Improvements, $2,545,471
- Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Horsethief Canyon Wastewater Reclamation Facility Expansion and Upgrade Project, $2,693,455
- Padre Dam Municipal Water District, East County Advanced Water Purification Program, $7,392,351
Title XVI is the only federal program that provides funding specifically for water reuse projects in 17 western states and Hawaii. Participants can use the funds for planning, design and construction of water reuse projects in partnership with local government entities. As part of this round of funding, the Bureau of Reclamation also awarded $8,668,500 to the Hi-Desert Water District for its Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation Project.
Trump Announces His Choice for Secretary of Interior
On February 4, President Trump announced that he would nominate David Bernhardt to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI). Bernhardt currently serves as the Acting Secretary, following the resignation of Ryan Zinke. He formerly represented oil companies as a private lobbyist. The DOI is responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and natural resources; it oversees such agencies as the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Park Service.
President Calls for Bipartisan Action on Infrastructure in State of the Union Address
In his address to the nation, President Trump expressed the need to “rebuild” and invest in America’s infrastructure, though he did not offer further details. A number of Members of Congress were quick to agree while also arguing that a rebuilding will be impossible without a long-term federal funding mechanism. President Trump’s previous infrastructure proposal depended largely on investment from the private sector.
“Both parties should be able to unite for a great rebuilding of America’s crumbling infrastructure,” the president said. “I know that Congress is eager to pass an infrastructure bill—and I am eager to work with you on legislation to deliver new and important infrastructure investment, including investments in the cutting-edge industries of the future.”
Congress Finalizes Committee Rosters
Last week, congressional leaders filled the remaining open spots on the congressional committees and subcommittee most relevant to water policy. Below are the chairs and ranking members of each of those committees and subcommittees:
| Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee |
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House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee |
| Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chair |
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ranking Member |
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Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Chair |
Mike Simpson (R-ID), Ranking Member |
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| Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee |
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House Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee |
| Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair |
Tom Udall (D-NM), Ranking Member |
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Betty McCollum (D-MN), Chair |
David Joyce (R-OH), Ranking Member |
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| Senate Environment & Public Works Committee |
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House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee |
| John Barrasso (R-WY), Chair |
Tom Carper (D-DE), Ranking Member |
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Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair |
Sam Graves (R-MO), Ranking Member |
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| Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee |
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House Natural Resources Committee |
| Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chair |
Joe Manchin (D-WV), Ranking Member |
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Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair |
Rob Bishop (R-UT), Ranking Member |
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| House T&I Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment |
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House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife |
| Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Chair |
Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Ranking Member |
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Jarred Huffman (D-CA), Chair |
Tom McClintock (R-CA), Ranking Member |
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Members!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:
California: Pure Water Monterey Project is Nearing Completion
The Pure Water Monterey advanced treatment plant is expected to begin producing a new source of potable water this summer. A project of WateReuse Association members Monterey One Water and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, the project is designed to produce up to 3,500 acre-feet of highly treated water per year to the Monterey Peninsula for injection into the Seaside basin and later extraction and use at a cost of $85 million. The project will also provide 200 acre-feet per year of reserve water for the Seaside basin and eventually up to 4,400 acre-feet per year in additional tertiary treated irrigation water for Salinas Valley agricultural use. Read More.
Association News
WateReuse Executive Director Participates on “One Water” Policy Panel
WateReuse Association Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi was featured on a panel, Collaborating for a One Water Approach, at last week’s National Association of Clean Water Agencies’ 2019 Winter Conference, The Clean Water Act/Safe Drinking Water Act Nexus…Conflict or Collaboration. Sinicropi joined executives from the other major water sector associations to discuss the teamwork required when complex, multifaceted Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) issues are triggered. The panelists discussed efforts to bolster a sustainable workforce, increasing federal funding levels for drinking water and clean water, as well as water affordability. Sinicropi was joined on the panel by David Rager, President, American Water Works Association; Claudio Ternieden, Senior Director for Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships, Water Environment Federation; Rob Renner, Chief Executive Officer, The Water Research Foundation; Diane VanDe Hei, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies; and Radhika Fox, Chief Executive Officer, US Water Alliance. Adam Krantz, NACWA’s Chief Executive Officer, moderated the discussion.
Green Industry Designation Available to WateReuse Utility Members
All member utilities of the WateReuse Association have free access to the Recycled Water User Network and are eligible to receive a green industry designation Water StarTM and the Water StarTM label, an excellent marketing tool to promote your commitment as stewards of local water resources and to raise the profile of water recycling. A 20 minute presentation is available for viewing, and an invitation letter describes how you can join the over 40 utilities that have already signed up as a Partner.
Conferences and Events
Record Interest in Participating in the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium
The WateReuse Association received a record 245 abstracts for the
34th Annual WateReuse Symposium taking place in San Diego, California, September 8-11, 2019. The high interest in presenting at the Symposium reflects the growing interest in water recycling across the country and the Annual WateReuse Symposium’s position as the nation’s premier conference on water recycling. In addition, this year’s Symposium will include, for the first time, the latest in reuse research led by the Water Research Foundation. This year’s theme is “Collaborate to Innovate” and the program will showcase recycled water collaborations among utilities, farmers, and industry; regulators working together at both the state and federal level; sustainability; and public/private partnerships. Make plans to join us in September for the water reuse event of the year. Registration will open in the Spring.
Webcast: Community Engagement for Potable Reuse Success
Please join us on February 14, Valentine’s Day, to learn about the latest techniques in engagement and public education that will help your community fall in love with potable reuse. The water professionals on this panel have one common objective: to ensure a potable reuse project will be evaluated on its own merits and not dismissed as dangerous and too risky to pursue. The presenters will describe key elements that have helped their past efforts and discuss new outreach tactics they are relying on to take their outreach efforts to the next level. Register Now!
Register for the 2019 WateReuse California Annual Conference
Registration is open for the 2019 WateReuse California Annual Conference to be held March 17-19, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Garden Grove, CA. The conference is designed for individuals, organizations, and agencies that are associated with or interested in the design, management, operation, and use of water recycling facilities and projects in California. Register Now!
Upcoming Events
Apr
15
Wed
Presented in partnership with The Water Research Foundation, this presentation will cover key components of successful onsite non-potable water systems.
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
WateReuse Members and WRF Subscribers: Free
Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Register Now!
Across the nation, onsite non-potable water systems (ONWS) are becoming increasingly common as a means to conserve and recycle water. Ensuring consistent implementation is one of the principal challenges for ONWS programs, particularly when multiple, new stakeholders are involved. Water Research Foundation project 4909 sought to identify key knowledge gaps and provide the resources needed to aid in the smooth implementation of ONWS. Through interaction with the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems, the project team identified common pitfalls that have impacted the design, operation, permitting, and implementation of ONWS.
This presentation will cover key components of a successful ONWS program including: (1) treatment goals that control public health risk, (2) effective design of both treatment and non-treatment (i.e., management) barriers, (3) strategies for effective operation and monitoring of ONWS systems, and (4) frameworks for regulating and permitting ONWS. The goal of this presentation is to convey the importance of stakeholder knowledge for consistent protection of public health at ONWS installations. This information will be presented through a survey of the projects two main deliverables: the comprehensive guidance manual and interactive training modules.
Presenters
- Brian Pecson, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Engineer, Trussell Technologies
- Brie Post, P.E., Senior Engineer, Trussell Technologies
- Paula Kehoe, Director of Water Resources, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
https://watereuse.org/civicrm/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fregister&id=260&reset=1
Apr
21
Tue
Are water recycling utilities well prepared to address the COVID-19 crisis and other potential future risks?
Join Us!
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
WateReuse Members: Free
Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Register Now!
The America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) requires all utilities serving 3,300 or more people to complete a risk and resilience assessment (RRA) for their water systems, followed by the completion of an emergency response plan (ERP). The RRA’s are part of an overall effort to improve the ability of water systems to prepare for and respond to events from water resource limitations to cyber attacks, from extreme weather to an assault on the utility, and from contamination to treatment and distribution infrastructure, among others. In short, it is an all-hazards approach to managing risk.
This webcast will discuss how water reuse interacts with the RRAs and highlight some the ways that risks are viewed and managed from an AWIA perspective. It will also discuss how we are interpreting and acting upon risk in the midst the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and how we can use RRAs to prepare for future risks. This webcast will offer a fresh look at risk and resilience through the lens of preparation and response. The presentation will begin with an overview of AWIA requirements, RRAs, and the role of water reuse in those assessments followed by a focus on risk and risk perceptions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presenters
Dr. Ben Stanford is an Associate Vice President with Hazen and Sawyer in the Denver office where he leads the implementation of innovations in water, wastewater, and water reuse. He is currently leading or supporting over a dozen risk and resilience projects in FL, NC, TX, CO, AZ, and CA.
Dr. Douglas Crawford-Brown is Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was Founding Director of the Institute for the Environment, and at the University of Cambridge, where he was Director of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research.
https://watereuse.org/civicrm/?page=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fregister&id=262&reset=1
May
28
Thu
Section Meeting & Webinar at Stantec
– featuring Brian Biesemeyer, Scottsdale Water “Arizona’s First Direct Potable Reuse System”
