February 18, 2019
Washington Update
Join Hundreds of Water Professionals from Across the Country for Water Week 2019
President Trump Signs Legislation on FY 2019 Appropriations Legislation – Including EPA Funding
Title XVI-WIIN Water Recycling Bill Introduced in the House
WateReuse Submits Recommendations to Army Corps of Engineers for Implementing America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
Senate Permanently Reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund
On February 12, the Senate voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which funds, among other conservation efforts, fish and wildlife habitat restoration. It also authorizes or directs the transfer of ownership of Bureau of Reclamation projects to states, tribes, and other non-federal entities. The House is expected to take up and pass the measure before sending it to the President for his signature.
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Members!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:
California: WateReuse California Supports Recognition of Environmental Benefits of Water Reuse
WateReuse California signed onto a joint letter to Felicia Marcus, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, with recommendations on how to recognize the environmental benefits of recycled water within the current reporting requirements in the state’s recycled water policy. The letter recommends adding an “Other Beneficial Uses” category to separate the reporting of recycled water discharges from the discharge of other treated wastewater. The letter states that recycled water use in natural systems and habitat supports beneficial uses and should not be characterized as primarily a discharge of waste. Read More.
California: Legislation to Make It Easier for Breweries and Wineries to Recycle their Water
Association News
New Issue of World Water Features Commentary by WateReuse Executive Director
Recording Available for February Webcast: Community Engagement for Potable Reuse
The WateReuse Association hosted a webcast last Wednesday, Community Engagement for Potable Reuse Success, presenting the latest techniques in engagement and public education to build support for potable reuse. Panelists from California, Colorado, and Texas described key elements that have helped their past efforts and discussed new outreach tactics they are relying on to take their outreach efforts to the next level. View the recording.
Research Update
Research Survey to Uncover Career Challenges for Women in the Water Sector
Researchers from Boston University, Portland State University and University of Rhode Island have opened a first-of-its-kind survey that focuses solely on career advancement of women in the water sector. The survey is open to women and men at any career stage and the deadline to respond is March 14, 2019.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: What are the Best Opportunities for Industrial Water Reuse?
Please join us on March 13 at 2 pm eastern to learn which industries are investing in water reuse and in what ways. Learn about new data from Bluefield Research that will reveal reuse strategies for key industries, drivers for investment in reuse, the best geographic opportunities for industrial reuse, how industries are collaborating with municipalities, and more. 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!
Save the Date: 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California
Mark your calendar for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium is in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2019. This year’s theme is “Collaborate to Innovate.” We will showcase recycled water collaborations among utilities, farmers, and industry; regulators working together at both the state and federal level; sustainability; public/private partnerships; and, for the first time, the latest in reuse research led by the Water Research Foundation. Learn More.
Upcoming Events
Webcast
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific; 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Fee: WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Singapore is a small island nation and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. In the early years of its nation building, with limited land to collect and store rainwater, Singapore faced drought, floods and water pollution. These challenges inspired the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s National Water Agency, to strategize and seek innovative ideas, develop capabilities and secure a sustainable supply of water. Today, PUB has developed a diversified and sustainable water supply strategy for Singapore with the Four National Taps. The Four National Taps are local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water.
This Webinar focuses on Singapore’s third National Tap, NEWater. NEWater refers to the high-grade reclaimed water that is produced using advanced membrane and ultraviolet technologies. It is primarily supplied to non-domestic sectors such as wafer fabrication plants, petrochemical plants, manufacturing industries and commercial buildings for industrial and air-conditioning purposes. A small percentage of NEWater is also injected into the reservoirs before being treated at the waterworks for drinking water supply. Participants of this Webinar will learn about the development of NEWater in Singapore, including R&D efforts and strategies to overcome various operational challenges.
Presenters
Bingrui Liu has been the Operations Engineer at Kranji NEWater Factory since 2017 after graduating from Boston University with a BA(Hons) in Chemistry.
Joelyn Tan joined the Operations team at Bedok NEWater Factory (BNF) in 2018, bringing along her technical knowledge as well as experience with the latest industry innovations.
Melanie Tan was the Plant Manager for Bedok NEWater Factory from 2010 – 2013 and will be facilitating the session. She currently serves as the Northern California Reuse Practice Leader for Kennedy Jenks.
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
This webcast will summarize the California Environmental Flows Framework and its application in the Los Angeles River. Across the country, state and local agencies are promoting water reuse and recycling to conserve water resources. Reuse and recycling of treated wastewater can result in a reduction of instream flow and can impact existing and future instream beneficial uses, setting up potential conflicts between policies aimed at promoting reuse, protecting water quality, and managing ecological resources. Agencies in California have come together to develop a statewide environmental flows framework that can be used to establish seasonal flow criteria. This framework is currently being applied in the Los Angeles River watershed to better evaluate the cumulative impacts of potential flow reductions associated with several water reuse and water capture projects. The project will provide a science-based approach for assessing flow necessary to sustain beneficial uses. The project outcomes will be used to help establish technically sound flow recommendations and evaluate the consequences of alternative flow scenarios for the LA River. This project may also serve as a model for assessing similar situations in other river systems across the state.
Presenter
Dr. Eric Stein is a head of the Biology Department at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). Dr. Stein oversees a variety of projects related to in-stream and coastal water quality, bioassessment, hydromodification, watershed modeling, and assessment of wetlands and other aquatic resources. His research focuses on effects of human activities on the condition of aquatic ecosystems, and on developing tools to better assess and manage those effects.
WOW! Wonders of Water Brownie Journey Jumpstart
Our event is a series of activities and presentations for Brownie Girl Scouts to earn a badge called Wow! Wonders of Water Journey – LOVE Water. Girl Scouts can sign up through the council events page. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Erica Marti (erica.marti@unlv.edu).
Overview of activities:
- learning about the water cycle through active movement and visual demonstration
- learning about water pollution, especially how our community is affected by stormwater runoff
- learning about the unique water system in the Las Vegas Valley
Our event is now posted on the Girl Scout events page. Please share with anyone who has a Girl Scout (2nd, 3rd grades).
The Annual WateReuse California Conference brings together utilities, businesses, policymakers, and large water users from across the state to examine the latest issues and technologies in water recycling.