
Member-Only Registration Opens March 26 for 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium
Get ready to register for this year’s WateReuse Symposium! Learn about the dramatic expansion of water recycling throughout the United States and stay up-to-date on the latest water reuse technology, research, and policy approaches at the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium, September 13-16, 2020, in Denver, Colorado. Organized around the theme Reaching New Heights in Water Reuse, the 2020 Symposium will feature a comprehensive technical program, plenary sessions that provide perspective on the future of water reuse, and an exciting keynote presentation by Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities. Following last year’s sellout Symposium, WateReuse is offering an exclusive, member-only registration period beginning March 26. Mark your calendar today so that you can reserve your space at the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium!
Washington Update

Watch Live this Thursday: EPA Release 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 we can ensure that recycled water is an integral part of the Water Week message. Register today to reserve your space.
EPA Announces Proposed Decision to Regulate PFOA and PFOS in Drinking Water
On February 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed decision to regulate perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. EPA also proposed regulations on imported products that contain certain persistent long-chain PFAS chemicals that are used as surface coatings. The two proposals are milestones under the EPA’s PFAS Action Plan, a collection of steps the agency is taking to address PFAS and to protect public health. EPA will seek comment on these preliminary determinations for 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
GAO Report Examines Resilience Planning for Utilities
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released an analysis of federal technical and financial assistance strategies to make utilities that produce drinking water and treat wastewater more resilient to extreme weather related to climate change. Water recycling is one strategy that communities use to prepare for potential climate change impacts. GAO recommends that EPA identify technical assistance providers and engage them in a network to help water utilities incorporate climate resilience into infrastructure projects. The report also encourages Congress to consider requiring that climate resilience be considered in planning for federally funded water infrastructure projects.
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Member!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:
- City of Frisco (Texas)
California: Oceanside Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Potable Reuse Project
WateReuse Association member the City of Oceanside celebrated the start of construction for Pure Water Oceanside, a $67 million project that will supply 30 percent of Oceanside’s drinking water. The Pure Water Oceanside system will use advanced technology to treat up to 5 million gallons a day and inject it through wells into the Mission Basin aquifer and eventually become part of the source water for drinking water treatment. The project is scheduled to begin operation in 2022. Read More.
California: Olivenhain and Leucadia Partner to Use More Recycled Water
WateReuse Association members the Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) and Leucadia Wastewater District (LWD) have entered a partnership to use recycled water to flush sewer lines in their service areas. In addition to sewer line flushing, municipal street sweeping vehicles will also be using recycled water. Prior to this project, LWD did not have access to recycled water in OMWD’s service area. Read More.
Texas: Researchers Conclude Water Reuse Could Be Key for Future of Hydraulic Fracturing
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin predict that enough water will come from the ground as a byproduct of oil production from unconventional reservoirs during the coming decades to counter the need to use fresh water for hydraulic fracturing operations in many of the nation’s large oil-producing areas. A pair of studies released in February also note that while other industries, such as agriculture, might want to recycle some of that water for their own needs, the potential costs involved mean it could be best to keep the water in the oil patch. Read More.
WateReuse Communications Tools and Resources
Engaging the Public Health Community on Water Reuse? Check out Our Online Resources
Although water reuse is a proven, science-based process that has been used safely in communities around the world for decades, the public is often skeptical when the concept is first introduced into a community. To build acceptance among medical and health professionals, WateReuse has launched the Medical Community Initiative and begun developing resources to support members in engaging with the public health community. Visit our website for videos, articles, and presentations that support engagement with medical professionals. New tools are being developed so check back for updates.
Conferences and Events
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!
Examine Local Reuse Issues: Participate in a State WateReuse Conference
Make plans to participate in conferences and events planned by WateReuse State Sections to learn more about local water reuse challenges and solutions. 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, WateReuse Texas convenes its Annual Conference July 20-21 in Frisco, and the 2020 Water Reuse Arizona Symposium is scheduled for July 26-28 in Flagstaff. Learn More.
Upcoming Events
Save the date for our December chapter meeting!
Please save the date for our last chapter meeting of the year on Thursday, December 7 at 3 p.m. This meeting will be held in person at the San Diego County Water Authority in Kearny Mesa, followed by a happy hour at Khan’s Cave The meeting will include a presentation from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District on their recycled water project, 2024 officer elections, regulatory updates, and more! We look forward to seeing you all there. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information coming soon.Friday, December 8, 2023
11:00 am to 2:00 pm ET (Remote)
Our next Orange County Chapter meeting will be held on December 12th from 12:00pm to 1:30pm. Meeting will be virtual only. In addition to our regular standing items, our main presentation will be by Jennifer West with WateReuse California.
Please RSVP so we can get an accurate headcount: RSVP Response Form. Thank you.

11 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
With water supply limitations driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change, along with more stringent regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges, direct or indirect potable reuse is becoming increasingly essential to address water resiliency issues. Carbon Based Advanced Treatment (CBAT) has increasingly been adopted as a treatment solution to treat municipal effluent to provide a safe, reliable augmentation of drinking water supplies.
CBAT involves the use of biologically activated carbon (BAC) usually with ozone, followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) to achieve advanced treatment of water. It may also include flocculation/sedimentation and UV disinfection. Join a panel of experts to explore the various combinations of this process, and get updates on key case studies using CBAT for potable reuse.
Moderator:
TBD
Speakers:
- Andrew Newbold, Principal Engineer, Hazen & Sawyer
- Gaya Ram Mohan, PhD, PE, Environmental Engineer, Hazen & Sayer
- Erik Rosenfeldt, PhD, PE, National Drinking Water Practice Leader, Hazen & Sawyer
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10:00 am PT | 1 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Across the country, more and more communities are exploring reuse as part of a larger water management strategy. But even the best public projects live and die by community acceptance, and history has shown this is doubly true for water reuse projects. Community engagement is a vital element to designing and launching plans that will create lasting impact. Community engagement is not, however, a one-size-fits-all endeavor. What motivates communities in Seattle will not be the same as Boise, or rural Oregon. In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of localizing a communications and engagement strategy to reflect the values, culture and drivers of each specific community. We will look at two Pacific Northwest case studies from Boise and the WateReuse Oregon Subcommittee that demonstrate effective, local engagement approaches.
Moderator:
Holly Tichenor, Management Consulting National Practice Leader, Brown and Caldwell, WateReuse PNW Board President
Presenters:
- Natalie Monro, Communications Coordinator, City of Bellingham, WateReuse PNW Board VP
- Haley Falconer, Environmental Division Senior Manager, City of Boise
- Jared Kinnear, Reuse Program Manager, Clean Water Services
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