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January 21, 2019

Submit a Proposal for a Place on the Podium at the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium

The WateReuse Association invites abstract submissions for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium, taking place Sunday, September 8, through Wednesday, September 11, 2019 in San Diego, California. Submit your proposal for a technical and/or plenary session before February 7, 2019. This year’s theme is “Collaborate to Innovate.” The program 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. The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the nation’s premier conference on water recycling. The event attracts more than 600 water professionals from around the nation.

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Washington Update

Join WateReuse for the National Water Policy Fly-In

Water Week 2019 is March 31–April 6, and its anchor event, the National Water Policy Fly-In, will convene April 3-4 in Washington, DC. With a new Congress in place, your attendance and engagement are more critical than ever. Mark your calendars now and save the date! 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—such as the bipartisan passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act that included 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!

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GAO Report Documents Impact of Title XVI in Advancing Water Recycling

A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released January 15 shines a light on the importance of federal funding for water recycling projects in preparing the arid West for a changing climate and scarce water supplies. GAO reviewed and assessed the impact of the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program (Title XVI) from fiscal year 1992 through fiscal year 2017. The expected Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and the expected Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), released the report.

The Bureau of Reclamation, within the Department of the Interior, awarded about $715 million in water reuse grants for 46 construction projects and 71 studies under Title XVI from 1992-2017, according to agency documents. Most of the Title XVI funding—about $703 million—has been awarded for construction projects. Some construction projects remain eligible for Title XVI grant funding. About $464 million in eligible Title XVI grant funding not yet awarded remains for projects that Congress individually authorized; for projects eligible under the 2016 amendments to the Title XVI program, about $513 million remains.

“This GAO report highlights the importance of water recycling to address water supply concerns in the arid West and particularly in my region of Southern California,” said Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA). “It further describes the overwhelming demand for the primary water recycling program of the federal government, the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI program. Water recycling used to be thought of as an alternative supply option, but the growing reliance and acceptance of this technology has put recycling on par with traditional water sources, such as groundwater wells, aqueducts, and dams. I thank GAO for their comprehensive research and assessment of this technology, and I look forward to working in tandem with Chair Huffman to promote sustainability in addressing all of our water supply needs.”

This report details the Title XVI grants awarded, remaining projects that are eligible for grants, the types and locations of projects and studies that have received grants, and the process for selecting projects and studies and its consistency with federal grant regulations as well as how the program’s evaluation criteria have changed since 2011. GAO reviewed relevant laws, regulations, and agency guidance; analyzed financial data for fiscal years 1992 through 2017; compared documents related to the project selection process against federal grant regulations; and interviewed agency officials and nonfederal project sponsors with different types of projects.

“The Federal government has an important role to play in working with local water managers to modernize America’s water infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing population and a changing climate,” said Rep. Huffman. “This new GAO report demonstrates the clear benefits of robust investments in water reuse projects that help our cities and rural communities continue to thrive in the face of water scarcity. In the 116th Congress, I look forward to working with Chair Napolitano to expand these proven water solutions that benefit all Americans.”

The Title XVI program awards grants for the study and construction of water reuse projects in 17 western states and Hawaii.

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Watch: Webcast Provides Insight into the 116th Congress

A January 16 WateReuse Association webcast provided analysis of the impact of the mid-term elections on potential legislation that would advance water reuse, discussed how the partial government shutdown is affecting federal programs that support water recycling, and detailed opportunities in the 116^th Congress to advance water reuse. Seasoned Washington, DC lobbyists Mia O’Connell, President of O’Connell & Dempsey, and Geoff Bowman, Vice President at Van Scoyoc Associates, detailed what’s on the congressional docket and discussed how you can position your utility or company to have a voice at the table. Top Washington water sector lobbyists will discuss the status of key legislation and explain the opportunities to advance a water reuse policy agenda. The presenters also offered an insider view of several pieces of legislation with potentially large consequences for water reuse that are awaiting action including reauthorization of the Title XVI competitive grant program, desalination program, and western water storage funds. A recording of the webcast is available to members.

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WateReuse Joins Water Sector in Asking Congress to Include Water Infrastructure in Any Infrastructure Package

The WateReuse Association joined a coalition of national, state, and local organizations in asking Congress to include funding and financing for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, and stormwater infrastructure in any infrastructure package considered during the 116th Congress.

“An infrastructure package represents an excellent opportunity to provide necessary resources to meet long-term economic, public health, and environmental goals,” the letter reads.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that America’s water and wastewater infrastructure requires nearly $750 billion worth of investment over the next 20 years just to maintain current levels of service, and independent estimates place this figure over $1 trillion. Aging infrastructure replacement needs account for much of the investment gap. While federal contributions to transportation infrastructure have stayed constant at approximately half of total capital spending, federal investment in water infrastructure has declined from 63 percent to 9 percent since 1977.

In a recent survey of Americans’ opinions on the value of investing in our water resources, 78 percent of respondents said it’s “extremely or very important” that the President and Congress develop a plan to rebuild America’s water infrastructure. The same survey found that 88 percent of respondents agreed that increased federal investment was needed to rebuild water infrastructure.

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State Updates and Member Profiles

California: Metropolitan Water District Approves $3.5 Million in Funding

WateReuse Association member the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s board of directors approved the funding of 15 projects across 11 Metropolitan member agencies. When combined with matching funds from the member agencies, and other local, state and federal resources, an additional $8 million will be infused into the projects. Selected projects include improving seawater desalination technology, using stormwater and recycled water to increase the development of local water supplies, analyzing a reverse osmosis process in brackish groundwater treatment, and piloting artificial intelligence technology in the control systems of a water treatment plant. Read More.

California: WRCA Funded Bioanalytical Monitoring Group Holds First Meeting

The WateReuse California (WRCA) funded Bioanalytical Implementation Advisory Group, administered by the National Water Research Institute, met for the first time on January 10, 2019, in Fountain Valley, California. More than 90 stakeholders participated. State Water Board staff also participated in the meeting and answered questions regarding the monitoring and implementation of the two new bioassays for potable reuse agencies. Two bioassays monitoring tests will be required in March 2020 for potable reuse agencies. The primary purpose of the group is to develop the Standard Operating Procedures for the tests. The advisory group will meet next in March or April. View Meeting Slides.

Texas: Wetlands Reuse Project Creates New Habitat, Community Education

WateReuse Association member the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) is using water reuse to create a wilderness oasis just miles from Dallas. The East Fork Water Reuse Project near Seagoville is one of the largest water reuse projects in the country. Water from the East Fork of the Trinity River flows through the 2,000-acre wetland and is naturally filtered by plants and sunlight. The district is currently building a new pipeline and pump, Trinity River Main Stem Pump Station and Pipeline near Rosser that will add approximately 100 million gallons of water per day from the Trinity. Read More.

WateReuse Member Companies Recognized for Positive Impact

WateReuse Association members Natural Systems Utilities and Biohabitats were included in the Real Leaders list of Top 100 Impact Companies. The awards rank the top companies applying capitalism for greater profit and greater good. These companies are driving a dynamic segment of the economy, bearing a new vision of capitalism that demonstrates that every transaction is an opportunity for both growth and a better world. Read More.

Research Updates

Learn About Agricultural Use of Recycled Water

A just released Water Research Foundation study, Agricultural Use of Recycled Water: Impediments and Incentives (Reuse-15-08/4775), provides a global inventory of successes, delays, and setbacks experienced when switching from traditional agricultural irrigation sources to recycled water. Learn More.

Energy Department Offers Funding for Water Reuse Research

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy included Coal Plant Effluent Water Reuse as an area of interest in a recently announced funding opportunity for research and development projects. DOE will up to $4.8 million in federal funds to universities for up to 12 projects. Under the Coal Plant Water Reuse area of interest, DOE is interested in packaged, modular units that can accept cooling tower blow-down water, treat it as necessary for reuse as plant makeup water, and generate salts that have potential use as a saleable by-product. Read More.

WRF Seeks Proposals for Stormwater Harvesting Research

The Water Research Foundation is requesting proposals for a new project, Assessing the State of Knowledge and Research Needs for Stormwater Harvesting. The selected research team will evaluate the state of the knowledge and research needs through a combination of literature review, web search, and interviews with selected state regulatory agencies to better understand the variation of stormwater harvesting at regional and state levels. The proposal is due by 2 p.m. Mountain on Feb.27, 2019. The project budget is $12,000. Learn More.

Conferences and Events

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!

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!