
Discover How Water Recycling Supports Economic Growth by Registering Today

Washington Update

Second House FY 2020 Appropriations Package Includes Funding for Water Reuse
WateReuse Delivers Letter Supporting Bipartisan Water Recycling Bill
On June 20, Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) introduced the Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Infrastructure Act (S. 1932). The WateReuse Association worked closely with the lead cosponsors to draft and build support for the legislation, which includes a 5-year, $100 million reauthorization of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse competitive grant program. On June 14, the WateReuse Association organized a letter, signed by nearly 60 associations, water districts, and companies, expressing strong support for the legislation.
WateReuse Proposes EPA Action to Advance Reuse of Produced Water
In response to a draft EPA study, the WateReuse Association submitted comments to EPA today, proposing specific actions the agency can take to advance the safe reuse of water from onshore oil and gas extraction. The process of oil and gas drilling produces a high quantity of contaminated water, known as produced water, which can be treated and reused for various applications, such as industrial cooling. Reuse of produced water is currently quite limited, and could be significantly expanded to increase and diversify water supply while protecting public health and the environment.
Bureau of Reclamation Announces Funding for Water Reuse Research
The Bureau of Reclamation announced last week the availability of FY 2019 federal funding for communities to conduct research to explore the use of recycled water. Up to $150,000 per project is available for desktop research studies to develop science and decision-support tools, up to $300,000 per project is available for research to improve existing facilities, and up to $750,000 per project is available to study state-of-the-art technology. The funding is offered under the Title XVI water reuse program and applicants must provide at least 75 percent of the total project costs. Proposals are due September 23, 2019.
State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Members!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:
Florida: Cape Coral Receives $3 Million for Reuse Pipeline
WateReuse Association member the City of Cape Coral received $3 million to build a reclaimed water pipeline in the state budget signed by Governor Ron DeSantis last week. The Caloosahatchee River Crossing pipeline will run from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to provide water for irrigation and reduce nutrients going into the river. Construction of the pipeline is expected to cost about $15 million and will be completed in 2023. Read More.
Groundwater Protection Council Studies Reuse for Produced Water
WateReuse Association member the Groundwater Protection Council released a report on June 24 that examines current regulations, practices, and research needed to expand the reuse of produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas production. Most produced water is reinjected deep underground for disposal or to enhance production, with less than one percent recycled for beneficial use. The report identifies challenges currently limiting the reuse of produced water and provides a framework for the evaluation of reuse options, focusing primarily on research needs. Read more.
Xylem Produces “Reuse Beer” for IWA Water Reuse Conference
WateReuse Association member Xylem partnered with Berlin, Germany’s water utility and the Berlin Centre for Competence for Water to serve beer produced with recycled water at last month’s International Water Association (IWA) conference on water reuse. To help build support for recycled water, Xylem has participated in several other events showcasing beer made with purified recycled water, including past WateReuse Symposiums. Xylem uses creative partnerships to highlight global water challenges and the opportunity to address issues like water scarcity with recycled water. Read More.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: Removing Barriers to Direct Potable Reuse
Upcoming Events

36th Annual WateReuse Symposium: Redefining Resiliency
March 15-25, 2021 Join us for a series of live and on demand virtual roundtables! Learn MoreTopic: WRCO March Meeting
Time: Mar 11, 2021 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84546769262
Meeting ID: 845 4676 9262
Dial by your location
- +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
- +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
- +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
- +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
- +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
- +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
- +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 845 4676 9262
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcoCvl0Mg
First Quarter:
Remote – Zoom
Friday, March 12, 2021
11:00 am to 2pm EST // 10 to 1 CST // 9:00 to 12 MST // 8:00 to 11 PST

The latest webinar in EPA’s “Creating the Water Workforce of the Future” series focuses on building an inclusive and supportive workplace that encourages employee growth to attract and retain the qualified candidates.
A career in the water sector offers meaningful and challenging work that makes a difference in local communities. By building an inclusive and supportive workplace that encourages employee growth, the sector can attract and retain the qualified candidates it needs.
Please join EPA on April 1, 2021 to hear from leaders in the water sector who are embracing the challenge of “Creating the Water
Workforce of the Future.”
Joone Lopez from Moulton-Niguel Water District will describe her organization’s journey to build a culture that allowed MNWD to
become recognized as one of the outstanding water utilities in the country.
Tim Friday and Eric Dunker from Castle Rock Water and Arapahoe Community College will then describe a utility/community college partnership that trains and places students into jobs in the water workforce.
Register here.
Add to Calendar
Zoom Meeting
When: Apr 13, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkd-6tqjsiH9ztJm_6CN-heC5W3IEcOK7V
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Save the date! Registration will open soon.
Add to Calendar
Save the date! Registration will open soon.
Add to Calendar
Save the date! More information to come soon.
Second Quarter:
Remote – Zoom
Friday, June 4, 2021
11:00 am to 2pm EST // 10 to 1 CST // 9:00 to 12 MST // 8:00 to 11 PST
Zoom Meeting
When: Jun 8, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOurqT8rHNbep0DGS8jHvaxNGuGs2cbu
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.