Washington Update

Senate Infrastructure Package to Include Big Water Recycling Wins
WateReuse Backed Bill on Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Makes News
Last week, WIRED magazine published an article, “A Massive Water Recycling Proposal Could Help Ease Drought,” spotlighting the broad impact of WateReuse-backed House of Representatives proposal, Large Scale Water Recycling Project Investment Act (H.R. 4099). Representatives Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), and Susie Lee (D-NV) introduced the bill, which authorizes Congress to appropriate up to $750 million for the program over a five-year period.
WateReuse continues to make the case for water recycling’s role in the water sustainability of the west. Representatives from two WateReuse Association member organizations, Deven Upadhyay of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and John Entsminger of the Southern Nevada Water Authority, previously testified before a House subcommittee in support H.R. 4099, which would provide grant funding for large water recycling projects that cost $500 million or more.
Desalination and Water Purification Research Releases FY 2022 Grants Notice
The Research and Development Office of the Bureau of Reclamation opened a fiscal year 2022 grant notice for their Desalination and Water Purification Research Program (DWPR). The DWPR program aims to develop more innovative, cost-effective, and technologically efficient ways to desalinate water by partnering with researchers and others. The funding opportunity (R22AS00010) closes September 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm ET.
State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:
- Jurupa Community Services District (California)
CA: Healdsburg Offers Free Recycled Water to Support Potable Water Conservation
As a follow up to a ban on outdoor irrigation, the city of Healdsburg is offering free recycled water, even providing door-to-door deliveries. The home delivery option gives residents with storage tanks convenient, on-demand access to irrigation water, while supporting the city’s call to conserve potable water resources. The city’s wastewater reclamation facility has a public filling station to allow residents to pick up water for agricultural and landscape irrigation. Read more.
CO: Stakeholder Engagement Underway for Direct Potable Reuse Rulemaking
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is making stakeholder engagement a key component of its efforts to develop rules for direct potable reuse. CDPHE will convene the latest in a series of stakeholder meetings on Wednesday, July 14 from 1:30–3:00 pm MDT. The agenda includes an update from working groups and a review of the draft direct potable reuse definition. Register here.
Previously, WateReuse Colorado sponsored an Independent Advisory Panel, administered by the National Water Research Institute, to develop Guidelines for Direct Potable Reuse in Colorado, which includes recommendations for regulations, policy, and guidance.
HI: West Maui Recycled Water System Expansion Progresses
The Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact were published for the West Maui Recycled Water System Expansion. Proposed upgrades include improvements to the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility and connection of two recycled water distribution systems, allowing a continuous supply of pressurized recycled water. The FEA states that improvements will provide more reliable recycled water and allow for additional users to connect to the system. Read more.
International
China: Water Recycling Supports Long-Term Human Presence on Space Station
In the three weeks that the Shenzhou-12 crew has lived on China’s Tianhe space station, the treatment system has recycled 66 liters of urine, treating it into distilled water. The purified recycled water can be used for drinking, cleaning, and to generate oxygen. Water recycling is key in allowing long-term human occupation of the space station and supports activities such as the crew’s recent seven-hour spacewalk. Read more.
Member Engagement Opportunity
Join the WateReuse International Reuse Committee; First Meeting July 13
The WateReuse Association’s newest standing committee, the International Reuse Committee, will convene its first meeting on Tuesday, July 13 from 2:00-3:00 pm ET (11:00-12:00 am PT).The committee engages in educational and outreach activities to facilitate greater knowledge sharing of water recycling policies and technologies across the globe and is an opportunity for members to network with colleagues. The committee is led by Committee Chair, Hossein Ashktorab of Valley Water and Vice-Chair, Zoreh Movahed of WATEK Engineering Corporation. Committee membership is open to any employee of a member organization. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email Heather Strathearn (hstrathearn@watereuse.org) to learn more.
Member Resources and Benefits
Activity Booklet Provides Water Reuse Education for Late Elementary and Early Middle School Students
Are you interested in educating student in your community on water recycling? Use the new Water Reuse Activity Booklet to introduce students to the world of water reuse with fun activities that develop math and science skills. Students will learn about the urban water cycle, the treatment processes that make water safe to use again, and much more!
The booklet was produced in partnership with the WateReuse Association and Project WET Foundation. Learn more about the contents of the booklet in this short video. The booklet is available on the Project WET store.
Interactive Map on State Water Reuse Policies and Regulations
Do you need information about water reuse policies and regulations from across the United States? Visit the state policy map on our website to find summaries of the regulatory landscape in key states, as well as links to specific polices and regulations. Clicking on a particular state opens a pop-up window with detailed information about the state. WateReuse invites members to help us fill in gaps in knowledge using the comment box provided on the page. The map will be updated periodically as new information is received and/or states update their regulations. View the state policy map here.
Conferences, Webcasts and Events

Join Us for Arizona Water Reuse 2021 Symposium
Join WateReuse Arizona and the AZ Water Association for the Arizona Water Reuse 2021 Symposium, July 25-27, 2021 at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff, AZ. The program begins Sunday evening with the annual welcome reception followed by two days of sessions on the latest trends in water reuse. The Symposium also includes a scholarship and awards luncheon, as well as a reception at the Arizona Snow Bowl. Learn more and register.

WateReuse Pacific Northwest to Present Water Reuse Track at PNCWA Conference
WateReuse Pacific Northwest (WR-PNW) and the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association (PNCWA) are partnering to bring members a 2021 conference technical program that includes sustainable approaches to water reuse as one of many one-water solutions. WR-PNW will present a water reuse track at the PNCWA Annual Conference to benefit members, advance ongoing innovation, and showcase industry collaboration. The track will occur Tuesday, September 14, with options for single-day attendance packages available. Please join our one-day track and engage in our common vision to advance regional water reuse. The full conference will include in-person and virtual attendance formats, September 13-15. Learn more and register.

Technical Program Released for 2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference
Registration is open for the 2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference and there are two ways to participate! Participate in-person September 19-21 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Los Angles or join virtually from the comfort of your office. In-person registration includes access to the on-demand, virtual content. The agenda includes technical sessions, panel presentations, two tours, and many networking opportunities. For those who do not wish to attend in person, all major sessions will be simulcast, and technical sessions will be available on the virtual conference platform. Learn more and register.
WRF Webcast: Assessing State of Knowledge and Research Needs for Stormwater Harvesting
July 15, 2021
12 pm PT | 3 pm ET (1.5 hours)
Join the Water Research Foundation (WRF) for an overview of the project, Assessing the State of Knowledge and Research Needs for Stormwater Harvesting (4841). Presenters will describe the range of drivers and benefits that communities are seeking through enhanced stormwater harvesting, and associated state-of-the-practice based on an understanding of stormwater harvesting implementation at local, regional, and state levels. The webcast will also demonstrate a draft decision tree approach for utilities planning or refining their stormwater harvesting program. Learn more and register.
Webcast: Discussion on Desalination – Treatments, Research, and the Future
August 11, 2021
11 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)
In this webcast, a panel of experts from the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) and CalDesal will discuss the state of desalination in the United States. The panel will explore current practices, technologies, treatments, on-going research, and the future role of desalination in the resiliency of the country’s water supply. You will also learn about NAWI’s research and development roadmap series on desalination and treatment of nontraditional source waters. Register here.
Save the Date: 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Antonio, Texas
ark your calendar for the 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium to be held March 5-9, 2022 at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas. The 2022 Symposium will be our first national conference with an in-person component since 2019! This is a not-to-be missed opportunity to learn about the latest trends in water recycling and network with colleagues in person. Super saver registration opens October 4, 2021.
Upcoming Events

1 pm PT | 4 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, agriculture accounts for more than 80% of the nation’s water consumption. Water reuse is uniquely suited to provide resilience, local control, environmental protection, and high water quality for this critical demand. Join our webcast to learn about two innovative approaches to securing America’s food supply with water reuse, strategies for overcoming obstacles, and gain insight on how USDA conservation programs can be a valuable resource in funding these projects.
Presenters:
- Dr. Chris Hay, Conservation Design Scientist, Iowa Soybean Association
- Julie Hawkins, State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS
- Mike McCullough, Director of External Affairs, Monterey One Water
Add to Calendar