Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – July 15, 2019

Pitching Reuse to Your Customers? Register for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium Today to Learn Winning Strategies to Communicate a Reuse Message!

How do you get ratepayers and industry to embrace recycled water investments? Join us for “Making the Pitch: How to Talk to Elected Officials and Potential Industry Customers about the Value of Water Recycling” during the opening general session of the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium taking place September 8-11 in San Diego. Elected officials will join representatives from utilities and public health for an insightful panel discussion that includes real world examples of successful communication strategies and messages that convince business leaders, ratepayers, and elected officials to support investments in water recycling. Register today to learn from this panel and participate in a comprehensive four-day program covering water recycling policy, technology, research, and public support. The program showcases collaborations among utilities, businesses, and industry; regulators working together at both the state and federal level; sustainability; and public/private partnerships. Register before August 23 and save on registration rates

Show less

Washington Update

WateReuse Association to Testify at Senate Hearing

On Thursday, July 18, the Water and Power Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing to examine a number of bills, including S. 1932, the Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Infrastructure Act. The WateReuse Association worked closely with the lead cosponsors to draft and build support for S. 1932, which includes a 5-year, $100 million reauthorization of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse competitive grant program. For the hearing, the WateReuse Association will be represented by Association member, Aurora Water from Aurora, CO in support of the legislation. Marshall Brown, General Manager of Aurora Water, will be testifying on our behalf. You can view the full hearing on the Committee’s website on July 18.

Show less

EPA Issues Update on the National Water Reuse Action Plan

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued an update on the development of a national Water Reuse Action Plan, noting that it is on track to release a draft plan at the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in September. The goal of the Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP), announced by EPA Assistant Administrator Dave Ross in February 2019, is to serve as a catalyst for sustained national emphasis to enhance the consideration of water reuse as a tool in integrated water resources management, often led at the state and local watershed scale. EPA is collaborating closely with state partners that manage water reuse programs and water infrastructure funding programs.

The WateReuse Association facilitated a multi-month collaborative process to develop and submit recommendations on the WRAP jointly with the American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Water Environment Federation, and Water Research Foundation. The water sector comments were informed by a member survey and national convenings of experts and stakeholders from around the country. EPA will consider the WateReuse recommendations and public submissions to the docket from 53 commenters, as well as its own research and outreach in developing the draft WRAP. The public docket on development of the draft WRAP closed on July 1.

EPA has developed a “concept draft” based on an annotated outline with approximately 10 strategic objectives, including improved policies, technology development, and workforce development. By the end of July, EPA plans to begin circulating a complete full draft of about 30 pages for internal review. Once the draft WRAP is released to the public at the Annual WateReuse Symposium, EPA anticipates a 90-day formal comment period, coupled with another round of “opportunistic outreach.”

Show less

Congress Passes PFAS Provisions that Impact Water Recycling Facilities

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (H.R. 2500), and included in it a number of amendments related to the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This includes language requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) within one year. Another provision requires EPA to add PFAS to the list of toxic pollutants under the Clean Water Act, and to publish associated effluent and pretreatment standards. The Senate included its own set of PFAS amendments in its recently passed version of the NDAA. The next step will be for the House and Senate to form a conference committee to negotiate the differences between the two bills.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Members!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:

California: Legislation on Potable Reuse Terminology Moves Forward

AB 292, a WateReuse California sponsored measure that removes the potable reuse terms “indirect” and “direct” from state statute, passed out of its final Senate policy committee last week. Introduced by Assemblyman Bill Quirk, D-Hayward, the measure allows agencies to communicate more clearly with the public and use the potable reuse nomenclature established in AB 574 (Quirk 2017), which includes Groundwater Augmentation, Reservoir Augmentation, Raw Water Augmentation and Treated Drinking Water Augmentation. AB 292 is supported by agencies throughout the state and will next be heard in the California Senate Appropriations Committee.

WateReuse California also sponsored AB 1180, which was introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale). The bill requires the state Water Board to update the non-potable recycled water regulations by 2023. These regulations have not been updated in 19 years. AB 1180, which also enjoys broad support, is currently before in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Show less

California: Reclamation Seeks Comment on Proposed Changes for the Central Valley and State Water Projects

The Bureau of Reclamation released a draft environmental impact statement analyzing potential effects associated with long-term water operations for the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP). Reclamation’s goal is to incorporate updated science into CVP and SWP operations to optimize water deliveries for communities and farms, while protecting threatened and endangered species. The draft environmental impact statement will be available for public input for a 45-day review period and three public meetings are scheduled. Read More.

California: Interim Funding Agreement Approved for Water Purification Project

The East County Advanced Water Purification Program progressed closer to completion last week with the program’s partner agencies – Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the City of El Cajon, Helix Water District and the County of San Diego – approving an Interim Funding Agreement. Each entity will commit $2.35 million to towards the program in 2020. By 2025, the $528 million program is expected to begin producing 11.5 million gallons of drinking water per day in East San Diego County. Read More.

California: City of Ukiah Ready to Deliver Recycled Water to Vineyards

WateReuse Association member the City of Ukiah recently began filling storage ponds to prepare for its new program to provide recycled water for vineyards, cornfields, and other irrigation. The three ponds will be filled with 66 million gallons of water that has passed through the Ukiah Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant. The city will begin releasing the water once it has final approval from the Division of Drinking Water. Read more.

Conferences and Events

Become a Sponsor of the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium

There are still sponsorship opportunities available for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego on September 8-11. The Annual WateReuse Symposium is the premier conference on water recycling, attracting more than 600 water recycling professionals from around the country. Sponsorship increases your brand recognition among reuse project sponsors and demonstrates your support for WateReuse programs and initiatives. View our Sponsorship Prospectus and secure your recognition at the 34^th Annual WateReuse Symposium.

Webcast: Integrating Management of Sensor Data for a Real Time Decision Making and Response System

Join us on July 24 at 2 p.m. ET to learn about a new Water Research Foundation project that developed a Decision Support Tool to help utility operators and managers take appropriate real-time actions based on anomalies and events when operating potable reuse systems. The Decision Support Tool aggregates information on online sensor technologies into an easy to use dashboard for operators. Learn how utilities can benefit from this approach in operating potable reuse systems, as well as with many drinking water, water reclamation, or recycled water facilities or systems. Register Now.

Upcoming Events

Sep

Thu

Webcast: Membranes 101 – The Basics and Beyond

Tickets

Sep 26 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Presented in partnership with WateReuse Pacific Northwest, this webcast will discuss how membranes are used in water, wastewater and reuse applications and review typical operational tasks. Webcast 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49 PDHs: 1 Register Now! How are membranes used in water recycling and what are the typical operational tasks? Learn how membranes can be used alone, or in conjunction with complementary technologies, to remove a broad range of contaminants from water. This range of capabilities has contributed to the widespread use of membranes to treat water, wastewater, and recycled water. The presentation will explain the types of membranes and their uses, review proper maintenance, and provide viewers with insight into this popular treatment technology. Please join us to learn about:

Micro and ultrafiltration membranes, used to remove particles as small as viruses by size exclusion;
Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, capable of removing dissolved salts and organic compounds; and
Proper maintenance of membranes and membrane systems necessary to maximize system capacity, water quality, and life span.

Presenter

Daniel A. Hugaboom, P.E. Carollo Engineers Dan is Carollo Engineer’s Chief MF/UF Membrane Technologist. In this role, he directs technical aspects of the company’s low-pressure membrane filtration based projects. Dan also serves as President of the Northwest Membrane Operator’s Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the American Membrane Technology Association.

Oct

Wed

Webcast: Enhanced Source Control for Direct Potable Reuse

Tickets

Oct 2 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Presented in partnership with the National Water Research Institute, this webcast will offer insight into the nature of enhanced source control and discuss how some communities are optimizing their source control programs to support potable reuse.

Webcast
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Eastern; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

What are the best source control strategies when developing a potable reuse project? As more communities turn to potable reuse to expand water supplies, the goals of source control programs have broadened to include producing water that meets drinking water regulations. Join three uniquely qualified experts to gain insight into the nature of enhanced source control and to learn how some communities are optimizing their source control programs to support potable reuse. The presentation will provide valuable guidance for utilities and regulatory agencies considering enhanced source control to protect the quality of wastewater that is entering the treatment system.

Presenters

Linda Shadler is head of the Industrial Waste Section of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County. The Industrial Waste Section manages 950 Significant Industrial Users, making it one of the largest pretreatment programs in the United States.

Ellen McDonald is Chief Technical Officer and Water Planning Practice Leader at Plummer in Fort Worth, Texas, where she works on water resource planning, water reuse, water quality modeling, and water and wastewater system modeling and planning

Tyler Nading works on potable reuse projects and source control investigations, and was a technical advisor and engineering consultant on the Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow at the Hampton Roads Sanitation District in Virginia Beach, Virginia.