Join EPA and Top Federal Agency Water Officials for the National Water Reuse Action Plan Roll-out: Register for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium

Washington Update

Eleven WateReuse Members Request WIFIA funding for Water Recycling Projects

In response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) third Notice of Funding Availability, the agency received 51 letters of interest, collectively requesting $6.6 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. Letters of interest were received for eleven water recycling projects sponsored by WateReuse Association members. For the first time, EPA announced water reuse and recycling as a WIFIA priority. In the next step, EPA will select the projects that it intends to fund and invite the prospective borrowers to continue to the application process.

Bureau of Reclamation Awards $5.1 Million for Desalination, Water Purification Research

The Bureau of Reclamation announced that 30 projects from 16 states will receive $5.1 million from the Desalination and Water Purification Research Program to develop improved and inexpensive ways to desalinate and treat impaired water. Twenty-five projects will each receive up to $150,000 for laboratory-scale projects, and the remaining five will receive up to $400,000 for larger scale projects to determine the technical and economic viability of a process. Several WateReuse members received grants, including Arizona State University, Orange County Water District, West Basin Municipal Water District, and Colorado School of Mines. Read More.

State Updates and Member Profiles

California: WateReuse California Releases Comprehensive State Action Plan

On Friday, July 19, WateReuse California released the California WateReuse Action Plan – a comprehensive set of proposed actions that will more than double the use of water recycling in California and help prepare the state for the impacts of climate change. The Plan identifies four strategic areas for action: research, regulations, regional planning and funding and includes 20 specific recommendations. Read More.

Colorado: Western Resource Advocates Introduces Water Policy and Program Database

WateReuse Association member Western Resource Advocates launched a new database last week that includes select state water policies and programs from around the country related to water reuse, urban water conservation, and integrated land use and water planning. Users can search for policies and programs by topic, state, and keyword. The database was developed through a Gates Family Foundation grant and additional content will be added over time. Learn More.

New York: Suez Introduces New Water Recycling Technology for Nassau County

WateReuse Association member Suez, operator of Nassau County’s sewer system, unveiled a new water recycling system that will preserve drinking water and save up to 300 million gallons of groundwater every year by using the treated water for plant operations. The $1.1 million project, paid for entirely by Suez, is expected to reduce plant operating expenses by more than $350,000 per year. Suez plans to explore additional uses for Nassau County’s recycled water, including irrigation at the Bay Park and Cedar Creek Park golf courses. Read More.

Texas: Produced Water Recyclers See Increasing Need for Larger-Scale Facilities

As oil and gas producers in the Permian Basin increase the size of their operations, companies that recycle produced water are finding a similar need. Larger-scale recycling infrastructure includes larger fracturing ponds, larger-scale treatment facilities, and pipeline networks to deliver the treated water to drilling and completions sites. Water has been part of the oil patch for many years, but the focus on water management is growing. Read More.

Association Update

WateReuse Executive Director Emphasizes Collaboration with the Federal Agencies

In a new commentary, WateReuse Association Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi makes the case that water sector collaboration with the Federal Government on the development of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Water Reuse Action Plan marks a pivotal moment for the water sector. The article, which was published in the Summer issue of NACWA’s Clean Water Advocate, discusses the steps thus far in this unprecedented effort to establish a national imperative for safe, reliable, and locally controlled water supplies. Sinicropi also emphasizes the importance of continued work with Congress and the Trump Administration to align laws, regulations and funding to help states and local governments find local solutions. Read more.

Conferences and Events

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 research identified available online sensor technologies that have potential for direct potable reuse (DPR) and conducted risk analysis to determine the necessary sensor platforms and sensitivity required to ensure compliance, safety and identify process anomalies. 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