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July 26, 2021

Washington Update

Action Needed: Help Keep Water Recycling a Top Priority by Taking Action Today!

The WateReuse Association continues to work across the House and Senate to help lawmakers understand that investment in water reuse is essential. We are calling on our members to take action today to ensure the final infrastructure package includes funding for water recycling! Please call or write your members of Congress and urge them to fund water recycling programs in upcoming infrastructure legislation.

To get started, you can use our template letter to share your story. The letter includes requests for at least $100 million per year in mandatory funding for both the Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Grants and the Title XVI-WIIN Water Reclamation and Reuse Competitive Grants Program, along with space for you to tell Congress how water recycling makes a difference for your community or business. If you do not know who to send the letter to, please reach out to Greg Fogel at gfogel@watereuse.org or (805) 570-3038.

If you would like to call your congressional delegation member, you can reach the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. When you reach the office of your representative or senator, ask for the staffer who handles water issues and tell them that you are calling about infrastructure funding. If the front office transfers you to that staffer’s voicemail (which is common!), please leave a message.

Senate Continues Work on Bipartisan Infrastructure Package that Includes Investments in Water Reuse

Senators Introduce Legislation to Increase Funding for Water Recycling

EPA Releases Water Reuse Research Grants Announcement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the availability of nearly $6.5 million for research that advances innovation in water reuse. The National Priorities: Water Innovation, Science, and Engagement to Advance Water Reuse request for applications (RFA) is focused on addressing multiple water reuse sources and applications across a suite of sub-topics. The RFA seeks proposals to investigate water innovation, information availability, and engagement to advance clean and safe water reuse goals. EPA anticipates making two awards, and there is a cost share requirement. The RFA will close September 29, 2021.

WRAP Survey: Share Your Facility Data to Quantify Municipal Reuse in U.S.

WateReuse Association members are invited to complete a survey (approximately 90-120 minutes) as part of a national Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP) effort to document the amount of water that is recycled in the United States. Under WRAP Action 5.5,  Quantifying the National Volumes of Water Potentially Available for Reuse, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is preparing an update to the 2018 ReNEW Water Project’s Resource Recovery Baseline Report. This report documented resource recovery at water resource recovery facilities in the U.S. and Canada through a combination of data analysis and survey responses from utilities. WateReuse, EPA, and WEF are co-leading Action 5.5 and the update of the ReNEW Water Project is the first milestone. The survey deadline is August 9, 2021. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Patrick Dube (pdube@WEF.org) at WEF.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

Section Spotlight: WateReuse California Advocates for $500 Million State Investment in Water Recycling

WateReuse California is urging Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature to invest $500 million in water recycling as part of a drought funding package that will use some of the state’s budget surplus to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Jennifer West, Managing Director of WateReuse California, authored pieces in CalMatters and Napa Valley Register, that explain how funding for water reuse can have both immediate and long-term water supply benefits. The legislature is expected to develop a drought package before the legislative session ends for the year in early September.  Read more.

AZ: Tucson Water Spotlighted as Leader in Water Recycling

Tucson Water is being recognized for its leadership in water recycling. Tucson’s recycled water program can deliver over 30 million gallons of recycled water per day for applications such as irrigation, dust control, fire fighting, industrial uses, and to support wildlife habitat.  With Lake Mead reaching its lowest reservoir level since it was filled, cities like Tucson are modeling what is necessary to adapt to climate change.  Read more.

CO: PureWater Colorado Mobile Demonstration Project Begins Scheduling Tours

Next month, Colorado Springs Utilities will begin offering tours of the PureWater Colorado Demonstration, a mobile trailer that contains advanced water purification equipment that recycles water from the J.D. Phillips Resource Recovery Facility and treats it to meet drinking water standards. The demonstration seeks to advance the science and regulatory framework for direct potable reuse use in Colorado. Colorado Springs was award a $350,000 grant from the Colorado Conservation Board to pursue the project, and constructed the facility with support from Carollo Engineers and Colorado School of Mines. Read more.

FL: WateReuse Florida Acknowledged for One Water Florida Campaign

As a part of the One Water Florida campaign, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is showing its commitment to communicating the benefits of water recycling. Increased investment in water infrastructure and growing need as populations rise in the state have underscored the need for additional water recycling, and water recycling communication. The aim of the campaign is to ensure the public understands that recycled water is safe and sustainable, and a key part of Florida’s water future. Read more.

Member Spotlight: Evoqua Develops Environmentally Friendly Water Reuse Solution for Florida Keys

With surrounding water bodies designated as a National Marine Sanctuary, Key West Resort Utilities partnered with Evoqua Water Technologies to develop a water reuse program. Under strains from population growth and increasingly stringent water quality criteria for effluent, water reuse was the perfect multi-benefit solution for Key West. Now, rather than being discharged, recycled water is used for irrigation and other uses. Read more.

Viewpoint: Nothing ‘Icky’ About Drinking Purified Recycled Water

Noting the growing importance of water reuse, specifically in ensuring a reliable potable water supply, Bloomberg Law summarizes water recycling and highlights projects from San Diego to Colorado Springs. Water reuse is cited as an increasingly common tool to address extreme heat and drought. Read more.

Viewpoint: Green Biz Notes Increasing Importance of Water Recycling

As the west grapples with extreme drought and declining reservoir levels, water reuse is becoming increasingly important, as noted in current proposed legislation. The article ponders why there isn’t more widespread water recycling. Catherine Coleman Flowers, an environmental health advocate with the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, expressed, If we can treat wastewater to drinking water quality in outer space, “why can’t we do that here on earth.”  Read more.

WateReuse Member Engagement Opportunity

WateReuse California Communications Collaborative Group Meets August 4

The WateReuse California Communications Collaborative Group is having its next meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, August 4 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PDT. The meeting features a virtual tour of the Water Replenishment District’s Albert Robles Center. This will be followed by a discussion and other updates. Register here.

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

Profiles in Reuse: Flyer Explains Safety and Reliability of Potable Reuse

Use our flyer, Profiles in Reuse: Potable Reuse, to inform ratepayers, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the safety and reliability of using purified water as part of the drinking water supply. The flyer also supports WateReuse’s Medical Community Initiative, which seeks to build support for potable reuse among medical and public health officials. This flyer is the first in a series of Profiles in Reuse that will serve as resources for member communication on water recyclingDownload Flyer..

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.

Job Opportunity from the WateReuse Career Center

WateReuse Conferences, Webcasts and Events

Super Saver Opens October 4:  37th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Antonio, Texas

Mark 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. A special super saver registration rate will be offered exclusively to WateReuse Association members beginning Monday, October 4, 2021—before early-bird registration opens to the general public. If you normally take advantage of early-bird registration discounts, this year you will be able to register earlier and save even more. Attendees will have the options to attend in-person in San Antonio, stream the sessions online, or both. This is a not-to-be missed opportunity to learn about the latest trends in water recycling and network with colleagues.

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.

Building a Resilient Future Together: Register for the 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.

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.

World Water-Tech North America Virtual Summit, October 5-6, 2021

The WateReuse Association is pleased to support the World Water-Tech North America Summit, connecting the global water ecosystem on October 5-6. 

Join 350 stakeholders driving change across the water value chain, with speakers from utilities (public and private), billion-dollar venture funds, international engineering giants, and technology companies (start-ups and unicorns). YOU’RE GUARANTEED hot debates, new ideas and fresh faces!

This incredible group of cross-industry voices will come together to trade insights about how to accelerate watershed resilience, and identify opportunities to transform the industry through innovation and investment. Will you be joining them? ​​​​​​

Save a further 10% with The WateReuse Association’s discount code: WRA10

Upcoming Events

Dec
5
Tue
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting @ Santa Monica
Dec 5 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Santa Monica Institute Meeting Room

330 Olympic Drive

Santa Monica, CA 90401

  • Lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thank you to our lunch sponsor, Woodard & Curran.
  • The formal meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Parking is available in the Civic Center Parking Structure above the meeting room.
  • A tour of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) will follow the formal meeting, starting at 1:15 p.m. Please wear closed-toed shoes.
  • There will also be an option to participate in the meeting virtually. A Zoom meeting registration link will be sent out with the agenda about one week prior.
  • Whether you plan to attend in person or via Zoom, please RSVP by Friday, December 1st by filling out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/6B7UknVNmz. Please indicate if you plan on joining for lunch, the formal meeting, and/or the tour, so that we may get an accurate count. This meeting will have a capacity limit of 50 people.
Dec
7
Thu
San Diego Chapter Meeting @ San Diego County Water Authority in Kearny Mesa
Dec 7 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Save the date for our December chapter meeting!

Please save the date for our last chapter meeting of the year on Thursday, December 7 at 3 p.m. This meeting will be held in person at the San Diego County Water Authority in Kearny Mesa, followed by a happy hour at Khan’s Cave

The meeting will include a presentation from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District on their recycled water project, 2024 officer elections, regulatory updates, and more! We look forward to seeing you all there.

 

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Dec
8
Fri
Meeting of the Board of Directors – Fourth Quarter 2023
Dec 8 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, December 8, 2023

11:00 am to 2:00 pm ET (Remote)

Dec
12
Tue
Orange County Chapter Meeting @ Virtual
Dec 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Dec
13
Wed
WateReuse Florida December Board Meeting
Dec 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Dec
14
Thu
WateReuse Webcast: Carbon Based Advanced Treatment for Water Reuse. Sponsored by Hazen & Sawyer
Dec 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
WateReuse Webcast: Carbon Based Advanced Treatment for Water Reuse. Sponsored by Hazen & Sawyer

11 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

With water supply limitations driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change, along with more stringent regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges, direct or indirect potable reuse is becoming increasingly essential to address water resiliency issues. Carbon Based Advanced Treatment (CBAT) has increasingly been adopted as a treatment solution to treat municipal effluent to provide a safe, reliable augmentation of drinking water supplies.

CBAT involves the use of biologically activated carbon (BAC) usually with ozone, followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) to achieve advanced treatment of water. It may also include flocculation/sedimentation and UV disinfection. Join a panel of experts to explore the various combinations of this process, and get updates on key case studies using CBAT for potable reuse.

Moderator:

TBD

Speakers:

  • Andrew Newbold, Principal Engineer, Hazen & Sawyer
  • Gaya Ram Mohan, PhD, PE, Environmental Engineer, Hazen & Sayer
  • Erik Rosenfeldt, PhD, PE, National Drinking Water Practice Leader, Hazen & Sawyer
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
Dec 14 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

We will hold an inperson meeting at Western Municipal Water District.

 

Please RSVP HERE for this meeting by Thursday, December 7th

Dec
15
Fri
Arizona Water Reuse 2024 Symposium – Call for Abstracts Deadline
Dec 15 all-day
Dec
19
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Dec 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Dec
20
Wed
WateReuse Pacific Northwest: Localizing Communications Strategy
Dec 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
WateReuse Pacific Northwest: Localizing Communications Strategy

10:00 am PT | 1 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

Across the country, more and more communities are exploring reuse as part of a larger water management strategy. But even the best public projects live and die by community acceptance, and history has shown this is doubly true for water reuse projects. Community engagement is a vital element to designing and launching plans that will create lasting impact. Community engagement is not, however, a one-size-fits-all endeavor. What motivates communities in Seattle will not be the same as Boise, or rural Oregon. In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of localizing a communications and engagement strategy to reflect the values, culture and drivers of each specific community. We will look at two Pacific Northwest case studies from Boise and the WateReuse Oregon Subcommittee that demonstrate effective, local engagement approaches.

 

Moderator:

Holly Tichenor, Management Consulting National Practice Leader, Brown and Caldwell, WateReuse PNW Board President

Presenters:

  • Natalie Monro, Communications Coordinator, City of Bellingham, WateReuse PNW Board VP
  • Haley Falconer, Environmental Division Senior Manager, City of Boise
  • Jared Kinnear, Reuse Program Manager, Clean Water Services

 

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WateReuse is the only trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. Our niche strategy sets us apart from other organizations in the water industry.

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