How Do You Reach New Heights in Reuse? Participate in the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium to Prepare for the Water Reuse Workforce of the Future
Washington Update
WateReuse Association Secures Key Wins in House $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan
Join WateReuse for a Virtual Town Hall with Congressional Staff
WateReuse Submits Letter in Support of Private Activity Bonds for Water Infrastructure
In response to H.R. 2, the WateReuse Association submitted a joint letter to leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee urging the removal of the volume cap on private activity bonds (PABs) for water infrastructure projects. With communities nationwide facing serious investment gaps in water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, PABs are an effective option for the federal government to support long-term, capital-intensive infrastructure projects.
The letter states, “Congress already eliminated the volume cap on PABs issued to build airports, high-speed rail, ports, or solid waste disposal sites. Similarly, water and wastewater projects, like these projects—are complex, multi-year efforts. An annual volume cap hinders the use of PABs for water infrastructure projects because of the long planning cycles. Elimination of the volume cap would unleash an effective tool for state and local governments to increase needed investment in water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.”
Bureau of Reclamation Awards $5.8 Million for Desalination and Reuse
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded $5.8 million to 22 laboratory and pilot-scale water reuse and desalination research projects, including projects sponsored by WateReuse Association members the City of Westminster in Maryland and Silicon Valley Clean Water in California.
The City of Westminster was awarded $347,500 to support the first potable reuse pilot project in the State of Maryland. Silicon Valley Clean Water received $799,908 toward a study on how a novel anaerobic biological treatment system could be integrated with potable and non-potable reuse treatment trains for more efficient treatment. The $5.8 million in federal funding was matched by $9.3 million in non-federal cost-share for certain projects.
EPA Seeks Vacancies for National Drinking Water Advisory Council
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is inviting nominations to fill vacancies on the National Drinking Water Advisory Council. Established by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the 15-member council provides independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on matters relating to the activities, functions, policies, and regulations required by the SDWA. EPA is filling five vacancies with three-year appointments from December 2020 through December 2023. Nominations are due July 13, 2020.
Stormwater Experts Call for Clearer Guidelines for EPA’s Industrial Stormwater Permit
In response to a call for water-sector feedback on proposed updates to the U.S. EPA’s Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) convened stormwater experts that made recommendations for “clearer permit guidelines and reiterated that effective stormwater control at the industrial level reduces regulatory burdens on the other types of EPA permittees.” WEF developed six workgroups specializing in areas such as stormwater control measures, monitoring requirements, and PAHs. Read More.
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Member!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:
Texas: El Paso Water to Recharge Aquifer with Rio Grande Water
El Paso Water is designing a new indirect potable reuse project that will take treated Rio Grande water during plentiful years and use it to recharge a local aquifer. In a recent blog post, El Paso Chief Technical Officer and WateReuse President, Gilbert Trejo, describes how the project will “bank” water in wet years so that it is available in drought years. The project will capture stormwater and receive some quantity of wastewater treated to drinking water standards. Read More.
Wyoming: DEQ Provides First-Ever Permits to Land Apply Cleaned Produced Water
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved a first of its kind permits allowing Encore Green Environmental to land apply uncontaminated produced water that meets the state’s water quality standards in three counties. Encore Green works with energy companies and ranchers to recycle produced water from oil and gas drilling to improve Wyoming’s soil, air, and vegetation. These permits build upon Encore Green’s initial permit for a pilot project with ranchers. Read More.
Member Profile: Suez to Donate $1.75 Million to North American COVID-19 Charities
In the face of a pandemic that has created unprecedented suffering across the United States and Canada, SUEZ, which operates in North America as SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions and SUEZ North America, is earmarking a donation of $1.75 million that will be directed to food pantries, health care facilities, United Way, and similar COVID-19 emergency response organizations. In North America, SUEZ provides drinking water and wastewater treatment, as well as waste collection services, to communities across the United States and Canada. The company will be making similar donations in other countries in which it operates. Read More.
Research Update
Water Research Foundation Publishes Guidance on Wastewater Surveillance of COVID-19
The Water Research Foundation published guidance from the International Water Research Summit on Environmental Surveillance of COVID-19 Indicators in Sewersheds. The guidance presents recommendations from global experts on potential uses of wastewater surveillance for tracking COVID-19, sampling design, analytical tools, and communication of results to public health decision makers, the public, and other key stakeholders. Read More.
Rice University, Howard University, and Black & Veatch Partner to Advance Water Reuse
The National Science Foundation has provided $400,000 in grants to conduct research on Houston’s wastewater system resiliency. A team of researchers from Rice University, Howard University, and Black & Veatch are assessing how wastewater treatment strategies, such as reuse, can promote space, energy, and cost-efficient resilience. With the advancement of many wastewater facilities, the group will be focusing on biofilm-based technologies, evaluating their resiliency at full-scale during wet weather events. Read More.
WateReuse Communications Tools and Resources
Understanding Potable Reuse: New Video Educates Public Health and Medical Community
The WateReuse Association’s video, Understanding Potable Reuse: A Safe and Sustainable Supply, discusses the science-based treatment processes that are used safely in communities around the world. In the video, experts from academia, public health, and utilities discuss the value of engaging with the medical community and including discussions of water in public health education. The video was produced as part of the WateReuse Public Health and Medical Community Initiative.
Awards and Recognition for Water Reuse
Water Sector Seeks Applications for Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program
The application period is open for the Utility of the Future Today recognition program, which honors water resource recovery facilities for community engagement, watershed stewardship, water reuse, and recovery of other resources such as energy and nutrients. The Utility of the Future Today concept is as a model for utilities to achieve more efficient operations, enhanced productivity, and long-term sustainability. The WateReuse Association participates in the joint initiative with the Water Environment Federation, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the Water Research Foundation Public and private water sector utilities of all sizes that can demonstrate achievement of the application requirements are encouraged to apply by July 17 at 5 p.m. EDT.
Conferences and Events
WateReuse California Hosts Successful Virtual Conference
WateReuse California welcomed nearly 600 people to its first virtual conference, which launched June 24-25. The conference included more than 50 technical presentations with audience Q&A and handouts, live and interactive panel discussions, an interactive sponsor and exhibitor hall, and a virtual cocktail party reception. Kristin Peer, Deputy Secretary and Special Counsel for Water Policy at Cal EPA gave a keynote presentation on COVID-19 Challenges and California’s Water Resilience Portfolio. The conference continues to available to conference registrants, on demand, through the end of July.
WateReuse Pacific Northwest Hosts Webcast Series in July
- Reuse for Managing Nutrients – July 17, 11:00-12:30 PDT
How can water reuse help you manage nutrients and water quality? Our presenters will discuss two examples: “Reuse Opportunities in San Francisco Bay Nutrient Reduction” and “Recycled Water for TMDL Compliance at Clean Water Services in Oregon.” Presented by WateReuse Pacific Northwest, the presentation will explore how two communities have used water recycling to improve water quality. Register Now! - Reuse in the Pacific Northwest – July 31, 11:00-12:30 PDT
Join us for an overview of how water recycling is expanding as a critical water management strategy in the Pacific Northwest region. From decentralized reuse in Portland to wastewater management options for small communities, water reuse is increasingly seen as a vital tool. The presentation will include case studies from Portland, Oregon and Hagerman, Idaho. Register Now!
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
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