March 12, 2019

Washington Update

Administration Proposes Cuts to Water Reuse Funding

House Bill Reauthorizes EPA Water Recycling Program, Clean Water SRF

Join Us in Washington, DC for the National Water Policy Fly-In, Register Today

Advocacy Action Needed! Ask Your Member of Congress to Support Investments in Water Reuse

Congressional Hearing Discusses Funding for Water Infrastructure, Including Reuse

State Updates and Member Spotlight

California: Commentary Explains Why Reuse Makes More Sense than Importing Water

A commentary published last week by Robert Glennon, a university professor and author, praises the work that California is doing in increasing the amount of water it reuses and reducing its reliance on imported water. Southern California traditionally imports water from the Sierra Nevada, the Colorado River or elsewhere to augment what is available locally, which can be expensive and face environmental objections. Glennon argues that the recent announcement from Los Angeles that it has set an aspirational goal to recycle all of its wastewater by 2035 demonstrates California is discovering that wastewater has incredible value. Read More.

California: Olivenhain Converts HOA to Recycled Water

WateReuse Association member Olivenhain Municipal Water District (OMWD) is providing recycled water to the Del Rayo Downs Homeowner Association (HOA) in Rancho Santa Fe. OMWD is working with large irrigators on the benefits of retrofitting their irrigation systems for recycled water use including schools, homeowner associations and golf courses. Del Ray Downs’ conversion to recycled water enables the HOA to save money on its monthly water bill while decreasing costly imported water demands by approximately 16.5 acre-feet annually. Read More.

Oklahoma: Bartlesville Moves Forward with First Water Reuse Project

WateReuse Association member Tetra Tech has been contracted to begin designing the first water reuse project for City of Bartlesville, including a water reuse pump station, pipeline, and renovation of the water intake structure located on the Caney River. The design work will be completed by February 2020. In 2001, the area experienced a sustained drought where there were only six months of water remaining in Hulah Lake, which triggered a number of studies. The community currently pumps 7 million gallons of treated effluent into the Carney River. Under the proposal, half of the effluent would be diverted for reuse. Read More.

Virginia: Hampton Roads Aquifer Recharge Project Gets Stricter Oversight

Governor Ralph Northam signed legislation that establishes the Potomac Aquifer Recharge Oversight Committee to monitor Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD) plan to refill the Potomac Aquifer with purified water. The 10-person advisory committee is required to meet at least quarterly during its first three years of existence, and HRSD would fund the committee during that time. The legislation also creates the Potomac Aquifer Recharge Monitoring Laboratory under the direction of faculty from two Virginia universities. The lab will monitor the project’s effect on the aquifer, manage test data, and conduct testing and analysis of the water. HRSD plans to build the program’s first full-scale treatment facility by the end of 2023. Read More.

Research Update

U.S. Faces Fresh Water Shortages Will Create a Driver for Increased Reuse

The pressures of climate change and population growth could cause water shortages in most of the United States, according to preliminary government-backed research. As many as 96 water basins out of the 204 supplying most of the country with freshwater could fail to meet monthly demand starting in 2071, a team of scientists said in the journal Earth’s Future. Water shortages would result from increased demand by a growing population, as well shrinking rainfall totals and greater evaporation caused by global warming. Read More.

Association Update

WateReuse Association Celebrates 2018 Milestones in Annual Report

In 2018, the WateReuse Association expanded membership, increased outreach, and strengthened advocacy to meet a growing interest in water recycling, as illustrated in the 2018 Annual Report. There were notable successes at the national level and within state sections, including popular events and successful engagement with regulators and legislators. The association also engaged in strategic partnerships to extend its reach of education and advocacy priorities. To learn more, read the 2018 Annual Report.

Conferences and Events

Webcast: What are the Best Opportunities for Industrial Water Reuse?

Please join us on March 13 at 2 pm eastern to learn which industries are investing in water reuse and in what ways. Learn about new data from Bluefield Research that will reveal reuse strategies for key industries, drivers for investment in reuse, the best geographic opportunities for industrial reuse, how industries are collaborating with municipalities, and more. Register Now!

Webcast: Advancing the Seawater Desalination Knowledge Base

Please join us on March 14 at 3 p.m. eastern to learn about the latest advancements in seawater desalination via reverse osmosis. Presented in partnership with The Water Research Foundation, this webcast will discuss two recent studies that explore advancements in seawater desalination from pretreatment to integration of desalinated water into water systems. Register Now!

Save the Date: 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California

Mark your calendar for the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium is in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2019. This year’s theme is “Collaborate to Innovate.” We will showcase recycled water collaborations among utilities, farmers, and industry; regulators working together at both the state and federal level; sustainability; public/private partnerships; and, for the first time, the latest in reuse research led by the Water Research Foundation. Learn More.

Upcoming Events