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March 18, 2019

Washington Update

Bureau of Reclamation Announces $35 Million for Water Recycling Projects

The Bureau of Reclamation published a $35 million funding opportunity for the sponsors of congressionally authorized Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse projects to request cost-shared funding for the planning, design, and/or construction of those projects. The funding opportunity is available at www.grants.gov by searching for funding opportunity number BOR-DO-19-F007. Applications are due on April 22, 2019.

This funding opportunity is only open to sponsors of the 53 congressional authorized Title XVI projects, provided that the Title XVI Project has not reached its federal funding ceiling as specified in the Title XVI Act. A separate funding opportunity for Title XVI projects eligible under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (Title XVI WINN) will be released later in the fiscal year.

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

Register for the National Water Policy Fly-In, April 3-4, in Washington, DC. The National Water Policy Fly-In is the anchor event of Water Week 2019 and brings together the nation’s water sector to speak with one voice to Congress and the Administration. The agenda includes a plenary session on U.S. EPA Water Priorities and federal agency roundtables at the Hyatt Regency Washington, as well as congressional office visits. With a new Congress in place, your attendance and engagement are more critical than ever. WateReuse urges members to join us in Washington DC to ensure that the water reuse message is an integral part of the Water Week message. A webcast recorded March 14 provides tips to help you prepare for your visit.

Building upon the momentum of major advocacy wins in 2018— including the bipartisan passage of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act that incorporated key provisions beneficial to water recycling —and the significant potential for congressional focus on infrastructure during the next session, it is crucial that policymakers hear directly from you about the specific challenges to your utility and community. Now is the time to redouble our efforts to press for the water sector’s main priorities, and educate policymakers even more about the benefits of water reuse.

Water Week 2019 will communicate the direct value of water for economic development, job creation, public health and a sustainable environment. Make your plans to participate in this special week, and join us as we elevate water as a powerful national priority!

Contact WateReuse Policy Director Greg Fogel with questions about Water Week and the National Water Policy Fly-In.

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New Legislation Would Extend Term for NPDES Permits

On Thursday, March 14, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced H.R. 1764, a bill to extend the maximum term for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued under the federal Clean Water Act from 5 to 10 years, to better reflect the construction schedules for public agencies. The bill is cosponsored by Congressmen Ken Calvert (R-CA) and Rob Woodall (R-GA). WateReuse recently joined with other water sector groups to deliver a letter of support for the legislation.

Modern wastewater treatment often involves substantial investment of capital with construction terms that stretch out beyond the existing five-year permit term horizon. The authority to extend NPDES permit terms up to a fixed period of ten years would better reflect today’s clean water infrastructure reality by enhancing the planning and efficiency of facility permitting, giving agencies the necessary time to comply with existing regulatory requirements prior to the imposition of new mandates, and allowing states to direct more resources to stormwater, nonpoint and watershed-based solutions.

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State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Members!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following news members:

Association Update

Missed a Recent WateReuse Webcast? Watch the Recording

The WateReuse Association and its partners presented three webcasts last week on topics ranging from industrial reuse opportunities and seawater desalination to preparation for the National Water Policy Fly-In on April 3-4 in Washington, DC. To watch a recorded webcast, select an event below:

Conferences and Events

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.

Bureau of Reclamation Stakeholder Meeting to Include Recycled Water Funding Discussion

The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation will host an interactive stakeholder’s workshop, April 16-17, at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood, Colorado. In addition to sharing what Reclamation and DOI are doing with programs such as the Title XVI water reuse program, the hosts will seek input on how they can improve their program. To learn more and RSVP for the event, click here.

Conference Examines Mission Oriented Communications at Utilities

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) will host 2019 Strategic Communications: H2O, June 3-4 in Cleveland, Ohio to help clean water utilities create proactive communications platforms. Participants will share expert strategies, action plans and peer-to-peer solutions to improve your platform and reap the benefits of becoming part of the nationwide network of clean water communicators. Learn More.

Upcoming Events

Oct

Tue

Los Angeles Chapter Meeting @ Zoom Video Conference

Tickets

Oct 13 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfu-rrDkiH93ieQvZRH7XnfhxV3KN73Xs

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Categories: Los Angeles WateReuse California

Oct

Thu

Central Valley/Sierra Foothills Chapter Meeting

Tickets

Oct 15 all-day

Categories: Central Valley/Sierra Foothills Chapter WateReuse California

Orange County Chapter Meeting @ TBD

Tickets

Oct 15 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Categories: Orange County Chapter WateReuse California

Oct

Wed

WateReuse Pacific Northwest Meeting

Tickets

Oct 21 all-day

Categories: WateReuse Pacific Northwest

Oct

Mon

9th Annual Water Reuse in Texas Virtual Conference

Tickets

Oct 26 @ 1:00 pm – Oct 27 @ 5:00 pm

Co-Produced by WateReuse Texas, WEAT and TAWWA, the Water Reuse in Texas Virtual Conference is Monday, October 26-27.

Learn More.

Categories: Conferences WateReuse Texas

Oct

Thu

What Strikes Fear in the Hearts of Arizona Water and Wastewater Utilities? Brine Management

Tickets

Oct 29 @ 10:00 am

WateReuse Arizona Section Meeting & Webinar

Will be hosted at Brown and Caldwell if able to gather in person.

There has been a perception that brine management is a “down the road” issue for water providers in Arizona. However, for the Phoenix Metro West Valley and the Tucson area water suppliers, that is not the case. The Easy button to discharge to the sanitary sewer system is a short term fix that is not working. Brine ponds smell and are expensive. Regional solutions may be required. An update on the Central Arizona Salinity Study options and new options will be reviewed with associated costs presented. This update can provide a basis for the continuing, collaborative, brine management conversation.

Presenter

Maria Brady, Project Manager, Stantec Consulting
Maria Brady is a Project Manager with Stantec Consulting. She has more than 30 years’ experience in water, wastewater, storm water, and environmental management projects. Maria graduated from Washington State and Colorado State Universities with BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Engineering. Maria has lived in Arizona for 34 years…which makes her an Arizona native in dog years!! Maria is the Central Arizona Trustee for WateReuse and if you ask her about DPR you are in for a lively conversation.

Categories: WateReuse Arizona

Nov

Wed

WateReuse Pacific Northwest Meeting

Tickets

Nov 18 all-day

Categories: WateReuse Pacific Northwest

Dec

Fri

2020 4th Quarter Meeting of the Board of Directors

Tickets

Dec 4 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm