Coronavirus pandemic is upon us all: The WateReuse Association is taking the coronavirus pandemic with the utmost seriousness it requires. The pandemic has already forced the postponement of several section conferences scheduled to take place through July.
At this point, the 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium scheduled for September 13-16 in Denver, CO will go forward as planned, and we will monitor the situation as we move into late Spring.
As many of our member organizations have done, Association staff in the national office is adjusting to telecommuting schedules to protect our health and make accommodations for our school children’s schedules; however, we remain open for business, so please reach out. Stay safe.
Washington Update
WateReuse Urges Investments in Water Recycling as Part of Coronavirus Stimulus Package
WateReuse Advocates for Increased Funding for Water Recycling in FY 2021
EPA Announces $62 Million WIFIA Loan for Water Recycling Facility in Morro Bay, California
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a $62 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to the City of Morro Bay, California, a WateReuse Association member, to replace its 63-year old wastewater treatment plant with a new treatment and water recycling facility. These improvements will reduce discharges into the ocean as well as increase water supply and flood resilience. Morro Bay, which has a population of 10,600, is the first small community nationwide to receive a WIFIA loan. The $126 million project will help Morro Bay reduce reliance on imported water and improve groundwater quality with the addition of highly treated water. The California State Water Resources Control Board will finance approximately $64 million from its Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Fund.
Federal Agencies Provide Guidance on Water and COVID-19
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are providing guidance to water professionals and the public on water transmission and COVID-19. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus survives the disinfection process for drinking water, wastewater, and recycled water, according to the CDC. No COVID-19–specific protections, beyond routine practices to prevent exposure to wastewater, are recommended for employees involved in wastewater management operations. Some WateReuse members, including the Dublin San Ramon Services District and El Dorado Irrigation District in California, are including information about the safety of recycled water in their COVID-19 messaging.
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: Fallbrook Selects Hazen and Sawyer to Design Potable Reuse Project
WateReuse Association member the Fallbrook Public Utility District (FPUD) has awarded a $745,000 contract to Hazen and Sawyer, also a member, to design an indirect potable reuse pilot project. The pilot project will determine the feasibility of developing advanced purification facilities to treat existing water both from U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and from FPUD. FPUD and Camp Pendleton currently discharge approximately 2.6 million gallons per day of treated water into the Pacific Ocean through the Oceanside Outfall. The pilot project will consist of two pilot facilities and a tracer study. Read More.
California: Valley Water Employee Tests Positive for Coronavirus, CEO Norma Camacho Enters Self-Quarantine
WateReuse Association member Valley Water announced that an employee has tested positive for coronavirus, and at least eight other employees, including CEO and former WateReuse Association board member Norma Camacho, were in self-quarantine as a result. In a statement, Camacho reassured the community that the virus is not impacting the safety of the drinking water or the district’s ability to supply water in Santa Clara County. Valley Water’s system includes three water treatment plants, a recycled water purification center, and a water quality laboratory. Read More.
California: Ukiah’s Recycled Water System Passes Vineyard Frost Protection Test
The City of Ukiah, a WateReuse Association member, conducted a successful recycled water system test last week to test the capacity of its new recycled water system that is providing recycled water to vineyards for frost protection and irrigation. The recycled water system was built to eventually deliver recycled water to approximately 650 acres of agriculture, 20 acres of pasture, and 15 acres of turf, including three parks and a school. The project also includes a 66-million gallon reservoir, and a pumping station that can deliver 3,500 gallons a minute. Read More.
California: Metropolitan’s Regional Recycled Water Program Receives National Recognition
Engineering News-Record California and Northwest, an engineering and construction publication, has recognized WateReuse Association member the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California as this year’s Owner of the Year. This recognition is for Metropolitan’s Regional Recycled Water Program and start-up of the Advanced Purification Center, an effort to meet Southern California’s need for an additional water source through innovation and efficiency. Read More.
WateReuse Communications Tools and Resources
Need to Illustrate the Value of Water Reuse Investment? Use Our Flyer and Infographic
Utilities must make a compelling case to ratepayers, policymakers, and other stakeholders that investment in water recycling is the right decision. Use our flyer and infographic to illustrate that Investment in water reuse builds communities that are modern, sustainable and stable—ready for families to flourish and businesses to grow. The infographic highlights examples of recycled water from coast to coast and documents the value they bring.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: Effective PFAS Treatment: Challenges and Solutions for Potable Reuse
Join us on March 25 at 2 pm ET to learn about the latest science on effective treatment for PFAS. This webcast focuses on the fate of PFAS in recycled water destined for potable reuse, and will include results from different advanced treatment processes ranging from bench-scale evaluations to permanent potable reuse treatment demonstration projects. The data illustrate important considerations during treatment selection, design, and operation to meet PFAS treatment goals. Register Now!
Webcast: Breaking Down Implementation Barriers for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems
What are the key components of a successful onsite non-potable water system? Join us April 15 at 2 pm to learn about a Water Research Foundation guidance manual and interactive training modules to tackle critical knowledge gaps businesses and utilities. The presentation will cover treatment goals, effective design, strategies for effective operation and monitoring, and regulatory and permitting frameworks. Register Now!
Upcoming Events
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErcOypqjgsHtwmGaUIM0hd5mvgjfwX4pgY
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Join Dr. A. Rasem Hasan, a professor and researcher at An-Najah National University in Nablus, West Bank, to learn about recent challenges, social and technical, and proposed solutions to increase water recycling in Palestine.
Join Us!
1:00 – 2:00 pm Eastern | 10:00 am – 11:00 am Pacific
WateReuse Members: Free
Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Although a small country with many water resource challenges, Palestine relies on agriculture as a critical component of its economy. About 50 percent of the land is designated agricultural yet only 7 percent is irrigated, creating an opportunity for water reuse to play a key role in water conservation, food security, and economic growth. Join Dr. A. Rasem Hasan, a professor and researcher at An-Najah National University in Nablus, West Bank, to learn about recent challenges, social and technical, and proposed solutions to increase water recycling in Palestine.
Dr. Hasan will present research on how to overcome funding limitations to develop water reuse projects of varying sizes in a semi-arid to arid region. The presentation will discuss rural wastewater management and reuse, industrial wastewater management, brackish water desalination for drinking and irrigation, and climate change adaptation.
Join us for a presentation organized by the WateReuse International Committee that will offer insight into the unique experiences of communities where low funded projects can have significant impact on society.
Moderator
- Dr. Zoreh Movahed, WATEK
Presenter
- Dr. A. Rasem Hasan is currently the Director of Water and Environmental Studies institute, and faculty member of Civil Engineering Department, at An-Najah National University in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine. He has as a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami, Florida, USA, MSc in Water Engineering from Birzeit University, Palestine, and B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Mutah University, Jordan. Dr. Hasan received several academic awards and has 20+ years of work experience as consultant and academic in the fields of water and environmental engineering. His research interests are water desalination, wastewater treatment and management, water reuse, and hazardous waste management.
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36th Annual WateReuse Symposium: Redefining Resiliency
March 15-25, 2021
Join us for a series of live and on demand virtual roundtables!
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