Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – March 4, 2019

March 4, 2019

Washington Update

EPA Announces Development of Water Reuse Action Plan, Draft Plan to be Released at Annual WateReuse Symposium

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the development of a Water Reuse Action Plan at a February 27 water reuse workshop in San Francisco. The plan will leverage the expertise of both industry and government to ensure the effective use of the nation’s water resources. WateReuse President Paul Jones, General Manager of the Eastern Municipal Water District, and WateReuse Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi were on hand for the announcement and participated in the workshop sponsored by Suez Water Technologies and Solutions. A draft of the plan is scheduled for release and public review in September at the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego.

The Water Reuse Action Plan will seek to foster water reuse as an important component of integrated water resource management. EPA will facilitate discussions among federal, state, and water sector stakeholders and form new partnerships to develop and deploy the plan. For more information, including opportunities to engage with EPA on this effort, visit EPA.

Show less

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.

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.

Show less

House Hearings Focus on Water Supply Reliability and Climate Change, Key Drivers for Water Reuse

The U.S. House of Representatives convened hearings on Tuesday, February 26 on water supply reliability and climate change, two key issues that drive the development of water reuse projects. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife heard from witnesses on the State of Water Supply Reliability in the 21st Century, while the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change. The Water Supply Reliability hearing included significant discussion of water recycling and the Climate Change hearing included testimony on the importance of investment in modern water reuse infrastructure and the need to encourage water use efficiency.

In the Water Supply Reliability hearing, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), chair of the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife, began his opening statement by stressing the importance of water supply reliability. He stated that one of his main goals is to help establish a factual and scientific baseline that can be used for future discussion of these issues. He identified priority issues, including the construction of new water infrastructure, smart storage, water reuse, and desalination projects. Rep. Grace Napolitano added that water-recycling infrastructure is underfunded and referenced legislation that she has introduced (HR 1162) to increase funding authorization for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI water recycling competitive grant program to $500 million from $50 million. Witness Tony Willardson, Executive Director of the Western States Water Council, said that his organization supports Rep. Napolitano’s approach to diversifying water resources and supplies.

The purpose of the Climate Change hearing was to examine the role the transportation sector plays in climate change and to learn from individuals in the public and private sectors that have demonstrated pragmatic solutions for reducing carbon emissions and building resilient infrastructure. Witness James M. Proctor II, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of McWane Inc., provided the committee with his insight on water infrastructure and he made a case for the need for more federal investment. Proctor said last year’s America’s Water Infrastructure Act made significant strides toward addressing that need by fully authorizing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects, including water recycling projects, in the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), and increasing the authorizations for three State Revolving Funds (SRFs).

Show less

WateReuse Joins Water Sector in Urging Funding for Federal Research Funds to Advance Water Recycling

The WateReuse Association singed onto a joint water sector letter sent to congressional appropriators on February 25 urging $20 million to support the EPA’s National Priorities Water Research program and $10 million for the Innovative Water Technologies grant program for FY 2020, two programs that advance the science and practice of water recycling. In 2019 Congress appropriated $5 million to support the EPA’s National Priorities Water Research program. This is the only source of federal funds that supports collaborative, extramural, cost-shared partnerships with non-profit, water-sector research institutions that address the water sector’s research needs. In addition, Congress authorized a $10 million federal investment in the development, deployment and demonstration of water technologies through the Innovative Water Technologies grant program through the America’s Water Infrastructure Act.

Show less

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Members!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:

National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
Warner and Associates

Maryland: Baltimore Receives WIFIA Loan for Upgrades and Repairs

WateReuse Association member the City of Baltimore is the seventh recipient of a loan under the U.S. EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The City of Baltimore’s $202 million loan will complete a program of 14 projects to repair, rehabilitate, and replace existing wastewater conveyances, update treatment plants, and manage stormwater. The City expects to save up to $40 million by financing the project with a WIFIA loan. Read More.

Hazen and Sawyer Publishes Overview of Groundwater Recharge in the US

WateReuse Association member Hazen and Sawyer published an article, Water Reuse for Groundwater Augmentation: State of the Industry, that discusses drivers, treatment technologies, regulatory challenges, and regional differences that impact potable reuse. The article provides historical context and discusses specific projects around the country to provide a broad overview of the state of the industry. Read More.

Association Update

WateReuse Executive Director Participates on Water Reuse and Desalination Policy Panels

WateReuse Association Executive Director participated on two policy panels last week, offering the association’s expertise on advocacy issues related to water reuse and desalination. On February 27, Sinicropi presented on policies that support water reuse at the Resource Revolution of Water Reuse workshop in San Francisco sponsored by the Wharton Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership and Suez Water Technologies and Solutions. On March 1, Sinicropi offered her perspective on federal direction in desalination policy development, legislation, research and project funding during the 2019 Salinity Summit in Las Vegas.

WateReuse and Members Participate in Membrane Technology Conference

The WateReuse Association exhibited at the 2019 Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition, February 25-28 in New Orleans, and partnered with the American Membrane Technology Association and American Water Works Association in promoting the event. WateReuse Board members Bart Weiss of the Hillsborough Public Utilities Department and Paul Steinbrecher of JEA presented on potable reuse and more than two dozen WateReuse members shared the podium, presented posters, showed off their wares at the exposition, and sponsored the conference. WateReuse staff Greg Fogel, Policy Director, and Erin DiMenna, Membership Director, met with members and informed conference attendees about our powerful coalition of utilities, businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies.

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

Jan

Wed

Communications Collaborative Group Next Meeting @ Pure Water Monterey

Tickets

Jan 29 @ 10:00 am – 1:30 pm

Wednesday, January 29, 2020
– 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pure Water Monterey, located at 14811 Del Monte Blvd, Marina, CA 93933. The meeting includes lunch and a tour.
– Agenda
– Please RSVP no later than 1/22/20.

To RSVP to attend in person, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/6hbco4sVPJRosRe46. Detailed driving and parking directions will be provided to those who RSVP.
To register to participate via webinar, please complete this form: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4714919568173938700 .

Categories: WateReuse California

Feb

Wed

Developing Regulatory Frameworks for Potable Reuse

Tickets

Feb 5 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

Today’s technology allows us to treat virtually any source of water to meet any need including drinking, but many states lack regulations to allow these projects to move forward. WateReuse Association State Sections are taking the lead in collaborating with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders to develop regulatory frameworks to implement potable reuse. Join us to learn about recent efforts in Colorado and Florida that are paving the way for potable reuse.

The State of Colorado is considering regulating direct potable reuse (DPR). To support this effort, WateReuse Colorado sponsored the formation of an Independent Advisory Expert Panel to develop regulatory guidelines for the state. Larry Schimmoller, chair of the Panel, will review the process used to develop the regulatory guidelines, discuss the specific recommendations included in the guidelines, and present the next steps in the regulatory process.

WateReuse Florida took the initiative to bring together a diverse group of water professionals and end user stakeholders to participate in a consensus base effort to identify and address technical, regulatory, and implementation barriers to potable reuse in Florida. The Florida Potable Reuse Commission was formed to develop a framework document for potable reuse implantation in Florida to augment future water supply and support water quality initiatives. Lynn Spivey, WateReuse Florida President, and Potable Reuse Commission Chair, will be discussing the 18-month effort and the newly published Framework document.

Presenters

Larry Schimmoller
Chair, Independent Advisory Expert Panel, Colorado DPR Framework Project
Global Technology Leader for Water Reuse, Jacobs

Lynn Spivey
Chair, Florida Potable Reuse Commission
President, WateReuse Florida
Director of Utilities, City of Plant City (Florida

Categories: Webcasts

Feb

Fri

WateReuse Arizona Section Meeting & Webinar @ Tuscson Water

Tickets

Feb 7 @ 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

The event includes a meeting of the Board Trustees and a webinar on PFAS.

Categories: WateReuse Arizona

Feb

Tue

Los Angeles Chapter Meeting

Tickets

Feb 11 all-day

Categories: Los Angeles WateReuse California

Wake up to WateReuse: Nevada’s 1st State Summit

Tickets

Feb 11 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

WateReuse Nevada’s inaugural inter-state gathering for water professionals to discuss current topics and future trends. Topics will cover the current state and future prospects of water recycling in Nevada; state, agency, and industry partnership; and a current look at scientific advancements at Nevada universities.

Categories: Conferences WateReuse Nevada

Mar

Fri

Meeting of the Board of Directors @ San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters

Tickets

Mar 13 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Categories: Board Meetings

Mar

Sun

2020 WateReuse California Annual Conference @ Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Tickets

Mar 15 @ 8:00 am – Mar 17 @ 5:00 pm

The Annual WateReuse California Conference brings together utilities, businesses, policymakers, and large water users from across the state to examine the latest issues and technologies in water recycling.

Categories: Conferences Featured WateReuse California

Apr

Fri

Central Valley/Sierra Foothills Chapter Meeting

Tickets

Apr 24 all-day

Categories: Central Valley/Sierra Foothills Chapter WateReuse California

May

Mon

2020 WateReuse Pacific Northwest Conference @ Brightwater Center

Tickets

May 18 – May 20 all-day

Mark your calendars for May 19-20, 2020 for the WateReuse Pacific Northwest annual conference. This year’s conference will be held at King County’s Brightwater Center, an environmental education and event center located on the Brightwater Treatment Plant campus. An impressive conference program is being planned featuring innovative reuse projects, research, education and community outreach, new regulatory directions and an operator session tailored to reuse facility operations.