March 4, 2019
Washington Update
EPA Announces Development of Water Reuse Action Plan, Draft Plan to be Released at Annual WateReuse Symposium
Join Us in Washington, DC for the National Water Policy Fly-In, Register Today
House Hearings Focus on Water Supply Reliability and Climate Change, Key Drivers for Water Reuse
WateReuse Joins Water Sector in Urging Funding for Federal Research Funds to Advance Water Recycling
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
Webcast
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific; 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Fee: WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Singapore is a small island nation and is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. In the early years of its nation building, with limited land to collect and store rainwater, Singapore faced drought, floods and water pollution. These challenges inspired the Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s National Water Agency, to strategize and seek innovative ideas, develop capabilities and secure a sustainable supply of water. Today, PUB has developed a diversified and sustainable water supply strategy for Singapore with the Four National Taps. The Four National Taps are local catchment water, imported water, NEWater and desalinated water.
This Webinar focuses on Singapore’s third National Tap, NEWater. NEWater refers to the high-grade reclaimed water that is produced using advanced membrane and ultraviolet technologies. It is primarily supplied to non-domestic sectors such as wafer fabrication plants, petrochemical plants, manufacturing industries and commercial buildings for industrial and air-conditioning purposes. A small percentage of NEWater is also injected into the reservoirs before being treated at the waterworks for drinking water supply. Participants of this Webinar will learn about the development of NEWater in Singapore, including R&D efforts and strategies to overcome various operational challenges.
Presenters
Bingrui Liu has been the Operations Engineer at Kranji NEWater Factory since 2017 after graduating from Boston University with a BA(Hons) in Chemistry.
Joelyn Tan joined the Operations team at Bedok NEWater Factory (BNF) in 2018, bringing along her technical knowledge as well as experience with the latest industry innovations.
Melanie Tan was the Plant Manager for Bedok NEWater Factory from 2010 – 2013 and will be facilitating the session. She currently serves as the Northern California Reuse Practice Leader for Kennedy Jenks.
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
This webcast will summarize the California Environmental Flows Framework and its application in the Los Angeles River. Across the country, state and local agencies are promoting water reuse and recycling to conserve water resources. Reuse and recycling of treated wastewater can result in a reduction of instream flow and can impact existing and future instream beneficial uses, setting up potential conflicts between policies aimed at promoting reuse, protecting water quality, and managing ecological resources. Agencies in California have come together to develop a statewide environmental flows framework that can be used to establish seasonal flow criteria. This framework is currently being applied in the Los Angeles River watershed to better evaluate the cumulative impacts of potential flow reductions associated with several water reuse and water capture projects. The project will provide a science-based approach for assessing flow necessary to sustain beneficial uses. The project outcomes will be used to help establish technically sound flow recommendations and evaluate the consequences of alternative flow scenarios for the LA River. This project may also serve as a model for assessing similar situations in other river systems across the state.
Presenter
Dr. Eric Stein is a head of the Biology Department at the Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP). Dr. Stein oversees a variety of projects related to in-stream and coastal water quality, bioassessment, hydromodification, watershed modeling, and assessment of wetlands and other aquatic resources. His research focuses on effects of human activities on the condition of aquatic ecosystems, and on developing tools to better assess and manage those effects.
WOW! Wonders of Water Brownie Journey Jumpstart
Our event is a series of activities and presentations for Brownie Girl Scouts to earn a badge called Wow! Wonders of Water Journey – LOVE Water. Girl Scouts can sign up through the council events page. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Erica Marti (erica.marti@unlv.edu).
Overview of activities:
- learning about the water cycle through active movement and visual demonstration
- learning about water pollution, especially how our community is affected by stormwater runoff
- learning about the unique water system in the Las Vegas Valley
Our event is now posted on the Girl Scout events page. Please share with anyone who has a Girl Scout (2nd, 3rd grades).
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.