Washington Update
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Case with Implications for Water Recycling
EPA and Bureau of Reclamation Sign MOU for Funding Water Reuse Projects
WateReuse Members Receive Reclamation Funding for Pilot Programs
The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded nearly $1 million for projects under a pilot-scale water treatment technologies and desalination program. The selected projects will receive funding through cooperative agreements and will include a period of pilot testing at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and other sites across the country. WateReuse Association members Garver and the University of Arizona are among the funding recipients. Reclamation received 29 applications and funded seven pilot studies.
EPA Celebrates WIFIA Project with Groundbreaking at Orange County Water District
Reclamation Announces Funding Availability to Develop, Update Drought Plans
The Bureau of Reclamation announced November 8 that it is making grant funding available under the WaterSMART Drought Response Program to develop and update drought contingency plans that will build long-term resiliency to drought, including plans that incorporate water recycling. This funding opportunity will provide up to $200,000 per agreement to develop new drought plans or update existing plans in the 17 Western United States and Hawaii. In general, recipients must match the funding with at least 50% funding from a non-federal source. Applications for fiscal year 2020 funding are due Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. MST. Learn more at www.grants.gov by searching for funding opportunity number BOR-DO-20-F003.
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: Water Board Holds Hearing on DPR Regulatory Framework
California regulators took another critical step toward the development of statewide regulations for raw water augmentation and treated drinking water augmentation—together known as direct potable reuse (DPR). Last Tuesday, the State Water Resources Control Board held an informational hearing on the Second Edition Proposed Framework for Regulating Direct Potable Reuse in California. The framework calls for a single regulatory package to develop regulations for both types of DPR and proposes completion of the regulations in 2023. The framework is a starting point for the regulatory process. The development of regulation will also be informed by ongoing DPR research and advice from an Expert DPR Panel. Jennifer West, Managing Director of WateReuse California, testified in support of the second edition framework.
California: WateReuse California Seeks Nominations for Awards of Excellence
WateReuse California is accepting nominations for the Annual Awards of Excellence, which will be presented during a ceremony at the 2020 California Annual Conference in San Francisco, March 15-17, 2020. The awards recognize agencies, customers, and individuals that have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing water recycling in California. Award nominations are due January 10, 2020. Learn More.
California: Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to Study Stormwater Recharge Potential
WateReuse Association member the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is expanding its effort to learn more about the water supply potential of local stormwater capture and reuse with a new $7.5 million pilot program approved November 5 by its board of directors. The program will gather data on the amount of water produced by projects that capture local rainfall and stormwater runoff and use it to recharge groundwater basins in the region. Applications for project funding will open on March 1, 2020. Read More.
California: Joint Powers Authority Formed for East County Advanced Water Purification Program
On November 5, representatives from Padre Dam Municipal Water District, City of El Cajon and County of San Diego held the formation meeting of the East County Advanced Water Purification Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to serve as the governing body for the East County Advanced Water Purification project. Once complete, the $528 million program will generate up to 11.5 million gallons per day of new drinking water – approximately 30% of current drinking water demands for residents in East San Diego County. Read More.
Water Recycling an Integral Part of Chevron’s Permian Operations
Companies like Chevron are increasingly reusing water produced in oil and gas production to cut down on the impact to freshwater supplies – especially in the arid Permian Basin of southeast New Mexico and West Texas. One barrel of oil produces seven to eight barrels of wastewater. The water is typically treated and reused onsite for hydraulic fracturing. Researchers are studying opportunities and challenges associated with reusing this water for agriculture and other uses. Read more.
WateReuse Customer Communications Tools and Resources
Profiles in Reuse: Flyer Explains Safety and Reliability of Potable Reuse
The WateReuse Association released a new flyer, Profiles in Reuse: Potable Reuse, which members can use to inform ratepayers, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the safety and reliability of using purified water as part of the drinking water supply. The flyer also supports WateReuse’sMedical Community Initiative,which seeks to build support for potable reuse among medical and public health officials. This flyer is the first in a series of Profiles in Reuse that will serve as resources for member communication on water recycling. Download Flyer.
Conferences and Events
Arcadis Shares Experience from the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium
Last week, WateReuse Association member Arcadis shared key takeaways from the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium that the water sector can leverage to advance the One Water movement. The post includes discussions of reuse as a critical component of smart cities, opportunities associated with the EPA’s National Water Reuse Action Plan, the importance of education and outreach, and funding opportunities for water recycling infrastructure. Other takeaways focused on alternative delivery of reuse and growth in direct potable reuse and in non-reverse osmosis treatment. Read More.
Closing the Water Loop with NEWater: The Story of Recycled Water in Singapore
Singapore, a small densely populated island nation, has made international headlines with its innovative NEWater, a high quality purified water produced using advanced membranes and ultraviolet technologies. Please join us for a webcast on November 20 at 4:30 pm PST for an in depth presentation on Singapore’s NEWater. Two engineers will join us live from Singapore to discuss R&D efforts and strategies implemented to overcome various operational challenges. Register Now.
Upcoming Events
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).
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: WateReue & AWE Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs:Â 1
Can onsite water reuse systems be successfully integrated with a community’s centralized treatment system? New legislation is being adopted around the country to remove barriers to onsite water reuse and communities like San Francisco are leading the way in demonstrating how onsite non-potable water systems can supplement centralized treatment and extend water supplies. This presentation will discuss important lessons learned in San Francisco, which has been requiring onsite water reuse in new large developments for seven years. You will also learn how model legislation developed by the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems is being adopted across the country to encourage the use of alternative water supplies. The presentation will also provide a preview of the National Blue Ribbon Commission’s new training manual for onsite reuse, which will be released in early 2020, and discuss future research priorities aimed at advancing more widespread adoption of onsite non-potable water systems.
Moderator:
Mary Ann Dickinson
President and CEO
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Presenter:
Paula Kehoe
Director of Water Resources
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
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Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs:Â 1
Congress enters 2020 with the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in its sights. Hearings and discussions have begun in earnest within the committees of jurisdiction in both the House and Senate. A number of important bills that were introduced or debated in 2019 may see further consideration in 2020 in the context of development of the next WRDA. At the same time, the Trump Administration will release its FY 2021 budget request as early as February, prompting Congress to launch the FY 2021 appropriations cycle.
Please join us January 8 at 2 p.m. ET for a webcast with Washington insiders to examine what’s on the congressional agenda for 2020 and how you can position your utility or company to have a voice at the table. Top Washington water sector lobbyists will discuss the status of key legislation and explain the opportunities to advance a water reuse policy agenda. Whether you plan to travel to Washington for Water Week in the Spring or are just interested in what to expect from Congress in 2020, this webcast will be a national advocacy primer for water professionals.
Presenters
Moderator:
Greg Fogel, Policy Director, WateReuse Association
Mia O’Connell, President, O’Connell & Dempsey, LLC
Mia’s focus for three decades has been in the water resource and environment arenas. Mia has focused her efforts for her public agency and water clients on Corps of Engineers, EPA and Department of Interior projects. Mia works with the Corps in the flood protection, ecosystem restoration, navigation and water supply areas.
Geoff Bowman, Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates
Having spent large parts of two decades as a staff member on the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Geoff Bowman offers clients an insider’s perspective on the policy, players, and politics involved in those issues.
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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.
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