Washington Update
Mark Your Calendar for Capitol Hill Visits during Water Week 2020
Continuing Resolution to Maintain Funding for Water Recycling Programs as FY 2020 Negotiations Continue
House and Senate leaders have agreed to pass a second continuing resolution (CR) to keep the Government running until December 20. Congress uses CR’s to extend current federal funding levels when it is unable to reach an agreement on new funding levels for the upcoming fiscal year. The current CR expires on November 21. The House of Representatives will vote on the bill this week, and the Senate is expected to do so shortly thereafter, assuming the bill passes in the House. Under a second CR, Congress would have another month to negotiate funding levels for defense and non-defense spending for the remainder of FY 2020, which began on October 1. For a full breakdown of where funding stands for key water reuse programs, see our previous reports.
WateReuse Continues Work on National Water Reuse Action Plan
On September 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft of its National Water Reuse Action Plan, and began to solicit feedback through a public comment period, which closes on December 16. WateReuse recently held a meeting with our water sector association partners to discuss the Action Plan, its implementation, and opportunities for collaboration moving forward. We continue to work with WateReuse members and our Policy Committee to develop comments ahead of the December 16 deadline. Members may also submit individual comments through the public docket (docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0174).
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: Palo Alto and Valley Water Partner on Recycled Water
WateReuse Association members the City of Palo Alto and Valley Water are moving forward with a regional recycled water deal in which Palo Alto will desalt its wastewater and ship it to Valley Water for reuse throughout Santa Clara County. While Palo Alto currently receives water supplies from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the deal will give Palo Alto a backup source of both potable and non-potable water from Valley Water. The terms of the agreement, which is supported by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is set for a city council vote on November 18. Read More.
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.
Florida: Manatee County Tests Treatment to Improve Reclaimed Water Quality
WateReuse Association members Manatee County Utilities and the Southwest Florida Water Management District are pilot testing a treatment technology aimed at reducing nutrients in reclaimed water. The pilot program will treat 1 million to 1.5 million gallons of the 8 million gallons of reclaimed water a day delivered from Manatee County. The pilot will test biochar filtration to meet Florida’s advanced wastewater treatment standards. Read more.
WateReuse Customer Communications Tools and Resources
How Can You Offer Recognition to Your Recycled Water Customers? Participate in the Recycled Water User Network
Are you interested in recognizing recycled water customers as community water stewards or offering an incentive for new customers to come onboard? Participate in the Recycled Water User Network, a members-only network for businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations that use recycled water, including customers of water utilities and organizations that recycle water onsite. The network gives businesses, governments and nonprofits that use recycled water the opportunity to receive a green designation, Water StarTM, and access to information and resources on recycled water. Learn More.
Conferences and Events
Green Building Professionals Learn about Onsite Water Reuse
Incoming WateReuse Association Board of Directors member Paula Kehoe of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission discussed onsite water reuse at GreenBuilder 2019, a conference hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council. The session focused on the drivers, practicable understanding, and resources for design and monitoring of onsite non-potable water systems and how these projects relate to LEED water efficiency credits. The session also highlighted the work of the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems, which includes a guidance manual and training materials. 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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