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November 18, 2019

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

Mar
19
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Mar 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Mar
21
Thu
Central Coast Chapter Meeting
Mar 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

This will be a virtual-only meeting hosted on Teams.  Steve Wait will lead our main presentation which will focus on messaging to support water reuse projects and initiatives during times of above-average precipitation. There may be opportunities to compile resources and create a tool kit that could be utilized by staff to foster better support and messaging to governing bodies and the public.

Mar
22
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
Mar 22 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Please find below the 2024 schedule for the Legislative-Regulatory Committee. All in-person meetings will be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Sacramento offices located at: 1121 L Street, Suite 900, Sacramento.]

 

Both in-person and virtual meetings will occur from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Those indicated as virtual will occur over Zoom and a link will be provided on the agenda.

 

The 2024 WRCA Annual Conference will be at the: Hyatt Regency Orange County.

 

Please save the date for our 2024 meeting dates:

 

1. January 19 – in person

2. March 8 – virtual

3. March 22 – in person

4. April 12 – virtual

5. May 10 – in person

6. May 31 – virtual

7. June 21 – virtual

8. August 9 – virtual

9. September 16 – in person (at annual conference)

Mar
26
Tue
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
Mar 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

We hope you can join us for this in-person meeting and tour. Join us for a variety of presentations, a tasty lunch, networking opportunities, and an intriguing tour of the Eurofins Laboratory in Pomona. It’s a perfect blend of insights, connections, and exploration—all in one event!


Please join us for the next Inland Empire WateReuse Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 // 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location:   Eurofins Drinking Water Testing

941 Corporate Center Dr.

Pomona, CA 91768

Agenda to Follow

Apr
9
Tue
Water Policy Fly-In 2024 @ Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
Apr 9 all-day
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Apr 9 all-day
Apr
10
Wed
Onsite Water Reuse Summit
Apr 10 – Apr 11 all-day

The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (NBRC) is partnering with WateReuse and the U.S. EPA, to host an Onsite Water Reuse Summit in Washington D.C. on April 10 and 11.

The Summit is a free, in-person event taking place over a day and a half. A fantastic line-up of presentations and panel discussions are planned and we hope you can join us!

To view the agenda and additional information, please visit the Eventbrite page. Please only register for the event if you are attending in-person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/onsite-water-reuse-summit-integration-of-science-policy-and-operation-tickets-815887761257?aff=oddtdtcreator

Once you register, you will receive an email with info on the hotel options.

Reuse Happy Hour at Texas Water
Apr 10 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Apr
12
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
Apr 12 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Please find below the 2024 schedule for the Legislative-Regulatory Committee. All in-person meetings will be held at the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s Sacramento offices located at: 1121 L Street, Suite 900, Sacramento.]

 

Both in-person and virtual meetings will occur from 12:30 to 2:00 pm. Those indicated as virtual will occur over Zoom and a link will be provided on the agenda.

 

The 2024 WRCA Annual Conference will be at the: Hyatt Regency Orange County.

 

Please save the date for our 2024 meeting dates:

 

1. January 19 – in person

2. March 8 – virtual

3. March 22 – in person

4. April 12 – virtual

5. May 10 – in person

6. May 31 – virtual

7. June 21 – virtual

8. August 9 – virtual

9. September 16 – in person (at annual conference)

Apr
16
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Apr 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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