
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
Topic: WRCO March Meeting
Time: Mar 11, 2021 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84546769262 Meeting ID: 845 4676 9262 Dial by your location- +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
- +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
- +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
- +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
- +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
- +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
- +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
First Quarter:
Remote – Zoom
Friday, March 12, 2021
11:00 am to 2pm EST // 10 to 1 CST // 9:00 to 12 MST // 8:00 to 11 PST
Zoom Meeting
When: Apr 13, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkd-6tqjsiH9ztJm_6CN-heC5W3IEcOK7V
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Second Quarter:
Remote – Zoom
Friday, June 4, 2021
11:00 am to 2pm EST // 10 to 1 CST // 9:00 to 12 MST // 8:00 to 11 PST
Zoom Meeting
When: Jun 8, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrcOurqT8rHNbep0DGS8jHvaxNGuGs2cbu
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Zoom Meeting
When: Aug 10, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrceCrrTkoHte5InJPp1ssED67OREJfdAm
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Third Quarter:
Los Angeles, J.W. Marriott L.A. LIVE
Friday, Sept 17, 2021
11:00 am to 2pm EST // 10 to 1 CST // 9:00 to 12 MST // 8:00 to 11 PST
Save the Date
WateReuse California will host its 2021 Annual Conference in the new September timeslot.
2021 WateReuse California Annual Conference
JW Marriott Live LA
September 19-21, 2021
Zoom Meeting
When: Oct 12, 2021 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAldOGtrj4vGdA1-zAqXG6sUz3jo_lrRTJP
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.