Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – November 25, 2019

November 25, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving!

In this time of Thanksgiving, the WateReuse Association expresses our appreciation for you—our members. We would not be able to do our work without your support.  We hope that you enjoy a feast and the company of your family and friends this week. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Washington Update

Fall Regulatory Agenda Hits on Water Recycling

Save the Date: Join Us for Water Week 2020 to Advance Water Recycling

Make plans to join the WateReuse Association in Washington, DC on April 26–May 2 forWater Week 2020. Water Week is the only national policy event of the year that draws together water professionals from across the country to advocate for the unique needs of recycled water, drinking water, and clean water utilities. It is not only an opportunity to advance policy priorities for the water utilities, including greater federal investment in water infrastructure, but also to celebrate the role these utilities play in communities nationwide. Last year, over 30 partnering and supporting organizations participated. WateReuse encourages our members to participate so that we can ensure that recycled water is an integral part of the Water Week message.  

Congress Extends Federal Funding for Water Reuse, Other Programs Through December 20

Last week, Congress passed and the President signed a bill to extend federal government funding, including funding for water recycling programs, through December 20, 2019. The government had been operating under a previous extension, also called a continuing resolution (CR), which expired on November 21, the day the follow-up extension was passed. Under a CR, funding for key water recycling programs is extended at last year’s levels. Congress will now have until the December 20 deadline to finalize new funding levels for the remainder of FY 2020. See our previous reports for a full accounting of the levels included in the House and Senate appropriations bills, which Congress is using as the basis for final funding negotiations.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:

Arizona: EPA Recognizes Marana Water for Innovative Water Reuse Project

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized WateReuse Association member Marana Water last week for excellence and innovation for a water reuse project that will reduce wastewater overflow during wet weather events. The project, which received funding from the EPA’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), will convey wastewater from the Adonis neighborhood to the existing Town of Marana municipal system for treatment and reuse. The Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program offers national recognition to exceptional projects funded through the CWSRF. Read More.

California: Soquel Creek Awarded $50 million Grant, $36 million Loan for Water Purification

WateReuse Association member the Soquel Creek Water District was awarded a $50 million state grant last week for its Pure Water Soquel Groundwater Replenishment and Seawater Intrusion Prevention Project. Pure Water Soquel will take treated, recycled municipal wastewater and use advanced water treatment methods to produce 1,500 acre-feet of purified water annually. This purified water will be used to prevent seawater intrusion and to recharge the over-drafted groundwater basin. The state water board also approved a $36 million low interest loan for the project. Since July, the state water board has approved 13 grants totaling $367 million for groundwater protection. Read More. 

California: SFPUC Marks One Year of Potable Reuse Research

WateReuse Association member the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) last week marked one year of testing a new water recycling program that would treat wastewater collected in its headquarters building to potable standards. SFPUC has been capturing, treating and reusing wastewater to flush the toilets at its headquarters since 2012. For its potable water research, the agency takes roughly 4,000 gallons from that supply and subjects it to a three-step purification process. The agency expects to continue testing the purification system over the next few years. Read More.

Florida: Potable Reuse Legislation Introduced in Florida House

Legislation that follows the recommendations of the Florida Potable Reuse Commission (PRC) was filed in the Florida House of Representatives on November 20 by Rep. Randy Maggard. HB715 creates a statute to allow potable reuse for public water supply and compels the Department of Environmental Protection, with technical working groups, to adopt regulations for potable reuse. The Florida PRC, which is a consensus driven stakeholder group, has developed a soon-to-be-released framework for the implementation of potable reuse in Florida.

Members Lead Growth in Water Reuse

Several WateReuse Association member projects were profiled in a recent Civil Engineering article on how water reuse is ramping up across the United States. While water reuse has long been a staple in arid regions, the practice is beginning to take hold even in areas with more abundant water resources. Read More.

WateReuse Customer Communications Tools and Resources

Need to Illustrate the Value of Water Reuse Investment? Use Our Flyer and Infographic

Utilities must make a compelling case to ratepayers, policymakers, and other stakeholders that investment in water recycling is the right decision. Use our flyer and infographic to illustrate that Investment in water reuse builds communities that are modern, sustainable and stable—ready for families to flourish and businesses to grow. The infographic highlights examples of recycled water from coast to coast and documents the value they bring.

Conferences and Events

Webcast: Balancing Water Reuse and Stream Quality in the Highly Urbanized Los Angeles River Watershed: Application of Statewide Framework

Water reuse 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. Join us on December 5 at 2 pm EST to learn about the California Environmental Flows Framework, developed to address this issue, and its application in the Los Angeles River.  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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