

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

36th Annual WateReuse Symposium: Redefining Resiliency
March 15-25, 2021 Join us for a series of live and on demand virtual roundtables! Learn MoreTopic: 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)
Meeting ID: 845 4676 9262
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcoCvl0Mg
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

The latest webinar in EPA’s “Creating the Water Workforce of the Future” series focuses on building an inclusive and supportive workplace that encourages employee growth to attract and retain the qualified candidates.
A career in the water sector offers meaningful and challenging work that makes a difference in local communities. By building an inclusive and supportive workplace that encourages employee growth, the sector can attract and retain the qualified candidates it needs.
Please join EPA on April 1, 2021 to hear from leaders in the water sector who are embracing the challenge of “Creating the Water
Workforce of the Future.”
Joone Lopez from Moulton-Niguel Water District will describe her organization’s journey to build a culture that allowed MNWD to
become recognized as one of the outstanding water utilities in the country.
Tim Friday and Eric Dunker from Castle Rock Water and Arapahoe Community College will then describe a utility/community college partnership that trains and places students into jobs in the water workforce.
Register here.
Add to Calendar
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.
Save the date! Registration will open soon.
Add to Calendar
Save the date! Registration will open soon.
Add to Calendar
Save the date! More information to come soon.
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.