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
Presenters
Jeff Lape, National Program Leader for Water Reuse, Office of Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gilbert Trejo (Moderator), President, WateReuse Association
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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Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs:Â 1
A group of chemicals known as PFAS – perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances – has garnered the public’s attention and posed treatment challenges for recycled water utilities. What is the latest science on effective treatment for PFAS? This webcast focuses on the fate of PFAS in recycled water destined for potable reuse, and will include results from different advanced treatment processes ranging from bench-scale evaluations to permanent potable reuse treatment demonstration projects. The data illustrate important considerations during treatment selection, design, and operation to meet PFAS treatment goals.
Presenter
Eva Steinle-Darling
Reuse Innovation Lead and Principal Technologist
Carollo Engineers
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Mark your calendars for May 19-20, 2020 for the WateReuse Pacific Northwest annual conference. This year’s conference will be held at King County’s Brightwater Center, an environmental education and event center located on the Brightwater Treatment Plant campus. An impressive conference program is being planned featuring innovative reuse projects, research, education and community outreach, new regulatory directions and an operator session tailored to reuse facility operations.
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Section Meeting & Webinar at Stantec
– featuring Brian Biesemeyer, Scottsdale Water “Arizona’s First Direct Potable Reuse System”