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

May
30
Tue
Chapter Meeting @ Inland Empire Utilities Agency 
May 30 @ 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Inland Empire WateReuse Chapter Meeting will hold an in-person meeting and tour at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency’s large-scale Regional Water Recycling Plant No. 5 Expansion Project and Water Quality Laboratory. Please bring you PPE. Tuesday, May 30th, 2023 // 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Jun
5
Mon
Stakeholder Meeting
Jun 5 all-day

Stakeholder meeting for pending changes to TCEQ Chapter 217 relating to reclaimed wastewater collection systems. View the advocacy updates article for more details, or visit the Wastewater System Design Criteria Stakeholder Group for the proposed changes and future meeting announcements.

Jun
9
Fri
Meeting of the Board of Directors – Second Quarter 2023
Jun 9 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, June 9, 2023

11:00 am to 2:00 pm ET (Remote)

Jun
13
Tue
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Jun 13 all-day
Jun
15
Thu
Orange County Chapter Meeting @ South Coast Water District
Jun 15 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Jun
16
Fri
IN PERSON/HYBRID Sacramento Meeting
Jun 16 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
Jun
20
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Jun 20 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Jul
18
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Jul 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Jul
23
Sun
Arizona Water Reuse 2023 Symposium
Jul 23 – Jul 25 all-day
Jul
26
Wed
Potable Reuse Committee Meeting @ Virtual
Jul 26 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

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WateReuse is the only trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. Our niche strategy sets us apart from other organizations in the water industry.

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