Home\News\WateReuse Review\WateReuse Review – November 8, 2021

November 8, 2022

Washington Update

Congress Passes Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Including Historic Investments in Water Recycling, New Guide Available

On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invests $1 billion over five years in water recycling programs for the Western United States. This is an historic investment in water recycling, which until now has received roughly $65 million per year through the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill also directs the Administration to establish a federal Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse, which will break down silos, leverage resources throughout the federal family, and facilitate stakeholder engagement on water recycling.

The WateReuse Association worked closely with congressional champions over many months to secure these provisions. We extend our particular thanks to Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Tom Carper (D-DE), John Barrasso (R-WY), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) along with Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), and Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) for their tireless efforts.

Within the $1 billion for Western water recycling is $550 million for the Title XVI Water Reuse Grants Program and $450 million for a new competitive grant program for large-scale water recycling projects. Both programs will be administered by the Bureau of Reclamation.

With enactment of this package, Congress also recognized that communities throughout the nation are making investments in water recycling by authorizing the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program, the first nationwide grant program to support investments in water recycling. This program is on target to receive funding through the Build Back Better Act

To help our members navigate the Act and the programs included therein, WateReuse created a new Guide to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for communities and water reuse practitioners. The guide includes detailed information about what is in the bill and how WateReuse members can access these new resources and tools.

The Build Back Better Act

As noted above, though the Infrastructure and Jobs Act invests in water recycling for western states, the Build Back Better Act (also known as the budget reconciliation package) invests $125 million in the only nationwide water recycling program, the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program. The program will expand access to water recycling tools and resources nationwide. Senators Carper, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) along with Representatives Grace Napolitano (D-CA) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) played key roles in securing funding for this program in the package.

Through the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide competitive grants to state, interstate, and intrastate water resource development agencies to engineer, design, construct, and test alternative water source systems, including water recycling systems. WateReuse worked closely with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and other congressional champions to secure this funding, and is urging that it be retained in the final reconciliation package as enacted.

Last night, the House voted on a rule to set up debate on the reconciliation package. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has set a goal of voting on the bill during the week of November 15.

WateReuse Association Submits Comments on Federal Resiliency Plans

In September, a wide range of Federal Government departments and agencies published climate change adaptation and resiliency plans and posted a 30-day solicitation for public comment. In response, WateReuse developed recommendations for how the Administration and each individual agency can support and utilize water recycling to build climate resiliency both within their own operations and facilities, and across the country. WateReuse will be reaching out to the Administration to further discuss these recommendations and urge their adoption. To read our full comments, click here.

EPA Hiring Economist to Work with Assistant Administrator

The Office of Water for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hiring a Supervisory Economist to direct the Water Economics Center. This position will work closely with Office of Water’s Assistant Administrator, Radhika Fox, on broad areas of environmental economics. Apply here.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!

The Newton County Water & Sewerage Authority serves over 23,000 water customers and more than 6,000 sewer customers in northern Georgia.

AZ: Recycled Water Replenishes Santa Cruz River

Tucson Water released recycled water into the Santa Cruz River as part of the Santa Cruz River Heritage Project. This release of water from the Tucson Airport Remediation Project supports native wetland restoration as well as aquifer replenishment. Read more.

CA: Web-Based Tool Available to Evaluate Recycled Water’s Impact on River System

The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project released the Los Angeles River Environmental Flows Dashboard for use in establishing and evaluating flow criteria. This tool enables managers to examine the impacts of expected increases in recycled water on the ecological and recreational benefits. Read more.

ID: Boise Votes to Approve Water Recycling Bond

The city of Boise voted to authorize the water renewal bond which will allow for stable rate increases to implement the Water Renewal Utility Plan. This plan includes the creation of a new recycled water program to promote the sustainable reuse of water. Read more.

WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits

Profiles in Reuse Flyers on Agricultural, Industrial, and Potable Reuse

Do you need plain-language handouts to explain water reuse to ratepayers, policymakers, elected officials, or other stakeholders? The WateReuse Profiles in Reuse series includes flyers on industrial reuseagricultural reuse, and potable reuse that introduce the concept of water reuse and explain some of the ways that water recycling contributes to a resilient water supply. The flyers are easy-to-understand communications tools that can easily be shared. Learn more.

Interactive Map on State Water Reuse Policies and Regulations

Do you need information about water reuse policies and regulations from across the United States? Visit the state policy map on our website to find summaries of the regulatory landscape in key states, as well as links to specific polices and regulations. Clicking on a particular state opens a pop-up window with detailed information about the state. WateReuse invites members to help us fill in gaps in knowledge using the comment box provided on the page. The map is updated periodically as new information is received and/or states update their regulations. View the state policy map here.

Water Reuse Conferences, Webcasts, and Events

Webcast: Advancing Reuse in Distributed Systems

Global Water Works
November 9, 2021
11 am PT | 2 pm ET

This webcast will look at how water reuse builds resilience in decentralized water systems. Internationally recognized speakers will discuss best practices and property-scale success stories. Register here.

Webcast: Agricultural Reuse in California: Moving to the Next Level

November 10, 2021
11 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)

Join WateReuse California’s Agriculture Reuse committee to discuss the benefits of agriculture reuse, programs and case-studies, regulations, and an outlook for the future. Register here.

Webcast: Keys to Success: Water Recycling in Small and Disadvantaged Communities

U.S. EPA
November 15, 2021
9am PT | 12 pm ET (1 hour)

This free training webinar is presented to support water managers in small, resource-limited communities. The training will focus on keys for successful development and implementation of water reuse projects and is a part of Water Reuse Action Plan Action 8.5: Engagement with Disadvantaged and Rural Communities on Water Reuse. Register here.

Webcast: Permitting Water Innovation: Improving Permitting Processes to Support New Water Management Technologies and Strategies

U.S. EPA
November 17, 2021
9 am PT | 12 pm ET (2 hours)

This free webinar will present findings and insights from recent research, water reuse actions, and specific case studies to explore how water permitting affects our ability to implement water recycling, energy recovery, nature-based solutions, and other innovative water management approaches. Register here.

Water Utility Resilience Forum

NACWA
December 13-15, 2021
Miami, FL

The Water Utility Resilience Forum will advance the thinking on how utilities can be resilient and sustainable now and for the next one hundred years. Featuring insights from water sector leaders and subject-matter experts, the Forum will be a rich dialogue on what utilities are doing today to be resilient and what a resilient future looks like. Register here.

Calendar

Dec
5
Tue
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting @ Santa Monica
Dec 5 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Santa Monica Institute Meeting Room

330 Olympic Drive

Santa Monica, CA 90401

  • Lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m. Thank you to our lunch sponsor, Woodard & Curran.
  • The formal meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Parking is available in the Civic Center Parking Structure above the meeting room.
  • A tour of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Project (SWIP) will follow the formal meeting, starting at 1:15 p.m. Please wear closed-toed shoes.
  • There will also be an option to participate in the meeting virtually. A Zoom meeting registration link will be sent out with the agenda about one week prior.
  • Whether you plan to attend in person or via Zoom, please RSVP by Friday, December 1st by filling out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/6B7UknVNmz. Please indicate if you plan on joining for lunch, the formal meeting, and/or the tour, so that we may get an accurate count. This meeting will have a capacity limit of 50 people.
Dec
7
Thu
San Diego Chapter Meeting @ San Diego County Water Authority in Kearny Mesa
Dec 7 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Save the date for our December chapter meeting!

Please save the date for our last chapter meeting of the year on Thursday, December 7 at 3 p.m. This meeting will be held in person at the San Diego County Water Authority in Kearny Mesa, followed by a happy hour at Khan’s Cave

The meeting will include a presentation from Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District on their recycled water project, 2024 officer elections, regulatory updates, and more! We look forward to seeing you all there.

 

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Dec
8
Fri
Meeting of the Board of Directors – Fourth Quarter 2023
Dec 8 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Friday, December 8, 2023

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

Dec
12
Tue
Orange County Chapter Meeting @ Virtual
Dec 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Dec
13
Wed
WateReuse Florida December Board Meeting
Dec 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Dec
14
Thu
WateReuse Webcast: Carbon Based Advanced Treatment for Water Reuse. Sponsored by Hazen & Sawyer
Dec 14 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
WateReuse Webcast: Carbon Based Advanced Treatment for Water Reuse. Sponsored by Hazen & Sawyer

11 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

With water supply limitations driven by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and climate change, along with more stringent regulatory requirements for wastewater discharges, direct or indirect potable reuse is becoming increasingly essential to address water resiliency issues. Carbon Based Advanced Treatment (CBAT) has increasingly been adopted as a treatment solution to treat municipal effluent to provide a safe, reliable augmentation of drinking water supplies.

CBAT involves the use of biologically activated carbon (BAC) usually with ozone, followed by granular activated carbon (GAC) to achieve advanced treatment of water. It may also include flocculation/sedimentation and UV disinfection. Join a panel of experts to explore the various combinations of this process, and get updates on key case studies using CBAT for potable reuse.

Moderator:

TBD

Speakers:

  • Andrew Newbold, Principal Engineer, Hazen & Sawyer
  • Gaya Ram Mohan, PhD, PE, Environmental Engineer, Hazen & Sayer
  • Erik Rosenfeldt, PhD, PE, National Drinking Water Practice Leader, Hazen & Sawyer
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
Dec 14 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

We will hold an inperson meeting at Western Municipal Water District.

 

Please RSVP HERE for this meeting by Thursday, December 7th

Dec
15
Fri
Arizona Water Reuse 2024 Symposium – Call for Abstracts Deadline
Dec 15 all-day
Dec
19
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Dec 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Dec
20
Wed
WateReuse Pacific Northwest: Localizing Communications Strategy
Dec 20 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
WateReuse Pacific Northwest: Localizing Communications Strategy

10:00 am PT | 1 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1

Register Now!

Across the country, more and more communities are exploring reuse as part of a larger water management strategy. But even the best public projects live and die by community acceptance, and history has shown this is doubly true for water reuse projects. Community engagement is a vital element to designing and launching plans that will create lasting impact. Community engagement is not, however, a one-size-fits-all endeavor. What motivates communities in Seattle will not be the same as Boise, or rural Oregon. In this webinar, we will discuss the importance of localizing a communications and engagement strategy to reflect the values, culture and drivers of each specific community. We will look at two Pacific Northwest case studies from Boise and the WateReuse Oregon Subcommittee that demonstrate effective, local engagement approaches.

 

Moderator:

Holly Tichenor, Management Consulting National Practice Leader, Brown and Caldwell, WateReuse PNW Board President

Presenters:

  • Natalie Monro, Communications Coordinator, City of Bellingham, WateReuse PNW Board VP
  • Haley Falconer, Environmental Division Senior Manager, City of Boise
  • Jared Kinnear, Reuse Program Manager, Clean Water Services

 

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