Charting our Future: One Week Left to Take Advantage of the New Super Saver Registration Rate
Make your plans early to attend the 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium and save big! The Symposium is March 6-9, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas and on the WateReuse virtual conference platform. Join more than 800 water professionals from around the world for knowledge-sharing, networking, and intriguing discussions on the latest trends in water reuse. The new Super Saver Registration Rate is open through October 31, exclusively for WateReuse members. If you normally take advantage of early-bird registration discounts, this year you can register earlier and save even more. Register now and save up to $200!
Call for Presentation Proposals: Submit a Proposal by November 1 to Position Yourself as a Water Reuse Thought Leader
WateReuse invites water reuse experts, practitioners, researchers, and young professionals to submit proposals for a place on the podium during the 37th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Antonio. WateReuse is looking for fresh presentations emphasizing the future of water reuse globally. View the Call for Presentations and submit proposals online by November 1, 2021.
Washington Update
U.S. EPA Releases Strategic Roadmap for Mitigating Environmental and Public Health Impacts of PFAS
Vice President Kamala Harris Highlights Water Reuse
During a visit to Nevada last week, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to the importance of water recycling in building resilience to severe and persistent drought. While visiting Lake Mead, Vice President Harris highlighted the investments that the Infrastructure and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better agenda make in water recycling, reuse, and desalination. VP Harris met with WateReuse Association member Southern Nevada Water Authority and discussed these water recycling investments further.
Senate Appropriations Committee Supports Water Recycling at U.S. EPA
Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its versions of the FY 2022 Energy and Water Appropriations bill and the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill. These bills fund Bureau of Reclamation programs and U.S. EPA programs, respectively, including programs that support water recycling.
While the FY 2021 fiscal year ended on September 30, Congress has yet to finalize appropriations legislation for FY 2022. Instead, it passed a short-term continuing resolution (CR) to extend FY 2021 funding levels to December 3, giving itself more time to negotiate a final discretionary funding package.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed a package of FY 2022 appropriations bills that included its versions of both the Energy and Water Appropriations bill and the Interior-Environment Appropriations bill. Although the Senate Appropriations Committee has released FY 2022 appropriations bills, the full Senate has not yet passed any of them.
Importantly, for the first time, the Senate Appropriations Committee included language in its Interior-Environment Appropriation report expressing support for the National Water Reuse Action Plan and the work that EPA is leading on water reuse. The WateReuse Association worked closely with the Appropriations Committee to craft this language and secure its inclusion. The report states:
“The Committee appreciates EPA’s work to advance water recycling through the National Water Reuse Action Plan [WRAP], a collaborative effort involving Federal and State agencies as well as more than one hundred non-governmental stakeholders. Water reuse can help protect and enhance the environment while building resilience to drought, flooding, sea level rise and other impacts of climate change. Water recycling is also an important component of protecting water quality and modernizing and revitalizing our nation’s infrastructure. The Committee encourages EPA to support the adoption of water recycling in the United States, including by building the capacity of the Agency’s water reuse team and by advancing the WRAP.”
In the chart below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the funding levels contained in the House and Senate bills:
| FY19 Enacted | FY19 Supplemental Disaster Funding | FY20 Enacted | FY21 Enacted | FY22 House minibus | FY22 Senate mark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWSRF | $1,694,000,000 | $53,300,000 | $1,638,826,000 | $1,638,826,000 | $1,870,680,000^ | $1,688,826,000 |
| DRSRF | $1,164,000,000 | $296,100,000 | $1,126,088,000 | $1,126,088,000 | $1,357,934,000^^ | $1,357,934,000^^ |
| EPA Water Infrastructure Earmarks | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | See footnotes | $438,978,000 |
| WIFIA | $68,000,000 | $0 | $60,000,000 | $65,000,000 | $80,108,000 | $80,108,000 |
| Sec. 2005 of AWIA – Drinking Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program | N/A | $0 | $3,000,000 | $4,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $9,000,000 |
| Sec. 2007 of AWIA – Innovative Water Technology Grant Program | N/A | $0 | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| Sewer overflow and stormwater reuse municipal grants | $0 | $0 | $28,000,000 | $40,000,000 | $60,000,000 | $56,000,000 |
| National Priorities Research Program | $5,000,000 | $0 | $6,000,000 | $7,500,000 | $8,500,000 | $8,500,000 |
| Title XVI Legacy | $38,617,000 | $0 | $43,616,000 | $43,617,000 | $55,117,000 | $12,000,000 |
| Title XVI-WINN | $20,000,000 | $0 | $20,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Desalination and Water Purification Program | $19,803,000 | $0 | $20,000,000 | $21,500,000 | $15,500,000 | $21,500,000 |
| Aquifer Storage and Recovery | N/A | $0 | $10,000,000 | $20,000,000* | $0 | $25,000,000* |
^^Of which $206,146,044 is for earmark projects
*Geographically limited to the Great Plains.
In the coming weeks, we expect the House and Senate to begin to work through remaining differences between their respective versions of the 12 appropriations bills. At some point before the December 3 expiration of the current CR, congressional leaders will either reach a final deal on a full FY 2023 appropriations package or will have to pass a second CR to extend current funding levels once more.
State Updates and Member Profiles
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Section Spotlight: 2020 Survey Shows Recycled Water Use in California on the Rise
In 2020, the amount of water recycled in California under the state’s Title 22 regulations grew 6 percent over the previous year to reach 728,000 acre-feet per year, according to new numbers released by the State Water Resources Control Board. Combined with recycled water used for environmental protection, which is not considered a Title 22 use, the state now exceeds 1 million acre-feet (MAF) of water recycling annually.
Last week, the Water Board released its annual volumetric survey results for 2020, which included Title 22 uses, wastewater discharge, and influent totals. Ninety-four percent of recycled water and wastewater agencies responded to the survey. WateReuse California (WRCA) testified that the potable reuse totals are expected to more than double in the next few years as major projects have begun construction and direct potable reuse regulations are in draft form. WRCA also asked that the Water Board include the “instream flow” and “natural systems” recycled water uses in its statewide totals as this will give the public a more complete understanding of the benefits of recycled water to California.
Title 22 regulations are for the purpose of protecting human health and do not include use categories for environmental protection.
CA: San Diego Water Recycling Featured in WIRED
Pure Water San Diego was showcased as an example of how cities are preparing for water stress and diversifying their local water supplies. This ambitious project aims to provide more than 40% of San Diego’s water supply by 2035 using advanced water purification. Read more.
CO: Stakeholder Engagement Continues for Direct Potable Reuse Rulemaking
CO: Stakeholder Engagement Continues for Direct Potable Reuse Rulemaking
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is prioritizing stakeholder engagement in its efforts to develop rules for direct potable reuse. CDPHE continues to convene stakeholder meetings to present workgroup deliverables and solicit input. Previous meeting materials are publicly available. The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 27 at 1:00 pm (1.5 hours). Register here.
FL: Comment Period Open for Draft Potable Reuse Regulations
Last week, the comment period opened for draft potable reuse regulations in Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is revising Chapter 62-610, F.A.C., necessary to adopt recommendations of the Potable Reuse Commission’s 2020 report, Advancing Potable Reuse in Florida: Framework for the Implementation of Potable Reuse in Florida as required by Florida’s Clean Waterways Act of 2020 and the new aquifer storage and recovery system requirements in Senate Bill 64 (2021). The proposed revisions add clarity to both substantive and administrative aspects of the chapter for indirect potable reuse and aquifer storage and recovery systems. Comments are due by November 12,2021.
FL: Water Reuse Increasingly Important for Florida Utilities
WateReuse Executive Director Pat Sinicropi and WateReuse Florida President Robert Beltran discussed the importance of the recently passed Florida Law (SB 64) and its impact on reuse in the state. The legislation requires utilities to eliminate nonbeneficial surface water discharge by 2032. Utilities are looking to pilot test various treatment options and increase public awareness of the benefits and safety of water reuse. One such effort is the One Water Florida initiative, supported by WateReuse Florida. Read more.
Industrial Spotlight: Largest Insulation Plant in the World Installs Recycled Water Technology
CertainTeed LLC, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, completed the installation of a water recycling system at its Kansas City insulation plant, which will reduce water consumption by 227 million gallons per year. Thanks to this seven-year effort, water that was previously discharged will now be recycled for cooling. Read more.
WateReuse Member Resources and Benefits
Interested in Becoming More Involved in WateReuse? Join a Committee!
Are you ready to become more involved with the WateReuse Association and share your water reuse expertise? Join one of our committees to drive industry thought leadership on water reuse related issues impacting your community or business, access best practices, and network with leaders focused on similar issues. All employees of WateReuse member organizations are eligible to participate. 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
Upcoming Events
Webcast: Hyperion Advanced Water Purification Proof of Concept Facility
WateReuse Arizona
October 28, 2021
10:30 am PT | 1:30 pm ET (1 hour)
This webcast will showcase the Hyperion Advanced Water Purification Facility as a proof-of-concept treatment process that will provide highly treated water for multiple non-potable uses at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant. This presentation will cover the major challenges, creative solutions and lessons learned from this unique project. 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. The webcast builds upon three actions under the recently issued national Water Reuse Action Plan (Action 2.6- NPDES Permitting and Reuse, Action 2.16, Interagency Collaboration Challenges and Opportunities, and Action 3.3, Advancing Stormwater Capture and Use). Register here.
Calendar
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)
Our next WateReuse Central Coast chapter meeting will be on Thursday, May 16th from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at the City of Camarillo North Pleasant Valley Groundwater Desalter. We will follow a hybrid in-person and online format with a presentation and chapter update from 12-1p followed by a site tour of the facility from 1-2p for the in-person folks. The facility transforms unusable brackish groundwater into a local source of high-quality and affordable drinking water while also removing damaging salts from the regional watershed. The treated groundwater can produce up to 3,800 acre-feet per year of potable water. The desalter was just named the Outstanding Water/Wastewater Treatment Project of the Year by ASCE Region 9.
Please RSVP here for in-person or online by May 10th if you plan to join the meeting. Lunch will be provided for those who attend in-person. Due to space constraints, in-person attendance will be limited to the first 20 people who RSVP.
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)