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October 28, 2019

Water Recycling Highlighted during ‘Imagine a Day without Water’

On Wednesday, October 23, the WateReuse Association and several member organizations participated in “Imagine a Day without Water,” which promotes the value of water. Examples of member participation included an article in the Chicago Sun Times encouraging businesses to recycle water authored by a commissioner from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago and a community meeting convened in Palo Alto, California to discuss regional opportunities for water reuse, among many other activities across the country. In addition, WateReuse Executive Patricia Sinicropi released a blog post discussing the essential value of clean and safe water and the benefits of water recycling.

Washington Update

Congress Negotiates Funding Levels for Water Recycling Programs

New Legislation Will Support Reuse to Build Resilience

WateReuse Adopts Policy Statement on PFAS

Congress is currently contemplating new laws that would direct federal agencies to regulate Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in a variety of ways. In response, the WateReuse Association adopted a set of principles to guide our engagement on the issue. The most likely legislative vehicle for new PFAS legislation is the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY 2020, which the House and Senate are currently negotiating. Both the House version and the Senate version of NDAA contain provisions related to the control of PFAS in water, land, and manufactured products.

EPA Invites Eight Water Recycling Projects to Apply for Low Interest WIFIA Loans

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that it is inviting eight water reuse projects sponsored by WateReuse Association members to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. EPA received 51 letters of interest from both public and private entities in response to the 2019 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability. In all, 38 projects in 18 states were invited to apply for WIFIA loans totaling approximately $6 billion to help finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure investments.

EPA Announces Workforce Initiative to Combat Staffing Shortages in Water Treatment

EPA recently announced the Water Workforce Initiative to help cities and communities across the country that are facing critical staffing shortages for the operation and maintenance of essential drinking water, wastewater, and recycled water infrastructure. The goal of this new initiative is to provide federal leadership, collaborate with partners and increase public awareness to bolster interest in water sector careers—a field that is charged with ensuring that all Americans have access to clean and safe water. The Water Workforce Initiative builds on recent efforts to promote water careers. Following further engagement with its partners, the agency intends to release a draft Water Workforce Initiative for public comment this winter.

State Updates and Member Profiles

Arizona: Scottsdale Uses DPR Water to Educate Community

Brian Biesemeyer, Executive Director of Scottsdale Water, was interviewed last week on KJZZ public radio about Scottsdale Water’s recent achievement of becoming the first Arizona utility permitted for direct potable reuse. Scottsdale is using its DPR permit to create educational opportunities for the community. The facility has given its water to 10 breweries to make beers that will be served at the One Water Brewing Showcase during Scottsdale’s Canal Convergence in November. Read More.

Nevada: WateReuse Nevada Partners with Girl Scouts on Water Reuse Education

WateReuse Nevada is hosting an outreach event for Brownie Girl Scouts on December 7 in Las Vegas that involves a series of activities and presentations to earn a badge called Wow! Wonders of Water Journey – LOVE Water. The activities will include learning opportunities on the water cycle, water pollution, and water recycling. The event is open to second and third graders. Read More.

New Mexico: State Agencies Discuss Water Reuse Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry

New Mexico state agencies held the first of five meetings last week to discuss opportunities to recycle water produced from hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry. The Produced Water Act was signed into state law this year, which requires the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to develop regulations and permit any produced water use outside the energy industry, such as crop irrigation or municipal drinking water supply. NMED and New Mexico State University recently announced a partnership to research produced water reuse. Read More.

WateReuse Members Recognized Across the Water Sector for Innovations in Water Reuse

Several WateReuse Association members were recognized last week by water industry organizations for their innovative water recycling programs. The Orange County Water District (California) received the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies’ 2019 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance for its Groundwater Replenishment System. Pasco County Utilities (Florida) received the Engineering News Record Southeast Award of Merit/Water Environment for the Central Pasco County Beneficial Water Reuse project.  SUEZ received the Best Performing Company in Water Reuse award at the 2019 IDA World Congress in Dubai.

WateReuse Customer Communications Tools and Resources

Profiles in Reuse: Flyer Explains Safety and Reliability of Potable Reuse

The WateReuse Association released a new flyer, Profiles in Reuse: Potable Reuse, which members can use to inform ratepayers, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the safety and reliability of using purified water as part of the drinking water supply. The flyer also supports WateReuse’s Medical Community Initiative, which seeks to build support for potable reuse among medical and public health officials. This flyer is the first in a series of Profiles in Reuse that will serve as resources for member communication on water recycling. Download Flyer.

Conferences and Events

Upcoming Events

Mar
19
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Mar 19 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Mar
21
Thu
Central Coast Chapter Meeting
Mar 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

This will be a virtual-only meeting hosted on Teams.  Steve Wait will lead our main presentation which will focus on messaging to support water reuse projects and initiatives during times of above-average precipitation. There may be opportunities to compile resources and create a tool kit that could be utilized by staff to foster better support and messaging to governing bodies and the public.

Mar
22
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
Mar 22 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

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)

Mar
26
Tue
Inland Empire Chapter Meeting
Mar 26 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

We hope you can join us for this in-person meeting and tour. Join us for a variety of presentations, a tasty lunch, networking opportunities, and an intriguing tour of the Eurofins Laboratory in Pomona. It’s a perfect blend of insights, connections, and exploration—all in one event!


Please join us for the next Inland Empire WateReuse Chapter Meeting

Tuesday, March 26, 2024 // 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location:   Eurofins Drinking Water Testing

941 Corporate Center Dr.

Pomona, CA 91768

Agenda to Follow

Apr
9
Tue
Water Policy Fly-In 2024 @ Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf
Apr 9 all-day
WRCA Los Angeles Chapter Meeting
Apr 9 all-day
Apr
10
Wed
Onsite Water Reuse Summit
Apr 10 – Apr 11 all-day

The National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems (NBRC) is partnering with WateReuse and the U.S. EPA, to host an Onsite Water Reuse Summit in Washington D.C. on April 10 and 11.

The Summit is a free, in-person event taking place over a day and a half. A fantastic line-up of presentations and panel discussions are planned and we hope you can join us!

To view the agenda and additional information, please visit the Eventbrite page. Please only register for the event if you are attending in-person: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/onsite-water-reuse-summit-integration-of-science-policy-and-operation-tickets-815887761257?aff=oddtdtcreator

Once you register, you will receive an email with info on the hotel options.

Reuse Happy Hour at Texas Water
Apr 10 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Apr
12
Fri
WateReuse California Legislative-Regulatory Committee Meeting
Apr 12 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

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)

Apr
16
Tue
Pacific Northwest Section Meeting
Apr 16 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

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