Submit a Nomination for the 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence by September 30
Is your utility or business demonstrating leadership in advancing water recycling? Or do you know of an organization, individual, or partnership that has implemented an innovative solution that will inspire others? If so, submit a nomination for the 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence to get the recognition you deserve. Nominations are due September 30, 2020.
The 2021 WateReuse Awards for Excellence will recognize accomplishments for 2019 and 2020. Winners will be recognized in conjunction with the 36th Annual WateReuse Symposium in March 2021. Submit a nomination now!

Washington Update
Feedback Requested: WateReuse Seeks Member Guidance on Implementation of National Water Reuse Action Plan
The WateReuse Association is seeking member guidance on implementation of the U.S. EPA’s national Water Reuse Action Plan, which was developed in partnership with WateReuse and other stakeholders. WateReuse is leading or co-leading a variety of actions, including developing a database to track and report state-level policies and regulations related to water reuse; establishing a water reuse award to recognize significant achievements in adopting and promoting water reuse in the industrial and corporate sectors; and helping to organize events related to stormwater reuse, inter-state collaboration, and workforce development.
To help guide implementation of a range of actions, we are asking for your feedback. Complete our survey here. Thank you for your participation.
State Updates and Member Profiles

Welcome New Member!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new member:
- Carpinteria Sanitary District (California)
Member Spotlight: Coastal Recycling and the Colorado River — The Nation’s Largest Reuse Project Could Benefit Three States
A wastewater purification facility not far from downtown Los Angeles may someday play a role in bringing the water uses in the Colorado River into balance, explains Deven Upadhyay, the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager at Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Metropolitan and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County have formed a partnership to develop what would be the largest water purification facility in the U.S. Recycling more water in the heart of Southern California could translate into more Colorado River water for communities in Nevada and Arizona. Read More.
Member Spotlight: Twelve Water Reuse Programs Honored in Utility of the Future Today Recognition Program
Arizona: Recycled Water Revives Biodiversity in Tucson Riverbed
Researchers at the University of Arizona concluded that the City of Tucson’s Santa Cruz Heritage Project has not only revitalized a once dry riverbed, but it has also led to the resurgence of biodiversity. Almost 70 years after the Santa Cruz River’s downtown reach ran dry, Tucson Water began releasing 2.8 million gallons of reclaimed water into the riverbed daily. The University of Arizona School of Natural Resources and the Environment published studies on both the return of biodiversity and the impact of better treated wastewater effluent on biodiversity. Read More.
California: Oceanside Receives $69 Million Federal WIFIA Loan for Water Recycling
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $69 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to WateReuse member, the City of Oceanside, to help finance the Pure Water Oceanside Project. This innovative water reuse project will purify recycled water to create a new source of high-quality drinking water that is clean, safe, drought-proof and sustainable while benefitting the environment by reducing discharges into the ocean. The program will produce enough water to provide more than 30% of the city’s water supply. Read More.
Florida: Cape Coral Approves $1.5 Million for Water Reuse Project
The City of Cape Coral is partnering with Fort Myers City to use recycled water to improve water quality and help keep canals filled. The Cape Coral City Council approved $1.5 million last week to support the $15 million Caloosahatchee Connect Project which will build a pipeline to bring reclaimed water from Fort Myers to Cape Coral. Construction is expected to begin next summer and be completed in January 2023. Read More.
Texas: El Paso’s Innovation in Water Reuse Makes Wave Across Water Sector
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded a $69 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to WateReuse member, the City of Oceanside, to help finance the Pure Water Oceanside Project. This innovative water reuse project will purify recycled water to create a new source of high-quality drinking water that is clean, safe, drought-proof and sustainable while benefitting the environment by reducing discharges into the ocean. The program will produce enough water to provide more than 30% of the city’s water supply. Read More.
Member Spotlight: Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Opens Pure Water Demonstration Facility
Earlier this month, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District celebrated the grand opening of their Pure Water Demonstration Facility. The Pure Water Demonstration Facility will serve to educate the public on the effectiveness and safety of advanced water treatment processes, provide training for employees in the operation of a membrane treatment plant, and test alternative treatment equipment to optimize treatment processes. Virtual tours of the facility will be available October, 2020, with in-person tours becoming available when once again possible. To learn more, click here.
Microsoft Commits to Water Reuse in its 2030 Water Sustainability Commitments
Microsoft’s water sustainability efforts for 2030 include onsite reuse of rainwater and wastewater in their Redmond, Washington headquarter building and Silicon Valley campus, and non-potable reuse of wastewater in India and Israel. Microsoft also plans to integrate water basin restoration projects and install water-saving technologies for cooling in their Arizona data center. Microsoft’s goal is to replenish more water than they use by 2030, acknowledging the high rates of globally freshwater depletion. Read More.
Global Update
Canada Invests in Research to Recycle Mining Wastewater
As part of the economic recovery plan for COVID-19, Canada is investing $4.5 million in the Quebec-based company, E2Metrix specializing in treatment of wastewater. The investment is intended to improve water efficiency and reduce impacts on freshwater with a “more effective, energy-efficient and affordable way to reuse and recycle wastewater from mining operations.” The project is funded by the Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth Program. Read More.
Egypt’s Water Reclamation Facility Earns Best International Project 2020
The Al-Mahsama plant in Ismailia, Egypt was awarded the best project internationally of 2020 by U.S. Engineering News-Record (ENR). The facility recycles agricultural wastewater to provide irrigation to 70,000 acres of land and maintain the natural environment of the El-Temsah lake. The plant has the treatment capacity of 1 million cubic meters of wastewater per day. Read More.
Member Resources and Benefits
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
Stream On Demand: 35th Annual WateReuse Virtual Symposium Available through October 24
The complete 35th Annual WateReuse Symposium is available to view On Demand through October 24 via the fully interactive Virtual Symposium Platform. More than 800 registrants joined for the live days, September 14-16, and continue to access over 100 hours of content. New attendees can still register and stream the sessions on demand.
Bureau of Reclamation Hosts Stakeholder Virtual Webinar Series
The Bureau of Reclamation will host a virtual interactive stakeholder workshop each Wednesday in October at 10 am PT/1 pm ET. The workshops will include updates from Reclamation’s leadership, a new presentation on Reclamation’s history, and interactive sessions on WaterSMART and other funding opportunities, asset management and the Transparency Act, title transfer, and updates on regulatory issues such as the Endangered Species Act and streamlined National Environmental Policy Act and cultural resource compliance. Please RSVP to stakeholderworkshop@usbr.gov to reserve your virtual seat for this workshop series.
Upcoming Events
More info TBD
After the membership meeting ends (around 6:15 pm), we will gather folks interested in reuse at Truck Yard Houston for a Reuse Happy Hour co-hosted with the WEAT Reuse Committee.
Truck Yard Houston is a 3-minute walk from the convention center at 2118 Lamar St. Houston, TX 77003.
If you have trouble finding us that evening, please call 832 619-9496.
For more information contact José Ramirez
Colorado’s Challenging Water Future: Where are we with Water Reuse?
Join us at the 2023 WateReuse Colorado Conference on May 2 2023! The conference will bring together water reuse professionals to share the latest research, innovation, and experiences to address the growing need for water recycling in Colorado and across the country. WRCO is pleased to conduct this event in collaboration with CU Boulder. Make plans to attend the conference for learning, networking, and engaging in discussions with the experts of reuse community, while enjoying the view of beautiful Boulder Flatirons!
Please contact Jennifer West for details