
Washington Update

Senate Committee Advances Funding for Water Recycling
Department of Energy Selects National Alliance for Water Innovation to Lead Energy-Water Desalination Hub
Congressional Briefing Presents the Science of PFAS
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) organized an expert panel for a September 26 Congressional briefing on the science of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). New research results are improving understanding of how best to address potential risks posed from exposure to this diverse class of compounds. WRF brought together the foremost experts in the science of PFAS to share recent scientific discoveries with members to allow the nation to more effectively protect human health and the environment. Speakers included Peter Grevatt, CEO of The Water Research Foundation; Carla A. Ng, Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh; and Charles B. Bott, Director of Water Technology and Research at Hampton Roads Sanitation District. A recording of the event is available for viewing.
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: WateReuse CA Presents WateReuse Action Plan to State Board
WateReuse California Vice President Paul Sciuto, General Manager of Monterey One Water, presented the California WateReuse Action Plan at the September 23 Drought Preparation and Response Listening Session held by the California State Water Board. The action plan is a comprehensive set of proposed actions that will more than double the use of water recycling in California and help prepare the state for the impacts of climate change. The plan identifies four strategic areas for action: research, regulations, regional planning and funding and includes 20 specific recommendations. Sciuto discussed the importance of continuing to advance regulations that lead to responsible use of recycled water and the need for increased funding.
Florida: Officials look to Water Reuse to Meet Needs of Expanding Population
Faced with skyrocketing population, Florida officials from the state, water management districts, and local utilities are promoting water reuse to ease pressure on water supplies. Florida’s population is increasing by more than 900 people daily. Water management districts have identified reclaimed water projects as the number one source of water to meet future demands. Of the wastewater generated in Florida in 2017, 44 to 48% was reused. The majority was used to irrigate golf courses and lawns and for other public uses. Read More.
Minnesota: Stormwater Reuse in Waconia Controls Flooding, Conserves Water
WateReuse Association member the City of Waconia is operating four reuse systems across the city that capture and reuse stormwater runoff. The program provides flood control, improves water quality in Lake Waconia, and helps to recharge groundwater. The captured stormwater is used to irrigate residential developments, parks and ballfields, businesses, and schools. In the first eight months of 2019, the community reduced the amount of potable water used for irrigation by 4.3 million gallons. Read More.
Texas: El Paso Highlights Partnership with Bureau of Reclamation
El Paso Water President and CEO John Balliew recently shared a communication with ratepayers highlighting its partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation to develop water recycling and desalination projects. The Bureau of Reclamation offers a variety of competitive grant funding programs – from water recycling and reuse projects to drought response and desalination construction. El Paso’s partnership with Reclamation has included a $1.1 million Title XVI grant to expand its non-potable reuse program, a $3.5 million Title XVI grant for a new advanced water purification facility, and a $2 million WaterSmart grant to build a desalination plant. Read More.
WateReuse Customer Communications Tools and Resources
Engaging the Public Health Community on Water Reuse? Check out Our Online Resources
Although water reuse is a proven, science-based process that has been used safely in communities around the world for decades, the public is often skeptical when the concept is first introduced into a community. To build acceptance among medical and health professionals, WateReuse has launched the Medical Community Initiative and begun developing resources to support members in engaging with the public health community. Visit our website for videos, articles, and presentations that support engagement with medical professionals. New tools are being developed so check back for updates.
Conferences and Events
WateReuse Staff Discuss Water Reuse during WEFTEC, Climate Panel
WateReuse Association Executive Director Patricia Sinicropi participated in a water reuse workshop on Sunday, September 23 during WEFTEC 2019, the Water Environment Federation’s annual conference. Sinicropi presented innovative examples of both potable and non-potable recycling projects and made the case that both applications are an important part of the nation’s future. Sinciropi was joined at WEFTEC by Director of Strategic Operations, Carrie Capuco, who presented on WateReuse’s Public Health and Medical Community Initiative. Sinicropi also participated in a Climate Week panel on Friday, September 27 in New York City. The panel focused on the pioneering decentralized water reuse systems at Battery Park City.
Call for Abstracts: 2020 WateReuse California Annual Conference
The California Section of the WateReuse Association is accepting abstracts for presentations at the 2020 WateReuse California Annual Conference to be held March 15-17, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco, California. The conference is designed for individuals, organizations, and agencies that are associated with or interested in the design, management, operation, and use of water recycling facilities and projects in California. Abstracts are due October 18. Learn More.
Upcoming Events

- Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva, Project Manager, Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin
- Dr. Christina Jungfer, Project Manager, DECHEMA
- Prof. Dr. Jörg E. Drewes, Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering, Technical University of Munich
- Markus Büttner, Environmental Engineer, Stadtentwässerung SCHWEINFURT
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Wintgens, Chair of Urban Water Management and Institute of Environemtnal Engineering, RWTH Aachen University
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Dockhorn, Director, Institute of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Braunschweig
- Prof Dr. Aki S. Ruhl, German Environment Agency, Technical University of Berlin
Our next Bimonthly Member Meeting will be held in-person on Tuesday, October 10th at Rowland Water District, 3021 Fullerton Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748. Lunch will begin at 11:00 a.m., and the formal meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. 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, October 6th by filling out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/itWNqv2xh9. Please indicate if you plan on joining for lunch as well as the formal meeting so that we may get an accurate count. This meeting will have a capacity limit of 35 people.

11:00 am PT | 2 pm ET (1 hour)
WateReuse Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
High-recovery desalination processes offer the benefit of increasing water recovery, generally with increasing cost and complexity. Reverse osmosis and electrodialysis desalination processes will be reviewed and compared with respect to high-recovery water reuse applications.
Moderator:
Erin Young, R.G.
Hydrogeologist | Water Resources Manager
City of Flagstaff Water Services
eyoung@flagstaffaz.gov | w: (928) 213-2405
Presenter:
Shane Walker, Ph.D., P.E.
Director, Water Resources Center
Professor, Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering
Texas Tech University
806-834-0823
Add to Calendar
Please join the Emerging Professionals Committee for a tour of MWD’s Weymouth Water Treatment Plant on November 1, 2023, from 10 am – 12 pm! Tour capacity is limited to 30 people so please RSVP ASAP to reserve your spot at the link here: https://forms.gle/gxGhtcBLVwWMTG1F7
Constructed in 1941, the Weymouth Water Treatment Plant is the first water treatment plant constructed by the MWD and now has a treatment capacity of 520 million gallons per day! Please check out the fact sheet here for more information: water-treatment-plants-fact-sheet-final_web.pdf (mwdh2o.com)
Event Address: 700 Moreno Ave, La Verne, CA 91750
Parking is available on site.
Following the tour, anyone who is hungry is open to join us at In-N-Out Burger:
Restaurant Address: 2098 Foothill Blvd, La Verne, CA 91750
For more information, please contact Seto Cherchian at 714.944.4726 or