Date: January 31, 2021
The Project WET Foundation and the WateReuse Association announce the release of a new Water Reuse booklet that introduces students...
Date: September 14, 2015
Guidance Offers Framework for Converting Wastewater to Drinking Water
In response to the many communities in the U.S. seeking new strategies to develop sustainable water supplies, a diverse group of water sector organizations has released a framework to help state regulatory agencies and utilities develop guidelines for safely converting wastewater into municipal drinking water through the emerging practice of direct potable reuse (DPR).
The document, titled Framework for Direct Potable Reuse, is the result of a collaborative effort between WateReuse, the American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Water Environment Federation WEF) with the support of an independent advisory panel administered by the National Water Research Institute (NWRI).
“The water sector is transforming wastewater treatment into full resource recovery that provides valuable, renewable products,” said WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill. “This framework will help communities properly vet and consider incorporating DPR into their overall water management strategy.”
DPR involves the use of state-of-the art advanced water treatment technologies—like membranes, reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation—to remove viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants that may be present in wastewater. Current state and federal regulations were not developed with today’s technologies in mind.
“Until guidelines and regulations are prepared, this framework document can serve as a valuable resource to municipalities, utilities, and agencies interested in implementing DPR programs to augment community water supplies,” said Melissa Meeker, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association and Research Foundation.
“Freshwater resources are increasingly at risk in many communities,” added David LaFrance, CEO of AWWA. “With many communities seeking to expand their water supply portfolios, this guidance will help ensure that DPR is a safe and viable option.”
The Framework was prepared by a panel of seven experts with backgrounds in water and wastewater treatment, water quality policy and regulations, water resource planning, and public health risk assessment. These experts have extensive experience with proposed and existing DPR projects within the U.S. The chair of the panel is Dr. George Tchobanoglous, professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis.
The Framework document provides a context for DPR, including the costs, benefits, energy requirements, and comparative issues with other water sources and measures. Following this introduction, three key components of a DPR program are examined: (1) regulatory considerations (e.g., measures to mitigate public health risks); (2) technical issues related to the production of advanced treated water; and (3) public support and outreach.
“This document represents the first comprehensive framework for developing guidance for DPR,” said Jeff Mosher, Executive Director of NWRI. “The Panel is to be commended for its effort to pull together so much information into one useful, readily accessible document.”
Members of the panel included panel chair Dr. George Tchobanoglous of the University of California, Davis; Dr. Joseph Cotruvo of Joseph Cotruvo & Associates; environmental engineering consultant Dr. James Crook; Dr. Ellen McDonald of Alan Plummer Associates; Dr. Adam Olivieri of EOA, Inc.; Andrew Salveson of Carollo Engineers; and Dr. R. Shane Trussell of Trussell Technologies, Inc.
For a free copy of the Framework for Direct Potable Reuse, visit watereuse.org/dpr-framework.
Date: January 31, 2021
The Project WET Foundation and the WateReuse Association announce the release of a new Water Reuse booklet that introduces students...
WateReuse Members Profiled in EPA Water Workforce Compendium
Date: January 29, 2021
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is showcasing the successes of several WateReuse Association members in recruiting and retaining a...
WateReuse Applauds Selection of Radhika Fox to Lead EPA’s Office of Water
Date: January 22, 2021
The WateReuse Association applauds the appointment of Radhika Fox as Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s...
WateReuse is the only trade association that focuses solely on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase water reuse. Our niche strategy sets us apart from other organizations in the water industry.
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Water and Waste Regulations | West Virginia West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Washington State Department of Ecology, Reclaimed Water | Washington Washington State Department of Ecology
Reclaimed Water Use (Revised Code of Washington §90.46.005) | Washington State Legislature
Virginia State Law, Treatment and Standards for Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Virginia State Law, Minimum Standard Requirements for Reuses of Reclaimed Water | Virginia Virginia State Law
Use of Reclaimed Water (Texas Administrative Code §30.1.210) | Texas Administrative Code
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 210- Use of Reclaimed Water | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 321, Subchapter P | Texas Administrative Code
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. §5.102 | Texas Administrative Code
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2015 South Carolina Plumbing Code- Chapter 13 Nonpotable Water Systems | South Carolina Plumbing Code
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Water Reuse Program | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Oregon Water Resources Department, Municipal Water Reuse | Oregon Water Resources Department
Recycled Water Use Rules (Oregon Administrative Rules 340-055-0005) | Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
3701-29-17 Gray water recycling systems and alternative toilets. | Ohio Administrative Code
North Dakota Water Commission, North Dakota State Policy/Procedure for Transfer and Reuse of Wastewater | North Dakota Water Commission
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New York Environmental Protection Department, Water Reuse Program | New York Environmental Protection Department
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New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, Oil and Gas Extraction Wastewater Management | New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department
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New Hampshire Department of Environment Services, Land Treatment and Disposal of Reclaimed Wastewater: Guidance for Groundwater Discharge Permitting | New Hampshire Department of Environment Services
Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota -2018 Report of the Interagency Workgroup of Water Reuse | Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Municipal Wastewater Reuse Fact Sheet | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
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Department of the Environment, Water Reuse Initiative | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Maryland Water Reuse Laws, Regulation, and Guidelines | Maryland Department of the Environment
Department of the Environment, Water Reuse General Background Information
Kansas Water Office, Non-Traditional Sources and Uses of Water-Reuse | Kansas Water Office
567 Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 62: Effluent and Pretreatment Standards: Other Effluent Limits or Prohibitions | Iowa Department of Environmental Protection
Recycled Water Rules (Idaho Administrative Code 58.01.17)| Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s Reuse Program | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Study on the expansion of use of reclaimed water, stormwater, and excess surface water (Florida Senate Bill 536 (2015)) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Sewage disposal facilities; advanced and secondary waste treatment. (Florida Statutes §403.086)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §403.0645)| Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse of reclaimed water (Florida Statutes §373.250) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Reuse Feasibility Studies (Florida Administrative Code 62-610.820) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Required and optional elements of comprehensive plans (Florida Statutes §163.3177) | Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 2014 State of Connecticut Water Reuse Bill | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Regulation No. 84 – Reclaimed Water Control Regulation | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Commission
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Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 9, Article 7. Use of Recycled Water. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Arizona Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 11, Article 3. Reclaimed Water Quality Standards. | Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Reclaimed Water Reuse Program Chapter 335-6-20 | Alabama Department of Environmental Management
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Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
Water Management Planning | Assembly Bill (AB) 1668 and Senate Bill (SB) 606-May 31, 2018