November 19, 2018
Washington Update
WateReuse Association Urges Lame Duck Action on Western Water Investment Programs
WateReuse Association Joins Water Sector in Urging Passage of Legislation to Fund Water Research
The WateReuse Association signed onto a joint water sector letter sent to House and Senate appropriation chairs November 13 in support of swift action to pass the FY2019 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill upon returning into session, which includes $4.1 million for the National Priorities Water Research Grant program. This program is one of the few federal programs that sponsors extramural research to address the most pressing needs of the water sector, including water recycling research sponsored by the Water Research Foundation. Although Congress has supported funding for the program since 2012, funding of this grant program would be less certain under a Continuing Resolution.
State Updates and Member Profiles
Welcome New Member!
The WateReuse Association welcomes the following new members:
California: Water Board Set to Revise CWSRF Policy
On November 28, the California State Water Board will revise the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Policy to help manage the extreme demand the program has experienced in recent years. The CWSRF is a major source of funding for recycled water projects in California. One of the significant changes contained in the draft CWSRF Policy is replacing a Project List with the “Fundable List.” The primary purpose of the Fundable List is to identify potentially eligible projects the Water Board intends to finance during a particular state fiscal year. Only the projects listed on the Fundable List would be eligible to receive financing. WateReuse California submitted comments to the Water Board and will testify at the hearing. WRCA has also asked the Water Board to request additional bond financing to help fund the huge backlog of recycled water projects.
Maryland: Water Reuse Initiative Aims to Increase Reuse; Update Regulations
Although water reuse is not new to Maryland, the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) is a year into a water reuse initiative intended to raise awareness, improve business certainty with clear reuse guidelines, offer financial and technical resources, and incorporate water reuse into long range planning for Chesapeake Bay restoration and Maryland’s statewide water supply plan. Maryland currently recycles water for non-food crop irrigation, golf course irrigation, power plant cooing, and data center cooling. As part of this initiative, MDE is exploring ways to remove barriers to increasing the volume of reuse and expanding the types of reuse. Learn More.
New Mexico: EPA, New Mexico Release Draft White Paper on Water Reuse in the Oil and Gas Sector
The State of New Mexico and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft white paper that addresses state and federal regulatory management of produced water, along with opportunities to treat and reuse the water to help alleviate water scarcity issues across the state. New Mexico is the third largest oil producing state in the United States and is seeking ways to reuse the water that is produced during oil and gas extraction and the EPA has a goal of promoting wastewater as a resource. The final white paper is scheduled for release at the end of 2018. Learn More.
Association Update
Webcast Introduces Recycled Water User Network
Conference and Events
Webcast: Using Onsite Water Recycling Systems to Transform Water Management
Please join us on December 11 at 2 p.m. ET to learn how communities such as San Francisco and Denver are incorporating onsite non-potable water systems to diversify their water supply portfolios and transform the way water is managed in buildings. Increased interest in sustainable resource management has resulted in the adoption of a diverse array of water recycling and reuse techniques that maximize valuable water supplies to meet the challenging water demands of the 21st century.
Paula Kehoe, the Director of Water Resources at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, will present on San Francisco’s innovative Non-potable Water Program. Established in 2012, San Francisco’s Non-potable Water Program allows for the collection, treatment, and use of alternate water sources for non-potable uses in buildings, and provides a streamlined permitting program for onsite water systems. In addition, she will present on the recent work of the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems, a group of public utilities and health agencies building consensus on water quality standards and permitting approaches, to help municipalities build local permitting programs for onsite water systems.
Brian Good, Chief Administrative Officer of Denver Water, will present on upcoming regulatory changes and remaining challenges for onsite water recycling in Colorado. He will also present on two of Denver Water’s projects that are moving forward with design and construction guided by a One Water approach to water management. Register Now!
Upcoming Events
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: WateReue & AWE Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Can onsite water reuse systems be successfully integrated with a community’s centralized treatment system? New legislation is being adopted around the country to remove barriers to onsite water reuse and communities like San Francisco are leading the way in demonstrating how onsite non-potable water systems can supplement centralized treatment and extend water supplies. This presentation will discuss important lessons learned in San Francisco, which has been requiring onsite water reuse in new large developments for seven years. You will also learn how model legislation developed by the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems is being adopted across the country to encourage the use of alternative water supplies. The presentation will also provide a preview of the National Blue Ribbon Commission’s new training manual for onsite reuse, which will be released in early 2020, and discuss future research priorities aimed at advancing more widespread adoption of onsite non-potable water systems.
Moderator:
Mary Ann Dickinson
President and CEO
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Presenter:
Paula Kehoe
Director of Water Resources
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Webcast
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern ; 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific
Fee: Members: Free; Others: $49
PDHs: 1
Congress enters 2020 with the next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in its sights. Hearings and discussions have begun in earnest within the committees of jurisdiction in both the House and Senate. A number of important bills that were introduced or debated in 2019 may see further consideration in 2020 in the context of development of the next WRDA. At the same time, the Trump Administration will release its FY 2021 budget request as early as February, prompting Congress to launch the FY 2021 appropriations cycle.
Please join us January 8 at 2 p.m. ET for a webcast with Washington insiders to examine what’s on the congressional agenda for 2020 and how you can position your utility or company to have a voice at the table. Top Washington water sector lobbyists will discuss the status of key legislation and explain the opportunities to advance a water reuse policy agenda. Whether you plan to travel to Washington for Water Week in the Spring or are just interested in what to expect from Congress in 2020, this webcast will be a national advocacy primer for water professionals.
Presenters
Moderator:
Greg Fogel, Policy Director, WateReuse Association
Mia O’Connell, President, O’Connell & Dempsey, LLC
Mia’s focus for three decades has been in the water resource and environment arenas. Mia has focused her efforts for her public agency and water clients on Corps of Engineers, EPA and Department of Interior projects. Mia works with the Corps in the flood protection, ecosystem restoration, navigation and water supply areas.
Geoff Bowman, Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates
Having spent large parts of two decades as a staff member on the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Geoff Bowman offers clients an insider’s perspective on the policy, players, and politics involved in those issues.
The Annual WateReuse California Conference brings together utilities, businesses, policymakers, and large water users from across the state to examine the latest issues and technologies in water recycling.
Mark your calendars for May 19-20, 2020 for the WateReuse Pacific Northwest annual conference. This year’s conference will be held at King County’s Brightwater Center, an environmental education and event center located on the Brightwater Treatment Plant campus. An impressive conference program is being planned featuring innovative reuse projects, research, education and community outreach, new regulatory directions and an operator session tailored to reuse facility operations.