October 29, 2018
Washington Update
President Trump Signs Legislation in Support of Water Reuse
WateReuse Association Attends Grand Water Challenge Kick-Off Meeting and Summit
EPA Announces WIFIA Information Sessions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced three new dates for Information Sessions designed to give utilities the opportunity to learn about funding opportunities for water, wastewater, and recycled water infrastructure available under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). WIFIA program staff will provide an overview of the program, explain the financial benefits of WIFIA loans, and discuss the application process. The announced dates are:
- November 13, 2018, Chicago, Illinois
- December 11, 2018, Boston, Massachusetts
- January 15, 2019, Atlanta, Georgia
State Updates and Member Profiles
California: West Basin to Receive Up to $35 Million for Water Recycling in New Federal Package
America’s Water Infrastructure Act, the comprehensive infrastructure legislation signed by the president on Oct. 23, will allow West Basin Municipal Water District to access an additional $35 million in federal funding for its Harbor South Bay Water Recycling project. This major federal water infrastructure package includes a specific provision to allow West Basin to pursue significant funding through the Army Corps of Engineers to upgrade and increase capacity at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility in El Segundo. S. 3021 includes provisions to double the original project authorization from $35 million to $70 million, which will assist West Basin in ensuring that an adequate water supply for the Los Angeles region is met for current and future demands. Read More.
California: Mike Bloomberg Names San José Winner in Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge
WateReuse Association member the City of San José was one of 20 cities to win the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, a $70 million program that will accelerate efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for residents. Through the Climate Challenge – which is part of Bloomberg’s American Cities Initiative, a suite of more than $200 million in investments to strengthen city halls and advance critical policies – San José is accepted into a two-year acceleration program and will be provided powerful new resources and access to innovative support to help meet or beat the city’s near-term carbon-reduction goals. Bloomberg Philanthropies selected San José as a winning city because of its innovative and ambitious climate action plan, Climate Smart San José, which will reduce air pollution, save water, and improve quality of life. Read More.
Oregon: Clean Water Services Highlights One Water, Resource Recovery
WateReuse Association member Clean Water Services released its Annual Report highlighting a focus on “One Water” and the use of creative approaches to improve water quality, recover resources, gain efficiency, create value, and connect people to their ecosystems. In Oregon’s Washington County, Clean Water Services and a network of partners promote the healthy flow of One Water. As a Utility of the Future, Clean Water Services is committed to services the whole community – families and businesses, plants, and wildlife. View the Annual Report.
Conferences and Events
Webcast: Learn about the New Recycled Water User Network
Please join us on Thursday, November 15 at 2:00 pm EST to learn about the WateReuse Association’s newest membership opportunity, the Recycled Water User Network. The network gives businesses, governments and nonprofits that use recycled water the opportunity to receive a green designation, Water StarTM and to access information and resources on recycled water and access to the Association’s membership benefits, including access to monthly webcasts, weekly newsletter, and discounts on conference registration fees. To learn more about how your utility can take advantage of the Recycled Water User Network, register today for the webcast.
Webcast: Reducing the Cost of Concentrate Disposal: Using a Novel Hybrid NF-RO to Enhance Sodium Chloride Removal
Concentrate disposal is a major cost for desalting operations, and for many water-recycling applications only partial desalting is needed, often targeting sodium chloride specifically. Please join us on Wednesday, November 14 at 2 p.m. EST to learn about a pilot study that was conducted to demonstrate the viability of a two-pass system, combining an NF pass with a second RO pass and blending the NF concentrate with the RO permeate. Findings indicate that sodium chloride can be preferentially removed from the recycled water, chemical and power consumption can be reduced when operated at system recoveries comparable to typical RO systems, and much higher recoveries are achievable with modest increases in power and chemical usage. Register Now!
Upcoming Events
April 20, 2025 – Orange County Sanitation District |
Main Presentations:
- Purified Recycled Water Demonstration Design & Communication Toolbox Water Research Foundation Study
- Carrie del Boccio, Woodard & Curran
- Direct Potable Reuse Communications Panel
- Rob Thompson, General Manager (OC SAN), Gina Ayala, Director of Public Affairs (OCWD), Carrie Del Boccio (Woodard & Curran), Sara Katz (Katz & Associates)
- OC SAN Innovations
- Rob Thompson, General Manager, OC SAN
Will be held in person.
Chapter Meeting: Agenda and Details TBD
Officer’s Meeting
Each year, WateReuse Florida develops and distributes a proclamation, which is signed by the Governor, Florida’s water management districts and local governments to celebrate Water Reuse Week. This year Water Reuse Week is May 18-24, 2025.
Signed Proclamation is coming soon!
The WateReuse Florida section is excited to announce our 2025 Summit. We will convene at the Jupiter Community Center in south Florida.
We will kick off the event with a tour of the Loxahatchee River Water Reclamation Facility. Then gather at the Jupiter Community Center for key topics for discussion and to learn from colleagues how they are approaching the challenges and drivers in the south.

AWWA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Expo
Water Solutions: Our journey to ensure clean and safe water is fueled by heightened awareness, elevated standards, and innovative solutions. As the world evolves, we remain vigilant, resourceful, and committed to collaboration. Let’s innovate together and ELEVATE the future of water.