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July & August 2024

Publications, Research and Events

The White House Identifies Water Recycling as a Climate Resilience Game Changer. The Biden-Harris Administration identified water recycling as a key climate resilience practice in its first Climate Resilience Game Changers Assessment. The Assessment details 28 tools, technologies and strategies to enhance climate readiness and support environmental justice. Water recycling is featured alongside other key water-related efforts, including building smart water infrastructure and investing in enhanced aquifer recharge, making water reuse a crucial part of the administration’s strategy for managing the nation’s water resources under a changing climate.

The EPA Undertakes a Study of the Agricultural and Wildlife Water Use Subcategory of the Oil and Gas Extraction Effluent Guidelines. The EPA recently announced a new study of the regulations at 40 CFR 435 Subpart E of the Oil and Gas Extraction Effluent Guidelines. These regulations – first promulgated in 1979 – allow for discharge of produced water from onshore facilities into navigable waters west of the 98th meridian if the produced water has a use in agriculture or wildlife propagation. The EPA will evaluate whether there are affordable and available treatment technologies that can reduce the discharge of pollutants from this industry. The study will inform whether updates to the Subpart E regulations are warranted.

The EPA Publishes Brief on Treating Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in Wastewater. The EPA published a new technology brief providing preliminary information on treating PPCPs in municipal wastewater to inform the initial identification of PPCP treatment technology. This brief discusses the characteristics of PPCPs that make them resistant to removal in conventional wastewater treatment facilities and a review of known treatment options. Understanding removal efficacy of PPCPs in wastewater can help inform treatment needs and potential applications for different types of water reuse. (Action 4.9: Incorporate Water Reuse Technology Resources into the Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology (SCOWT) Platform) 

The EPA Releases New Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Program Overview Factsheet. The CWSRF recently released an improved program overview factsheet, which details how the CWSRF can provide flexible, low-cost financing for water quality infrastructure projects, including water reuse projects. Other CWSRF factsheets that describe funding for climate resiliency activities can be found here. (Action 6.2A: Communicate Eligibility of Water Reuse in SRF Programs)

National Blue Ribbon Commission (NBRC) for Onsite Water Systems Publishes Action Plan. The NBRC recently published the “2024 NBRC Action Plan: Accelerating Onsite Water Systems in Communities,” which outlines 10 goals to advance the use of onsite water reuse and support sustainable water management. The action plan describes methods and best practices to promote the implementation of onsite water systems from the individual building level to entire neighborhoods. (Action 3.4: Develop Research and Tools to Support OWS)

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) Hosts Webcast on National Research Strategy for Water Reuse. In late August, the WRF hosted the webcast, Incorporating Academic Research into the Coordinated National Research Strategy for Water Reuse. The presentation introduced a draft framework for creating a prioritized research agenda that incorporates input from various water reuse stakeholders, such as utilities, consultants, academics and others interested in water reuse. To view a recording of the webcast, register here. (Action 7.2: Develop a Coordinated National Research Strategy)

White Paper Highlights Outcomes of Urban Water Management Workshop. A new white paper, Mainstreaming Decentralized Urban Water Management Solutions for Sustainable Cities, spotlights three roadmaps to sustainable water use and sanitation for major cities. It synthesizes insights gained from a June 2023 road mapping workshop organized by Eawag, the University of California, Berkeley and BlueTech Research to enhance the efficiency of urban water management. Water reuse is at the center of their solution framework. Roadmap 1 hinges on equipping individual buildings with their own wastewater treatment facilities for local treatment and reuse. The proposed solutions – already being implemented in six cities around the world – range from city to building scale, offering innovative models to address current and future water scarcity.

Water Reuse Funding

The EPA Awards $9 Million in Research Grants to Address Knowledge Gaps in Antimicrobial Resistance. In August, the EPA announced $9 million in grant funding to four institutions to address knowledge gaps and better identify and manage antimicrobial resistance risk. Wastewater treatment facilities are potential receptors and sources for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. These research projects will measure the environmental health impact of antimicrobial resistance in wastewater and advance understanding of the evolution and spread of antimicrobial resistance. (Action 7.9: Evaluate AMR in Wastewater: Research Grant)

The EPA Announces $14 Million WIFIA Loan to Develop Drought Solutions in California. The EPA recently announced a $14.8 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan to Palmdale Water District in southern California. This WIFIA loan will assist the district’s regional advanced water augmentation program – which will involve purifying recycled water for potable use – to expand the water supply by establishing a drought-proof drinking water supply for over 125,000 residents. The district’s water purification demonstration facility will also test an emerging technology, called direct air capture, which is designed to transform brine into a solvent. It will capture carbon dioxide, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower operation and maintenance costs. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The EPA Announces $188 Million WIFIA Loan to Upgrade and Expand Water Services in Central Florida. The EPA announced a $188.3 million WIFIA loan to the Toho Water Authority. With this loan, the authority will modernize water infrastructure in Polk and Osceola counties to help ensure a resilient water supply for over 450,000 residents. The EPA’s WIFIA program will support Toho Water Authority’s One Water Program, which aims to reduce reliance on fresh groundwater supplies by increasing the use of potable and non-potable water supplies. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The EPA Announces Recipients of $20 Million in Grant Funding for Water Workforce Training. In July, the EPA provided over $20 million to 13 workforce development organizations across the nation under its Innovative Water Workforce Development Grant Program. The grants will expand public awareness about job opportunities in the drinking water and wastewater sectors and will help address the workforce needs of utilities. The program also develops apprenticeship programs, labor standards and other tools to ensure a strong pipeline of workers and high-quality jobs.

The EPA Names Recipients of Stormwater Centers of Excellence Grant. In July, the EPA announced it would award $5 million in grants to establish four new Centers of Excellence for Stormwater Control Infrastructure Technologies and a national electronic clearinghouse for new and emerging stormwater control technologies. The Centers of Excellence for Stormwater will enhance efforts to support the nation’s water infrastructure and protect water quality. The national clearinghouse will compile information about new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies and funding approaches.

The USDA Invests $400 Million in Water Conservation Strategies. The USDA announced plans to invest up to $400 million under the Western Water Framework, which aims to help farmers manage water supplies and mitigate climate change impacts. The funding will help irrigation districts and farmers adopt innovative water-saving technologies and farming practices, including water reuse. The USDA has preliminarily selected 18 irrigation districts in 13 states and will allocate up to $15 million per district based on the need for water supply management intervention.

Apply to the EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program. The EPA’s Community Change Grants program has announced approximately $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds in environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. Water is the medium by which many communities experience climate stress, and reuse can help make our systems more resilient to its impacts. View the initial application selections here, and click here to apply. Application packages must be submitted on or before November 21, 2024, at 11:59 PM (ET).

State Update

California Approves and Files Direct Potable Reuse Regulations. On August 6th, California’s Office of Administrative Law approved and filed its Direct Potable Reuse Regulations (OAL File No. 2024-0624-02S). These regulations, which will take effect on October 1st, 2024, are the culmination of years of collaborative effort among entities including WateReuse California, the State Water Resources Control Board and others. The implementation of these regulations marks a milestone in establishing water reuse as a safe and sustainable practice in California.

Opportunities

The EPA Seeks Nominations for its Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The EPA is seeking nominations to serve on its FRRCC, which provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to the Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. The committee provides crucial support by helping inform the priorities of the EPA’s new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. To build a broad and balanced representation of perspectives for the FRRCC, members may represent farmers, ranchers and rural communities; allied industries, including farm groups, rural suppliers, marketers and processors; academia and researchers; state, local and tribal government; and nongovernmental organizations. To be considered for an appointment to the FRRCC, nominations should be submitted to FRRCC@epa.gov by September 5th, 2024, with the subject line “FRRCC Membership 2024.” Nominations should include a resume or curriculum vitae and a statement of interest.