WRAP Monthly Update – September 2024

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September 2024

Publications and Webinars

The CDC Publishes a Recycled Water Webpage. The CDC published a new webpage, titled “Recycled Water for Drinking: An Overview,” on its Drinking Water resources site. The webpage presents an overview of recycled water practices in the U.S. that is accessible for non-scientific audiences and summarizes associated treatment processes and research on the safety of potable reuse. (Action 8.6: Develop Water Reuse Communication Tools)

The University of Southern California (USC) ReWater Center Releases Potable Water Reuse Report. The USC ReWater Center recently published a new issue of its Potable Water Reuse Report. In this installment, international potable reuse projects are highlighted, drawing attention to the disparity between the number of projects within and outside of the United States. The new report features interviews with members of the international potable reuse community discussing obstacles that inhibit the development of regulations abroad and provides a roadmap to address these challenges. Sign up to receive these reports! (Action 7.10: Implement the DoD-funded Water Reuse Consortium for Water Resiliency at Military and Municipal Facilities)

The US Water Alliance Hosts One Water Webinar on Leadership and Equity in the Water Workforce. In late September, the US Water Alliance held a One Water webinar to explore frameworks that simultaneously develop the water workforce and promote equity. “Leadership Lessons on Transforming the Water Workforce and Advancing Equity” highlighted several programs that aim to increase the strength and longevity of the water workforce through the integration of leadership across sectors; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and workforce partnerships. Ensuring a robust, knowledgeable water workforce is key to the continued expansion and effective implementation of water reuse practices. Watch the recording here.

Water Reuse Funding Opportunities and Announcements

The EPA Launches its Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT). The EPA’s new CRAFT website contains resources that help funding applicants and recipients identify opportunities, develop funding applications and implement projects with climate change in mind. The CRAFT website aims to support technical assistance providers working with states, Tribes, communities, nongovernmental organizations, academic institutions, businesses and others looking to invest in climate-resilient projects, including water reuse initiatives. Using CRAFT, technical assistance providers, applicants and recipients can access a variety of effective resources, including overviews of financial assistance opportunities, climate risk assessment tools and communication materials.

The Biden-Harris Administration Announces $7.5 Billion in Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects. In early September, the EPA announced the availability of $7.5 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. This includes $6.5 billion available through WIFIA and $1 billion available through the State Water Infrastructure Financing Authority (SWIFIA). Priority areas for this round of funding include strengthening climate resilience in the water sector and supporting water innovation and resilience, both of which can include water reuse projects. The EPA is accepting letters of interest for WIFIA and SWIFIA loans. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The EPA to Host WIFIA Application Webinars. Throughout the fall, the WIFIA team will host several informative webinars for prospective borrowers to foster a greater understanding of the WIFIA program requirements and pave the way for successful applications to the program. The first webinar, “How to Apply for WIFIA Financing,” will be held on October 17 and the webinar, “How to Apply for SWIFIA Financing” will be held on November 12. All webinars are held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (ET).

The EPA Awards $15 Million in Research Grants for Understanding Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Uptake in Crops and Livestock. The EPA awarded over $15 million in grant funding to ten institutions for research to reduce PFAS exposure from food and protect our farmland and farming communities. These community-engaged research projects will collect PFAS bioaccumulation data in agricultural plants and livestock and explore strategies for reducing PFAS exposure, thereby increasing our knowledge of biological PFAS uptake and improving farm viability. Several recipients will investigate the influence of irrigation water, including recycled water, on PFAS uptake and bioaccumulation in plants and animals.

Apply to Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program. The Bureau of Reclamation is currently accepting applications for its “Desalination and Water Purification Research Program: Research Projects FY25.” The program offers funding for applicants seeking to conduct research related to water treatment, including the advancement of desalination technologies, the improvement of pathogen removal processes in recycled water and the development of techniques to monitor the effectiveness of desalination and reuse processes. Applications must be submitted by November 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. (MT).

Submit a Proposal to The Water Research Foundation’s (WRF) Project: Assessing Changing Salinity in Water Sources. WRF recently issued a request for proposals for project 5308, “Assessing Changing Salinity in Water Sources.” Applicants can apply for up to $150,000 in funding for a variety of projects that evaluate salinity impacts on drinking water, including projects that assess treatment processes and water reuse applications. Applications must be submitted by November 14, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. (MT).

Join the Annual State Revolving Fund (SRF) Workshop. The Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA) will be hosting its annual workshop on Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs, November 17-20, 2024, in Long Beach, CA. The theme of this year’s workshop is “Eureka! State Solutions for the SRFs,” and it will focus on current and future developments in SRFs.

Upcoming Reuse Activities and Events

October 1-23—EPA-hosted Community Change Grants Technical Assistance Office Hours. Register here.
October 17—EPA-hosted webinar: How to Apply for WIFIA Financing. Register here.
November 12—EPA-hosted webinar: How to Apply for SWIFIA Financing. Register here.
November 13—Deadline to apply for Reclamation’s Desalination and Water Purification Research Program: Research Projects FY25. Apply here.
November 14—Deadline to apply for The Water Research Foundation’s RFP: Assessing Changing Salinity in Water Sources. Apply here.
November 17-20—CIFA SRF Workshop, held in Long Beach, CA. Learn more here.

Spotlight on Disaster Preparation and Recovery

Integrating water reuse into a community’s water portfolio can help utilities effectively prepare for and respond to disasters that can impact drinking water and wastewater services. Water reuse projects can provide alternatives to existing water supplies, enhancing a community’s resilience. By reducing the amount of stormwater entering sewers, water reuse efforts can also reduce flooding risk. The following WRAP actions and products spotlight the role of water reuse in disaster preparation and recovery efforts.

WRAP Action 2.14: Integrate Water Reuse into FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs. This action is a collaboration between the EPA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to better integrate water reuse into FEMA’s hazard mitigation funding programs, which support reuse as a tool for drought and flood mitigation. The following webinars were produced through this action:
Resources to Help Utilities Recover in the Aftermath of a Disaster. This webinar discusses the resources available to utilities to assist with disaster recovery.
Get Prepared to Help Communities Recover More Quickly from a Disaster. This webinar outlines how the EPA, FEMA and state governments can better prepare to help communities recover from disaster by featuring presentations from states that utilized FEMA and EPA resources in the wake of disaster.
WRAP Action 3.3: Convene Experts to Address Opportunities and Challenges Related to Urban Stormwater Capture and Use (SCU). Stormwater capture can supplement water supplies, address water quality challenges and reduce flooding risk. The following products can foster greater understanding of SCU:

Pure Potential: The Case for SCU. This report presents a strategic framework to guide the implementation SCU projects and recommends specific actions to develop SCU as a tool for flood mitigation and water management.
Onsite Rainwater and SCU Infographic. This infographic presents an overview of onsite rainwater and stormwater capture and use from the point of collection to use.
Community Rainwater and SCU Infographic. This infographic depicts the capture, movement, storage and use of rainwater and stormwater at the community scale.
E-Book: Onsite Water Recycling: An Innovative Approach to Solving an Old Problem. To encourage transformation in the water sector, this e-book features stories, lessons learned and cases studies, such as projects utilizing onsite reuse to mitigate peak flows into combined sewers. (Action 3.4: Develop Research and Tools to Support the Implementation of Onsite Water Reuse Systems)
Water Reuse Case Study: Brooklyn, New York. This case study details a new onsite treatment and reuse project in Brooklyn, NY, that integrates green infrastructure to reduce stormwater flow volumes to a combined sewer system. (Action 11.3: Develop and Highlight Case Studies Relevant to the Water in Circular Economy and Resilience Framework)