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WRAP Quarterly Update

October–December 2023

A Message from Julia Anastasio, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Association of Clean Water Administrators

As the national voice of state, interstate and territorial officials responsible for the daily implementation of programs that protect surface waters across the nation, ACWA is proud of its continued participation in and support of the WRAP. Escalating stresses on our nation’s clean water supplies necessitate a nationwide effort among state, federal and Tribal partners, along with stakeholders from a variety of sectors to find innovative and effective approaches to water reuse.

In support of WRAP Action 2.2, ACWA—along with ASDWA, ECOS, ASTHO and the GWPC—has partnered with the EPA to lead four state water reuse workshops since 2019. These workshops provide forums and opportunities for state regulators to share information on managing water reuse in their states and to engage with EPA officials to identify state needs and federal tools and resources.

Most recently, ACWA co-led the 2023 State Summit on Water Reuse in Atlanta, Georga. Approximately 50 state and EPA officials attended the full-day workshop to discuss technical and policy aspects related to water reuse authorities under state law as well as the Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts. These discussions included topics like risk communication, emerging contaminants management, workforce attrition among regulated and regulating agencies, environmental justice and aquifer storage. ACWA is currently working with the EPA and its state association partners in planning the 2024 State Summit on Water Reuse, scheduled for March 11, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. State regulators can email Ward Scott if they are interested in learning more about attending the summit.

States play a unique and vital role in the continued advancement of water reuse and implementation of the WRAP. Through ongoing meaningful state–federal collaboration, the WRAP can advance effective water reuse practices on a national scale while also addressing each state’s unique water management challenges. ACWA values its ongoing partnership with the EPA’s Water Reuse Program and is excited to continue supporting the WRAP and state water reuse efforts.

Abbreviations are defined at the bottom of this message. See the Online Platform for more information about each action.

 

 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

WRAP email updates highlight relevant water reuse activities and events. Monthly updates from this past quarter are available online: 
•    October update
•    November update

New WRAP Actions

WRAP actions seek to advance water reuse planning and implementation across the country. Actions are organized by strategic theme to help focus efforts and inspire future action. We are pleased to announce that the following new actions are now underway. To get involved or provide input, please email the action leaders using contact information from the Online Platform.

Study the Public Benefit of a Potential Federal Investment Tax Credit to Support Private Investment in Water Reuse (Action 6.6, led by the EPA and Denver Water)

There is growing interest among the private sector in implementing water reuse as a tool to ensure sufficient water supplies in different industrial and business operations. Due to this growing interest, Congress has directed the EPA, in coordination with the Water Reuse Interagency Working Group, to undertake a study on the public benefit of a potential federal investment tax credit to support private investment in water reuse and recycling systems. The EPA’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board has agreed to conduct this study and plans to engage different public and private sector stakeholder groups.

Produce a Compendium of Best Practices for Community Engagement Related to Water Reuse (Action 8.9, led by WRF)

Positive, thoughtful and early engagement of different stakeholders (e.g., regulators, utilities, consultants) and impacted communities is often critical for the success of water reuse projects. However, the type of engagement needed and target audience vary across different reuse applications. Action leaders will compile existing work on public engagement and outreach into a compendium of best practices and create an interactive web tool to support future water reuse projects. 

Facilitate a Global Dialogue on Water Reuse (Action 11.5, led by WateReuse and the International Desalination and Reuse Association)

Action leaders will host a two-part Global Water Reuse Dialogue to bring together water utilities, practitioners, consultants and others to expand the conversation on water reuse. Through these dialogues, action leaders will take an in-depth look at the drivers, challenges and opportunities for water reuse around the world and publish findings in a white paper.

We welcome federal, state, tribal, local and water sector partners to propose actions to advance water reuse. Ideas for new actions may be sent to waterreuse@epa.gov. For information about how to propose, lead, or collaborate on a WRAP action, visit this webpage.

 

Completed WRAP Actions

Two WRAP actions were completed this quarter, demonstrating productivity and progress under the strategic themes of Outreach and Communications and International Collaboration. Completed WRAP action summaries are developed with action leaders and highlight impacts, lessons learned and potential future activities.

 

Establish a Water Reuse Champion Award Program for Private Sector Companies

(Action 8.4, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, University of Pennsylvania Water Center, Veolia and WateReuse)

An increasing number of businesses are recycling water or sourcing recycled water for use in their operations. The annual Water Reuse Champion Awards Program recognizes top Fortune 1000 companies that incorporate best-in-class water recycling programs, showcasing how water recycling is helping companies achieve their stewardship values and water management goals. The 2023 Industrial Water Reuse Champions Award was granted to APA Corporation, PepsiCo and Intel Corporation—companies representing the energy, food and beverage and technology industries. The 2023 Global Industrial Water Reuse Champions Award was presented to the Carlsberg Group and Kimberly-Clark Corporation. The 2024 Industrial Water Reuse Champions Awards are open to domestic and international companies; one round of winners will be selected. Additional award winners will be announced on an annual basis at public forums. 

Develop and Highlight Case Studies Relevant to the WICER Framework

(Action 11.3, led by the World Bank and the EPA)

Communities interested in exploring alternative water sources when expanding their water portfolio can learn from other communities’ already successful experiences in implementing innovative water reuse solutions. Building on the World Bank’s WICER framework, the action team developed detailed case studies that highlight each project’s unique reuse solutions; ability to navigate the local policy, institutional and regulatory environment; financial or contractual agreements; and lessons learned. To date, six action team members have published nine case studies, which are organized to describe how water reuse benefits communities (e.g., increasing water supply, recharging aquifers and preventing flooding). The World Bank and EPA anticipate publishing additional case studies on a rolling basis.

See the full quarterly update for all WRAP action outputs produced this quarter.

 

Abbreviations Used in This Message

ACWA

Association of Clean Water Administrators

GWPC

Ground Water Protection Council

ASDWA

Association of State Drinking Water Administrators

WateReuse

WateReuse Association

ASTHO

Association of State and Territorial Heath Officials

WICER

Water in Circular Economy and Resilience

ECOS

Environmental Council of the States

WRF

Water Research Foundation

EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency         

 

 

 

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