Recent and Upcoming Water Reuse Activities
This page highlights recent or upcoming accomplishments and activities relevant to water reuse. Most items on this page are associated with the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP), which is a coordinated and collaborative effort across the water community to advance consideration of reuse to ensure the security, sustainability, and resilience of our nation’s water resources.
Upcoming Reuse Activities and Events
- September 3—State Revolving Fund Office Hours, hosted by the Environmental Finance Center Network. Register here.
- September 10—WIFIA Office Hours. Register here.
- September 10—EPA Water Workforce Webinar: Enhancing the Careers for Utility Administrative Professionals. Register here.
- September 11—WateReuse Ohio Webcast: The EPA presents A Risk-Based Approach to Water Reuse. Register here.
- September 15—State Revolving Fund Office Hours, hosted by the Environmental Finance Center Network. Register here.
- September 16-18—2025 WateReuse Texas Annual Conference. Learn more here.
- September 21-23—2025 WateReuse California Annual Conference. Learn more here.
- October 6—Deadline to apply for the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program. Apply here.
- October 8—WIFIA Office Hours. Register here.
- October 22—Deadline to apply for WRF Project 5309: Developing a Protocol for Evaluating Pathogen Concentrations in Secondary Effluent. Apply here.
- November 12—WIFIA Office Hours. Register here.
A Message from Sharon Nappier, U.S. EPA’s National Program Leader for Water Reuse
As we celebrate the five-year anniversary of the WRAP this year, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our collaborating individuals and organizations. Your efforts have made it easier for communities to pursue water reuse through your creation of more than 190 publicly available resources that provide technical, communications and financial support.
On a personal note, I would like to share an experience that underscored the critical importance of water resilience. Last September, my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, was hit by Hurricane Helene, which caused extreme flooding and triggered landslides that contaminated our local water supply and destroyed our primary water distribution lines. My family was left without drinking water for 53 days, forcing us to spend weeks hauling water from mountain streams to flush toilets and drive to distribution centers for drinking water.
This is why the work we all do is so crucial — it ensures that we have water when we need it, where we need it. As cities plan to meet the water needs of growing populations, adapt to industrial growth and prepare for natural disasters, water reuse is an invaluable tool for a resilient water supply. You, the WRAP partners, are making water reuse more accessible.
The five years of incredible work conducted by WRAP partners are captured in annual progress updates. A few key highlights include:
- Convened cross-sector participants to identify ways to accelerate onsite reuse at the Onsite Water Reuse Summit. (Action 2.18, led by NBRC for OWS and EPA)
- Published the quarterly “Potable Water Reuse Report,” which covered critical topics such as regulations and pathogen reduction crediting frameworks. (Action 7.10, led by USACE and the Water Reuse Consortium)
- Provided states and utilities with clear and adaptable communications resources in an online library. (Action 8.1, led by WateReuse)
- Supported state regulators through State Summits on Water Reuse that have garnered participation from 23 states since 2019. (Action 2.2, led by EPA, ACWA and ASDWA in collaboration with GWPC, ASTHO, ECOS and WateReuse)
- Demonstrated benefits of water reuse through case studies. (Action 11.3, led by the World Bank and EPA)
- Explored water reuse in the beverage manufacturing industry by publishing a white paper that identifies solutions to regulatory and treatment challenges. (Action 5.7, led by GHD)
In the years ahead, EPA is focusing on activities aligned with EPA Administrator Zeldin’s five pillars to power the “Great American Comeback” -- one drop at a time. For example, we are bringing a fresh focus to industrial applications of water reuse through new partnerships to advance data center cooling, semiconductor manufacturing, auto manufacturing, food and beverage production and more. As we pursue these collaborations to expand opportunities for water reuse, the EPA will remain responsive to the needs of communities, and eager to work with the water sector, ensuring that the WRAP will continue to deliver solutions for a reliable water supply now and into the future. I look forward to fostering innovation and continuing partnerships that transform how we think about water reuse. Your dedication fuels our collective progress!
Publications, Activities and Resources
The ReWater Center Publishes Report on Developing New Pathogen Crediting Frameworks
This issue of the Potable Water Reuse Report presents three approaches to developing new pathogen crediting frameworks. Crediting frameworks help ensure that water treatment systems effectively remove pathogens and can improve potable reuse system economics and efficiency, but, as the report explains, many treatment processes lack these frameworks. To address this need, the report highlights how various approaches can be used to establish and enhance credits for key water reuse treatment processes. 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 EPA Presents Water Reuse Research Approaches in WateReuse Ohio Webinar
In Defining, Monitoring, and Assessing Different Water Reuse Approaches: A Research and Development Perspective,” representatives from the EPA’s Office of Research and Development discussed ongoing research to support and develop water reuse technologies. Their research centers on defining treatment targets for contaminant removal, assessing system performance and evaluating life cycle impacts of different reuse scenarios. The presentation also discussed the EPA’s recent publication: Risk-Based Framework for Developing Microbial Treatment Targets for Water Reuse. (Action 3.1: Compile Existing Fit-for-Purpose Specifications)
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) Publishes a White Paper on Valuing the Circular Water Economy
This new white paper from WEF shares how transitioning to a circular water economy can address water scarcity challenges and unlock up to $47 billion annually for U.S. utilities and municipalities. To facilitate a national transition, the white paper presents three strategies for circular water management: reduce, recover and regenerate. Together, these strategies spotlight the significant potential benefits of water reuse. (Action 4.11: Accelerate the Circular Water Economy Through Innovation)
The New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium (NMPWRC) Launches Monthly Webinar Series
The NMPWRC aims to advance scientific research and technology development to guide New Mexico’s future reuse policies for produced water (i.e., wastewater from oil and gas operations). To accelerate this goal, the Consortium launched a monthly webinar series that highlights innovative research, technology and policy pertinent to produced water reuse. The first webinar in July featured a presentation on the EPA’s Freshwater Explorer 2.0 — a water quality mapping tool that can help inform potential water reuse projects. The second webinar in August explored the development of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System+ Analyte List, which can support produced water characterization. Watch the webinars here. (Action 4.2: Implement NMPWRC)
Explore Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Project Case Studies
The CWSRF program is a federal-state partnership that provides low-cost financing to communities for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects, including water reuse. Potential applicants can explore previous projects on the CWSRF Case Studies webpage, which features nine water reuse projects. (Action 6.2A: Communicate Eligibility of Water Reuse in SRF Programs)
WEF Publishes a White Paper on Distributed Water Infrastructure
Distributed water infrastructure, which involves the construction and management of small-scale water infrastructure and systems, represents an alternative to centralized water management. This approach can offer solutions to a variety of water challenges by helping ensure the safety and reliability of water supplies, often by leveraging water reuse. “Distributed Water Infrastructure Framework and Possibilities” analyzes the benefits of this water management tool and presents recommendations to advance its widespread acceptance and adoption.
State Regulators, Researchers and Engineering Group Collaborate to Publish Open-Source Journal Article with a Database on Bacterial Inactivation
A new open-source database housing nearly 5,000 bacteria log reduction values is now available in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology. The database and accompanying paper, “Development of a disinfection efficiency database for bacterial inactivation: A systematic literature review for selected water treatment technologies,” can help streamline and enhance the selection of appropriate treatment technologies for water reuse projects.
The U.S. Green Building Council California Releases a White Paper on Strategies for Scaling Water Efficiency
Accurately valuing water resources is critical for ensuring their long-term reliability. The USGBC California’s new white paper reframes the value of water by highlighting it as a limited resource in need of conservation. “The Paradox of Cheap Water” presents a strategic roadmap to address the institutional and economic challenges facing the water industry, advocating for water reuse solutions to overcome current and future water stressors.
The Electric Power Research Institute Requests Feedback on GIS-based Mapping and Information Tool
EPRI is developing a publicly accessible, GIS-based tool for advancing water reuse within the power sector. This currently accessible alternative water siting tool helps to identify potential alternative water sources, such as treated municipal wastewater, for new or expanding power plants. The tool will include geospatial and informational data on thermal power plants and wastewater treatment plants, with plans to expand into further sources of alternative water (e.g., saline aquifers) in future versions. EPRI is looking to expand the tool’s initial scope beyond the power sector to serve a broader range of end-use planners and is requesting feedback from water reuse stakeholders outside of the power industry. If you would like to serve as a reviewer for the tool and provide feedback, please contact Katie VanderEspt (kvanderespt@epri.com).
The Alliance for the Great Lakes Publishes Report Supporting Water Reuse to Meet Regional Water Demands
As water demands rise in the Great Lakes region, so does the need for innovative water management tools. A new report from the Alliance for the Great Lakes underscores the need for regulatory and policy action to ensure reliable access to water resources as large water users, such as data centers, grow more prevalent throughout the region. Key among the report’s recommended actions is the creation and adaptation of state regulations to enable water reuse for non-potable purposes, such as data center cooling.
Bruno Pigott Announced as Executive Director of the WateReuse Association
Bruno Pigott, former Acting Assistant Administrator for the EPA’s Office of Water, brings decades of leadership, knowledge and advocacy to his new role as the Executive Director of the WateReuse Association. At the EPA, Mr. Pigott played a critical role in advancing policy and technology innovation in the water reuse space. Congratulations to Mr. Pigott and the WateReuse Association!
Water Reuse Funding and Opportunities
The EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program Celebrates $10 Billion in Loan Disbursements
The WIFIA program recently reached a significant milestone — $10 billion in disbursements to borrowers, which includes loans for more than 20 water reuse projects. This is an important achievement, emphasizing the on-the-ground work happening nationwide to build sustainable water infrastructure. Since the first disbursement in March 2019, the WIFIA team has processed nearly 900 requests from 97 current WIFIA borrowers. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)
The Bureau of Reclamation Invests Nearly $200 Million in Water Reuse in the Colorado River Basin
In the drought-prone Colorado River Basin, water reuse is a critical water management tool. To support the long-term reliability of water supplies in this region, Reclamation is investing $179 million in the design and construction of a new advanced water purification facility in Phoenix, Arizona. An additional $20.6 million will be awarded to the Washington County Water Conservancy District in southwestern Utah for its regional reuse system. Reclamation anticipates that $130 million in funding for large-scale recycling projects will be made available in the coming weeks.
Apply to the Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program
The EPA is accepting applications for $9.5 million in grant funding for medium and large-size public drinking water systems. This funding supports programs and projects that increase the resilience of public water systems to natural hazards, including water reuse projects. Applications must be submitted by October 6, 2025.
The Water Research Foundation Announces $2.2 Million in Funding for Nine Research Projects, including a Water Reuse Effort
WRF’s Research Priority Program is seeking proposals for nine new projects, including an effort to address pathogen reduction in wastewater treatment — a key water reuse topic. “Developing a Protocol for Evaluating Pathogen Concentrations in Secondary Effluent” (Project 5309) will support research on measuring pathogens in effluent destined for potable and non-potable reuse. Applications must be submitted by October 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (MT).
Looking for something?
This page is updated frequently. If you’re looking for previously posted content that is no longer here (e.g., a past webinar, published report), you may be able to find it in our Water Reuse Information Library or Curated Topical Reuse Resources page. The latest entry on the Topical Resources page spotlights onsite non-potable reuse.
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