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.

 

Publications

EPA Authored Journal Article can Help State Regulators set Treatment Targets for Reuse. For the first time, EPA authors published microbial log reduction target (LRT) information for both non-potable and potable applications for two health benchmarks – infection and disability adjusted life years. Using a harmonized approach, the work combines the most current modeling inputs and dose-response parameter values to provide LRTs for untreated municipal wastewater, untreated onsite wastewater, graywater, stormwater and roof runoff water used for potable reuse, indoor nonpotable use and landscape irrigation applications. This Environmental Science & Technology Letters article provides critical science which can be used by policy makers and organizations to implement scientifically defensible microbial treatment targets for a broad range of water reuse applications.

The CDC Publishes a Recycled Water Webpage. The CDC published a new webpage, “Recycled Water for Drinking: An Overview,” on its Drinking Water 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 EPA Publishes Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Project Case Studies, Including Water Reuse. This new site allows users to explore over 200 CWSRF project case studies. The site is filterable by project category, assistance recipient, project name, state and assistance amount. Search ‘water reuse’ to find ten case studies, such as Bartlesville’s Indirect Potable Water Reuse Solution and San Antonio Water System’s Water Recycling Delivery System. (Action 6.2A: Communicate Eligibility of Water Reuse in SRF Programs)

The Water Reuse Consortium (WRC) Premieres the Documentary Series Flowing Forward. In late October, the WRC premiered the first episode of Flowing Forward, a five-part docuseries examining water sustainability. “From Mountaintop to Metropolis: Chasing LA’s Water” examines the origins of Los Angeles’ water supply and explores future solutions to the city’s water scarcity. With a focus on water reuse, the episode investigates new technologies and practices that will shape future water sources in Los Angeles and beyond. (Action 7.10: Implement the Water Reuse Consortium)

The EPA Publishes Final Aquatic Life Benchmarks for Select Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The EPA released national recommended aquatic life criteria and benchmarks for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and eight PFAS under the Clean Water Act. Published as part of the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, these criteria and benchmarks provide information that states and Tribes may consider when adopting water quality standards. These recommended values are based on the most current information about the short-term toxicity of these substances to aquatic organisms.

Infrastructure and Research Funding

Apply to Reclamation’s WaterSMART Environmental Resources Projects 2024. The Bureau of Reclamation is currently accepting applications for its “WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Projects 2024.” The program offers funding for applicants seeking to implement actions that increase water supply reliability through investments in existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Supported efforts include water conservation and efficiency projects, river and watershed restoration projects and water management and infrastructure improvements. Applications must be submitted by March 11, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (MT).

The EPA’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program Celebrates its 20^th Water Reuse Loan. This month, the EPA announced a $268 million WIFIA loan to Hampton Roads Sanitation District, which serves areas across southeast Virginia and the Eastern Shore. This is the third WIFIA loan and part of a $1.3 billion agreement to implement the Sustainable Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow (SWIFT) Program, which will help secure the drinking water supply for 1.9 million residents. The SWIFT Program plans to utilize water reuse and advanced water treatment technologies to replenish the stressed Potomac Aquifer with treated water that meets drinking water standards. This loan marks the WIFIA program’s 20^th closed loan for water reuse projects. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The EPA Announces $3.6 Billion in Funding for Water Infrastructure. In late October, the EPA announced $3.6 billion in new funding under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade water infrastructure. This funding will help communities across the country upgrade water infrastructure that is essential to safely managing wastewater, protecting local freshwater resources and delivering safe drinking water to communities. Funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, which can be used to support certain water reuse projects.

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) Announces Unsolicited Research Program Awards for Water Reuse. WRF recently announced awards for 11 research projects under its Unsolicited Research Program. Among the awardees are five potable reuse projects that will explore topics including chemical control and PFAS treatment in reverse osmosis concentrate. WRF is currently seeking volunteers for the Project Advisory Councils. Learn more here.

DOE Announces a Potential Notice of Funding for Recovery of High Energy-Value Materials from Wastewater. This proposed NOFO would support the development of new technologies to recover high energy-value materials from wastewater to reduce reliance on foreign imports, domestic energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional sourcing and waste stream treatment. To join the Teaming Partner List for this potential NOFO, scientists and engineers from a variety of sectors can submit their contact information here.

State Updates

Illinois General Assembly Repeals Water Reuse Prohibition. Illinois recently repealed its ban on water reuse. House Bill 3046 of the 103rd General Assembly repealed the prohibition on the use of recycled sewage treatment plant effluent, while simultaneously approving revisions to any rules that are necessary to facilitate water reuse in the state. (Action 7.11: Identify Industrial Water Reuse Opportunities in Illinois)

The State of Virginia Approves Rainwater Harvesting Regulations. Virginia approved new regulations that provide standards for rainwater harvesting and reuse. Developed by a group of regional stakeholders and the Virginia Department of Health, the regulations aim to enhance water conservation efforts by outlining standards for both potable and non-potable reuse.

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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.

Links to websites outside of the EPA website are provided for the convenience of the user. Inclusion of information about a website, an organization, a product, or a service does not represent endorsement or approval by EPA, nor does it represent EPA opinion, policy or guidance unless specifically indicated. EPA does not exercise any editorial control over the information that may be found at any non-EPA website.