National Water Reuse Action Plan Announced at WateReuse Symposium
The 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium was held on September 8 – 11, 2019 in San Diego, CA. Geared for anyone involved with water reuse issues, the symposium included “a robust collection of concurrent sessions covering key policy, technology, operational, and research issues (as well as) plenary sessions exploring the broader policy and planning issues that will shape the future.”
One highlight of the program was the unveiling of the new National Water Reuse Action. As stated on the EPA webpage:
On September 10, 2019, at the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California, EPA announced the release of a draft National Water Reuse Action Plan for public comment. This draft Action Plan seeks to foster greater consideration of water reuse across the water sector, such as agriculture, industry, potable water, national security, environmental restoration, and more. Safe and reliable water supplies for human consumption, agriculture, business, industry, recreation, and healthy ecosystems are critical to our nation’s communities and economy. Water reuse can improve the security, sustainability, and resilience of our nation’s water resources, especially when considered at the watershed or basin scale, through integrated and collaborative water- resource planning.
To learn more and/or read the draft National Water Reuse Action Plan, visit the EPA's Water Reuse Action Plan webpage.
With the grand challenges and opportunities provided by water reuse at the forefront of discussions, attendees focused on this year’s theme, “Collaborate to Innovate,” hearing about collaborations among utilities, farmers, and industry; regulators working together at both state and federal levels; public/private partnerships; and, for the first time, the latest in reuse research led by The Water Research Foundation.
Attendees of the Symposium also spent time forging their own connections and partnerships to move ahead with projects and initiatives. WEST was part of the energy, representing the importance of strong research and academic/public/private partnerships in the water reuse story.
