Potable Reuse in 2023

The consequences of this year's El Niño on heat and precipitation in North America are occurring against the Colorado River Basin's ongoing 20-plus-year megadrought regional water supply challenges across United States. It is no surprise that AWWA's 2023 State Water Industry Report (SOTWI), long-term drinking availability second-highest rated challenge facing sector, with 57% survey participants indicating it as a critical challenge. This fifth straight year has been top three for need sustainable diversified community supplies continues to put spotlight reuse. Indeed, 2050 Sustainability Think Tank (2023) recognized role reuse combination conservation achieve into future. A ago, almost 16% 2022 SOTWI respondents were considering, had begun developing, or fully developed indirect potable (IPR), more than 11% likewise advancing direct (DPR) augmentation strategies. In survey, sector response increased about 50% (IPR, 25%) 100% (DPR, 23%), respectively. part these trends reflect advances state application regulations. REUSExplorer, website maintained by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), tracks Currently EPA identifies 27 states agricultural rules guidelines, only number landscaping (33) policies larger. By comparison, 15 statesa have policies. All history one forms nonpotable While policy often linked state-specific concerns much larger just local supply, most where developed, done so through processes integrated technical operational expertise community. recent example Arizona, which organizing advisory group revise its Florida, Colorado, California rule development used (or using) some form stakeholder engagement process. Today's environment be traceable two National Academy Sciences reports, 1998 Issues Potable Reuse: Viability Augmenting Drinking Supplies With Reclaimed 2012 Reuse Potential Expanding Nation's Supply Through Municipal Wastewater. Research managed supported Foundation predecessor organizations started fill gaps management structure described joint 2015 report (sponsored AWWA, Environment Federation, WateReuse Association, Institute), Framework Direct Reuse. At time writing, taking comments proposed standard. Roughly six years development, proposal, like NAS reports Framework, uses multibarrier approach mitigate known risks reduce potential unrecognized from posing threat public health. Importantly, reflects systems inherent conventional planning treatment but expands robust series barriers given challenging source quality. Recognizing confidence essential success scenarios, regulation also addresses technical, managerial, financial capability operating system. As individual develop their regulatory requirements, there dialogue around what should minimum levels barriers, how extensive assessment control must become, best organize responsibilities quality within interagency agreements, enhance operator training. But if reflecting accurately, we beginning pass inflection point at longer unique addition portfolios, rather an element consider developing plan. aCalifornia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Washington Steve Via director federal relations AWWA Government Affairs Office Washington, D.C.; [email protected]. Erin Messner was, was written, program manager Engineering Technical Services Department, Denver, Colo.