Last week, eight water, wastewater and public works organizations urged the Bureau of Reclamation to use a portion of newly received drought response funds to invest in water reuse activities.
The groups backing the investment are: WateReuse Association; National Association Clean Water Agencies; American Public Works Association; National Association of Water Companies; Water Environment Federation; Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies; American Water Works Association; and Association of California Water Agencies.
Under the fiscal year 2016 omnibus appropriations legislation approved by Congress and signed into law last month, the Bureau will receive an additional $100 million to address the ongoing Western drought. A?letter?from the organizations asked the Bureau ?to utilize a portion [of these funds] in support of water reuse research and infrastructure.?
The letter went on to cite studies on the cost-effectiveness of water reuse projects and reported that ?92 agencies in 14 states across the county are developing recycled water projects that will provide over 900,000 acre-ft of additional water supply.?? The groups also said investment in water reuse ?will have a direct, immediate, and large impact on extending limited water supplies during current drought conditions.?
Congress directed the Bureau of Reclamation to announce by early February how it plans to distribute the additional drought response funds.
