NATIONAL WATER REUSE
ACTION PLAN
Update on Collaborative Progress-Year 3
MARCH 2023
The WRAP collaborative marks its third anniversary with increasing evidence of impact. Since inception it has
grown to more than 60 actions. Many of these efforts are ongoing, while 13 have successfully concluded. All action
outputsnow totaling more than 100are freely accessible online. The development of this robust suite of tools
and resources by WRAP collaborators directly supports the adoption of reuse in communities of all sizes and will
help enhance water resilience both locally and nationwide.
Water reuse is a key climate adaptation tool that can be leveraged to combat flooding and
drought. EPA not only supports the adoption of these innovative solutions but is helping
to make them accessible by developing tools and partnerships with the National Water
Reuse Action Plan.
- EPA Administrator Michael Regan
WRAP YEAR 3 ACTIVITIES ADVANCING POTABLE AND NON-POTABLE WATER REUSE
Now with more than 130 collaborators, the WRAP and its partners are seeing
progress in advancing water reuse capacity across the country. The following
highlights reflect accomplishments over the past year in several key categories
and show forward momentum through new action commitments.
Action Leaders &
Partner Organizations
Resources Developed
Numbers since WRAP launch in 2020
Policy and Regulations
Compiling state regulations to support reuse adoption. The REUSExplorer
now includes nine end-use applications searchable by state, source of water,
and end-use. (Action 3.1. led by EPA and supported by ACWA, AMWA, ASDVVA,
ASTHO, CDPHE, FDA, V/RF. and WateReuse)
Creating a better understanding of how to permit water reuse projects under
the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The
report. Navigating the NPDES Permitting Process for Water Reuse Projects,
presents key information and strategies for permitting authorities and permittees to
better understand how to permit reuse projects. (Action 2.6. output led by EPA, ACWA, NACWA, NMSA, WateReuse, and WEF)
Supporting state regulators through collaborative information exchanges. Multiple state associations hosted two webinars
featuring state perspectives and relevant resources on aquifer storage and recovery/managed aquifer recharge and
direct potable reuse. (Action 2.2. outputs led by GWPC andASDWA)
Recharging groundwater to increase local resilience A recent white paper. Water Recycling for Climate Resilience Through
Enhanced Aquifer Recharge and Aquifer Storage and Recovery, explores technical and policy considerations influencing how
recycled water can be used to recharge groundwater. (Action 7.4. output led by EPA)
% New action: Advance Strategies for Permitting Innovative Wastewater Management Practices and Water Reuse Through the
NPDES Program (Act ion 2..19, led by EPA, UC Berkeley, and Stanford University)
% New action: Highlight Water Reuse Opportunities in the National Pretreatment Program Framework (Action 8.7, led by EPA)
if New action; Support Multi-Stakeholder Alignment to
Advance Reuse Along the U.S.-Mexico Border
(Action 11.4. led by CONAGUA and EPA)
Sign up for EPA's water reuse email updates
to learn about the latest activities and find
opportunities to get engaged.
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Research Funding
Encouraging innovative, cost-competitive water
technologies. NAWI awarded $2.3 million to three reuse
projects that advance energy-efficient, affordable water
supplies and use non-traditional water sources, as well as
$5 million for 11 projects piloting desalination technologies.
(Action 4.6. led by DOE and NAWI)
Supporting the development of an aquifer recharge
implementation tool. Through an EPA STAR grant, the
University of California, Berkeley, was awarded $2 million
to develop a cost-benefit tool to help reduce barriers to
enhanced aquifer recharge implementation.
(Action 7.7. led by EPA)
Addressing national research priorities on water reuse.
EPA awarded $6.4 million to Iowa State University
and WRF for research on reducing technological and
institutional barriers for expanded water reuse across
multiple sources and applications. (Action 10.3. led by EPA)
^ New action: Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Performance and
Potential Risk in Different Regional and Hydrogeological
Settings Research Grant (Action 7.8. led by EPA)
Infrastructure Investment
Compiling federal funding sources for water
infrastructure. This webpage presents federal funding
opportunities that support resilient water infrastructure,
including water reuse projects. (Action 6.1 output led
by EPA, USDA, FEMA, Reclamation, DOE, USAGE, HUD,
and DOT)
Investing in resilient water infrastructure in communities.
EPA awarded more than $450 million in WIFIA funding
to the Helix Water District, the City of Oxnard. the Inland
Empire Utilities Agency, and the City of Boise for projects
that include water reuse elements in 2022. Additionally,
state governments awarded over $300 million in loans for
water reuse projects through Clean Water State Revolving
Funds. (Actions 6.2B and 6.2A. led by EPA)
^ New action: Integrate Water Reuse and Water Security
into FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs (Action 2.14. led by
FEMA and EPA)
^ New action: Develop the Bureau of Reclamation's Large-
Scale Water Recycling and Reuse Funding Opportunity
(Action 6.5. led by Reclamation)
Small Business
Innovation Projects
Research Grants
(STAR & National Priorities)
Water reuse-related grants since WRAP launch in 2020
WIFIA &SRF
Infrastructure Investments
Title XVI Program Funding
for Water Reuse Projects
2022 federal investments in water reuse infrastructure
Engagement, Communications, and Education
Developing educational materials to reduce pharmaceuticals in wastewater. Recent Flush3P.org website updates and two new
fact sheets inform the public about keeping pharmaceuticals out of water for downstream end-uses. (Action 2.9. led by LACSD,
AWWA, AMWA, NACWA, NSAC, FDA, EPA, and WateReuse)
Promoting reuse within disaster recovery financial assistance programs. FEMA and EPA created a webinar series to inform
borrowers about hazard mitigation tools, which include water reuse. (Action 2.14. led by FEMA and EPA)
Helping communities understand the importance of cross-agency collaboration on water reuse. The report. Multi-Agency
Water Reuse Programs: Lessons for Successful Collaboration, offers a framework for considering the dynamics and value
of interagency collaboration on water reuse projects. (Action 2.16. output led by Stanford University, Envirospectives, EPA,
WaterReuse, and Pacific Institute)
Engaging the medical community to address critical questions. Bulletin Magazine's special issue. "Water & Health: The Coming
Water Crisis and What We Can Do About It," helps answer critical questions that doctors and their patients have about water
quality and water reuse. (Action 8.6. output led by Valley Water, EPA, SCCMA, and Envirospectives)
Sharing training resources on water reuse and advanced water treatment. This compilation of water reuse training
opportunities includes links to key training courses in the U.S. and abroad. (Action 9.2. output led by AWWA and EPA)
^ New action: Incorporate Water Reuse Technology Resources into the Searchable Clearinghouse of Wastewater Technology
(SCOWT) Platform (Action 4.9. led by EPA)
^ New action: Develop a Dashboard That Reflects Water Usage to Help Evaluate the Life Cycle Impacts of Materials
(Action 5.6. led by EPA)
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Industrial Reuse
Understanding available produced water
research and policies. The document Assessing
Regulatory Programs and Their Fit for Produced Water Reuse
Applications: Land summarizes produced water research
on land application; exposure scenarios; and potentially
applicable guidelines, regulations, and laws.
(Action 3.8. output led by EDF)
Celebrating water stewards in the business sector. The new
Industrial Water Reuse Champions Award will recognize
Fortune 1000 companies incorporating the best-in-class
water reuse programs. (Action 8.4. led by U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, Veolia, WateReuse, and UPenn Water Center)
^ New action: Identify Opportunities to Implement Water
Reuse Within the Beverage Industry (Action 5,7. led by GHD)
Onsite Nori-Potable Reuse
inspiring onsite non-potable reuse for
community resilience. The e-book Onsite
Water Recycling: An Innovative Approach to
Solving an Old Problem encourages the use
of these treatment systems for long-term water resilience
planning. Additionally, the Guidebook for Commissioning
an Onsite Water Treatment System provides information
for stakeholders involved in onsite treatment operations.
(Action 3.4. outputs led by NBRC for ONWS)
Helping small businesses develop innovative onsite reuse
technologies. EPA's SBIR program awarded $200.000 to
two small businesses to develop technologies for onsite
non-potable reuse. (Action 7,5. led by EPA)
^ New action: Develop an NSF Protocol for Deployable
Greywater Reuse Systems in Military Operations
(Action 4.8. led by APHC)
New Water Reuse Resource Hub
A recently launched online Resource Hub includes end-use-
specific materials to help communities seeking to initiate
and implement water reuse. It contains state policies and
regulations, webinars, publications, and other resources,
many of which were created through WRAP actions.
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Stormwater Capture and Use
Prioritizing action on urban stormwater capture
and use. The Pure Potential: The Case for
Stormwater Capture and Use report identifies actions to
accelerate the implementation of stormwater capture and
use in urban areas. (Action 3.3. output led by EPA, JFW,
NMSA, ReNUWIt, WateReuse, WEF, ACWA, and AM WA)
Illustrating integration of stormwater capture and use in
urban settings. Two infographics, covering reuse at the
building and communit scales, can help practitioners
garner support for new projects by explaining how
stormwater can help meet different water quality and
supply goals. (Action 3.3. output led by EPA)
New action: Evaluate the Potential of Urban Stormwater
Capture and Use in Colorado (Action 5.8. led by
Pacific Institute)
Agricultural Reuse
Uncovering new opportunities for agricultural
reuse. The t re WAG conference brought top
reuse experts together to focus on potential
risks of using treated wastewater in agriculture and identify
new opportunities for expanding agricultural reuse; a
white paper based on technical roundtable discussions is
forthcoming. (Action 16. led by Pacific Institute, EPA, FDA,
University of Arizona, USDA, and Volcani Institute)
Supporting infrastructure for water conservation, reuse,
and drought resilience USDA's EQUIP program made $25
million in funding available for WaterSMART investments.
A project funded in Tulare County, California, will save
11,660 acre-feet of water on 230 farms by using treated
wastewater effluent to augment groundwater supplies.
(Action 2.12. led by USDA)
Assessing low-input solutions for treating irrigation water.
The report Cotton Gin Waste and Walnut Shells Derived
Biochar for the Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Humic Acids
from Aqueous Solutions evaluates pharmaceutical residue
removal efficiencies for reuse of treated wastewater in
irrigation. (Action 4.7. output led by USDA and Penn State)
New action: Address Barriers to Water Reuse in Agriculture
Through Improved Communication and Partnerships
(Action 1.6. led by Pacific Institute, EPA, FDA, USDA,
University of Arizona, and Volcani Institute)
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
U.S. - Israel Exchange on Water Reuse
The WRAP'S emphasis on knowledge sharing is exemplified by recent international
exchanges on water reuse experiences and best practices. A delegation of 39
representatives from the U.S. water sector (pictured right) traveled to Israel in fall
2022 as part of a science, technology, and policy information exchange focused on
agricultural water reuse practices as part of Action 11.1. U.S. and Israeli water sector
leaders discussed reuse strategies for U.S. communities in a recent webinar. and a
summary report captures key takeaways from the trip.
Photo: Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry
Photo: Bradley DeCoutho
Immediately following the trip to Israel, EPA Administrator Michael Regan joined Israel's Environment
Minister Tamar Zandberg at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (pictured left) to highlight water reuse
as a key climate adaptation strategy. During the session, Administrator Regan communicated EPA's
commitment to international collaboration, including the development of tools and partnerships, as
part of the WRAP.
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RENEWED COMMITMENT TO RESILIENT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Federal investments in water infrastructure have reached unprecedented levels with the passage of the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law (BIL.) and the Inflation Reduction Act. These acts and investments can provide significant support to
communities seeking climate-resilient water strategies to address stressors ranging from water quality to drought.
The government's focus on resilient management approaches is reinforced by the formal establishment of a federal Water
Reuse Interagency Working Group in May 2022. Under the BIL, this group is tasked to "develop and coordinate actions, tools,
and resources to advance water reuse across the United States, including through the implementation of the [WRAP]."
CELEBRATING RECENTLY COMPLETED WRAP ACTIONS
Congratulations to the eight WRAP teams that successfully completed actions during the past year! Thank you for your
leadership, collaboration, and dedication to creating a secure water future for all.
Align Tools to Promote Best Management of Unused/Expired Pharmaceuticals (Action 2.9. led by LACSD)
* Support Local and Regional Reuse Projects by Identifying Challenges, Opportunities, and Models for Interagency
Collaboration (Action 2.16. led by Envirospectives, WateReuse, and EPA)
Propose U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit Addressing Reuse (Action 2.17. led by USACF)
Convene Experts to Address Opportunities and Challenges Related to Urban Stormwater Capture and Use (Action 3.3. led by
EPA, JEW, NMSA, ReNUV/lt. WateReuse, and WEE}
Support Water Reuse Through the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Security Grand Challenge (Action 4.3. led by DOE)
Compile Existing Federal Sources for Water Reuse and Develop an Interagency Decision Support Tool (Action 6.1 led by EPA)
* Clarify and Communicate the Eligibility of Water Reuse Under the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
Programs (Action 6.2A. led by EPA)
* Coordinate and Promote Water Reuse Technology in Federal Small Business Innovation Research
Programs (Action 7.5. led by EPA)
KEY RESOURCES
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WRAP Online Platform with action information: icc
https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/wraporiline NPS
SAWS
Volcani
Information library compiling WRAP outputs:
https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/water-reuse-information-librarv EDF I MoEl
Water Reuse Resource Hub with materials by end use: .. 5.?!" I1?,1.",.
¦ NGWA I NMSU
https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/hub WSWC I NACWA
REUSExplorer tool with state policies and regulations: waTH AMWA^^iTd
https://www.epa.gov/reusexplorer Reclamation | MoEP | FDA
» Recent and upcoming activities: Wright Water Engineers TTU
https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/recent-and-upcoming-water-reuse-activities DN ancles HE S^ECOS
IWA II USAID I ASTHO I CESPM II Purdue
GWPC I MWD I BIER II DOT | CILA I USGS I IWMI
U.S. Water Alliance j SBIR Programs j RTOCs
FEMA Water Innovation Services i WW SCCWRP
One Water Econ \ Valley Water JCI I USWP NSU
NTWC | Groundwork USA | DOD WTA || AWWA || SRE
Rice University II NYC DEP | NREL | EPA II USACE I SWAN DOI
Conagua WRF ! SEPROA NTC I NSF I Penn State I CWCB
USGBC NorthwestBiosolids I EPRI 1 University of California
NAWII TrusselTechnologies I USDA I Austin Water Utilities I CDC
WEF I NeoTech Aqua [I CIFA I Cambrian Innovation I CSO I Tyson
GSA 1 Pacific Institute 1 GreenBiz Group I CDPHE I DOS I CESPT
Stantec [ UWFP i ASHRAE 1IBWC | The World Bank i ACWA
Veolia Jacobs ( Columbia Water Center j NADB { L.ADWP
The growing WRAP collaborative is NRWa j RCAP I ORNL ! JFW Wahaso | DOE ! NM-PWRC
helping to build capacity for water LACSD || IAPMO | Design Aire PepsiCo, Inc | CDM Smith
reuse. Action leaders and partners Embassy of Israel IAPHC | GCCII NMSA ASDWA IIISPE
that have joined since February 2022 NBRC for ONWS I WateReuse I NWRI | ReNUWIt
EPA-822-S-23-002 are notec^ln bold italics UPenn Water Center IXylem
University of Arizona
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