National Water Reuse Action Plan Completed Action Action 6.2B Continue to Actively Support and Communicate the Eligibility of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Funding for Water Reuse « N Background The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program accelerates investment in our nation's water and wastewater infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost, supplemental credit assistance under customized terms to creditworthy water and wastewater projects of national and regional significance. Financial constraints are frequently cited as a challenge for implementing infrastructure improvements, including water reuse, and WIFIA seeks to provide financing for large projects. The WIFIA statute explicitly lists water recycling projects as eligible for WIFIA financing, and it is important to ensure that water reuse is explicitly included in WIFIA program implementation materials as eligible for funding. This can help make sure that prospective borrowers are fully aware of the available project options for using WIFIA financing and that the WIFIA program is able to identify and support beneficial Accomplishments Through the implementation of this action, the two intended outcomes of demonstrating the eligibility of water reuse projects in the WIFIA program and identifying water reuse projects that have been financed by WIFIA were achieved. To demonstrate the eligibility of water reuse projects, a comprehensive list of WIFIA materials explaining eligibilities was developed (Milestone 3) Examples of water reuse projects financed by WIFIA loans were integrated into presentations at conferences, WIFIA information sessions and webinars WIFIA Past Webinars: https://www.epa.QOv/wifia/wifia-past- webinars July 30, 2019. WIFIA Program: Arizona Water Reuse Symposium, Flagstaff, Arizona: https://watereuse.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/09/A1.7- Dorfman 07.30.2019-Arizona-Water- Reuse.pdf The level of support for water reuse projects is captured in the WIFIA Reuse Project list (Milestone 1 - last updated 4/5/2021) Action Team Action Leader U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Karen Fligger (fliQaer.karen@epa.gov') - For additional information, the WIFIA program can be contacted at wifia@epa.gov projects. Groundbreaking Ceremony for Pure Water Oceanside National Water Reuse Action Plan Completed Action 1 Action 6.2B ------- Action Impact Highlighting the eligibility of water reuse projects in WIFIA is simple way to help address funding challenges that communities face in implementing water reuse. By ensuring that potential borrowers are well-informed about the project eligibilities, communities can have greater flexibility in pursuing water infrastructure improvements that meet their specific needs. As of March 2021, 46 WIFIA loans have closed providing approximately $9 billion in credit assistance to help finance $19 billion for water infrastructure projects, which are expected to create 47,000 jobs. Of these closed loans, over $1 billion in credit assistance have been issued for seven water reuse projects. Hampton Roads Sanitation District's Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT') project in Virginia Beach, Virginia - $225 million Soauel Creek Water District's Pure Water Soauel project in Soquel, California - $88.9 million Citv of Oceanside's Pure Water Oceanside and lower recycled water distribution system expansion project in Oceanside, California - $69.1 million Orange County Water District's Fountain Vallev groundwater replenishment expansion project in Fountain Valley, California - $135 million City of San Diego's Pure Water San Diego project in San Diego, California - $614 million Citv of Morro Bay's Morro Bav Water Reclamation Facility project in Morro Bay, California - $61.7 million Action Implementation Process Integrate examples of water reuse projects financed by WIFIA into presentations at conferences, WIFIA information sessions, and webinars. Identify/scan all existing WIFIA materials to understand where water reuse eligibility is described. Revise WIFIA materials to clarify the eligibility of reuse and capture projects, as needed. Dependent on the assessment findings in milestone #3. Future Activity In a January 2021 press release. EPA invited 55 new projects to apply for WIFIA loans, including four water reuse projects. These projects are expected to provide water infrastructure upgrades for 30 million Americans while creating over 40,000 jobs. As formal applications are submitted for these projects, as well as water reuse projects that were previously invited to apply, the WIFIA program will continue to award loans for water reuse projects. WIFIA and the Water Reuse Team will continue to collaborate to identify opportunities to support water reuse and highlight success stories. Additional Resources Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA): https://www.epa.gov/wifia WRAP Action 6.1 Compile Existing Federal Funding Sources for Water Reuse and Develop an Interagency Decision Support Tool WRAP Action 6.2A Clarify and Communicate the Eligibility of Water Reuse Under the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs National Water Reuse Action Plan Completed Action Action 6.2B 2 ------- |