EPA Seeking Comment on National Water Reuse Action Plan

EPA Seeking Comment on National Water Reuse Action Plan

U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross (bottom row, second from the left) and administration officials announce the draft National Water Reuse Action Plan at the 34th Annual WateReuse Symposium in San Diego, California.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a draft National Water Reuse Action Plan Sept. 10 at the 34th annual WaterReuse Symposium in San Diego. The EPA is soliciting public input on the draft through a 90-day comment period.

The plan identifies priority actions and the leadership and collaboration that is needed between governmental and nongovernmental organizations to implement water reuse actions. Water reuse represents a major opportunity to support our nation’s communities and economy by bolstering safe and reliable water supplies for human consumption, agriculture, business, industry, recreation and healthy ecosystems.

“Forty states anticipate experiencing fresh water shortages in certain regions within their borders over the next decade,” says EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. “Diversifying our nation’s water portfolio must be a nationwide priority, and water reuse has the potential to ensure the viability of our water economy for generations to come.”

The draft National Water Reuse Action Plan is the first initiative of this magnitude that is coordinated across the water sector. It was built upon extensive outreach, research and prior engagement with the water sector.

The inclusive approach used to develop the draft plan recognizes that meaningful advancement of water reuse is best accomplished by working cooperatively with all water sector stakeholders. The draft plan incorporates federal, state, tribal and local water perspectives and highlights key actions that support consideration and implementation of water reuse. EPA reports that its goal is to issue a final plan that will include clear commitments and milestones for actions that will further water reuse to bolster the sustainability, security and resilience of the nation’s water resources.

“Ensuring reliable water supplies for the future takes a combination of innovation approaches, from advancing critical infrastructure projects to implementing new conservation strategies. Water reuse is an important component of Reclamation’s all-of-the-above model, and we are committed to continuing our investment in water reuse for local communities throughout the West,” says Brenda Burman, commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation.

The EPA seeks to collaborate with all stakeholder groups on this plan and is soliciting public input through a 90-day public comment period. For more information, including opportunities to engage with EPA on this effort, visit https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/water-reuse-action-plan.



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