Archive for the Reuse in the News Category
Recycled Water Gets Legal Footing
In recent years as concerns over water shortages have consistently persisted, Californians have often pinned their hopes on higher levels of rain or snowfall to “to fill the reservoirs and replenish the groundwater basins that serve as the water supply for cities and farms.”[1] This reality has increased awareness and conservation efforts throughout the state; however, many have long felt that conservation, alone, cannot adequately address the water scarcity. Water recycling programs have not been an option, though, “due to a lack of state standards on how to permit on-site water reuse systems.”[2] To address the lacking standards, Senator Scott […]
Santa Monica Paves the Way Toward Sustainability
If you’re looking for a city committed to sustainability, it would be hard to find one more committed than Santa Monica, California. Since 1994 with the adoption of the first Sustainable City Plan, laws and programs enacted must meet the requirements of the city’s goals, with more recent aggressive goals being, “to achieve water self-sufficiency by 2020, zero waste production by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.”[1] Toward that end, “all new construction, residential and commercial, must include rooftop solar systems and be “net zero” energy.”[2] New developments must also meet a “water neutrality ordinance that sets limits for water […]
CA Senator’s Bill Aims to Incentive On-Site Water Reuse
Earlier this month, Senator Wiener announced a new bill, SB 966, intended to expand water recycling throughout the state by developing regulations to encourage on-site water recycling that occurs in individual buildings. The bill is designed to alleviate permitting challenges that has been a struggle due to the lack of state permitting standards.[1] The proposed bill will require the state water board to issue more comprehensive permitting regulations. According to Senator Wiener’s website, local jurisdictions can develop their own permitting process, but the lack of a state permitting standard creates inconsistencies.[2] The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has remained one […]
Washington State Expands Uses for Reclaimed Water
The Washington Department of Ecology has finalized regulations to allow the use of recycled water for non-potable applications such as irrigating crops and controlling dust. The updated regulations represent more than a decade of work to expand the uses of recycled water.[1] “Reclaiming water can help Washington communities prepare for and recover from droughts,” said Ecology Direct Maia Bellon in a public release document. “By expanding options for reclaimed water use, we can help Washington communities use the right water for the right use.”[2] The state Legislature had directed the Department of Ecology in 2006 to create rules that were […]
WaterHub Reclaims 150 Million Gallons
The WaterHub® at Emory University recently reached a milestone by reclaiming 150 million gallons of campus wastewater. Since May of 2015, the WaterHub has mined wastewater from Emory’s sewer system, turning what was once a waste, into highly treated reclaimed water that is used for toilet flushing and process make-up demands at the University utility plants. During its operation, the WaterHub has made a substantial impact on not only the University, but the surrounding community as well. The innovative ecological technologies that drive the decentralized facility provide a real-life example as to what sustainable water and wastewater management look like […]