The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently held a meeting to identify challenges and map out solutions that will continue to advance the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). With the plan being rolled out earlier this year, this meeting helped lay the groundwork for continued efforts towards ensuring the security, sustainability, and resilience of the nation’s water resources. With 37 specific actions led by an array of federal, state, local, and other water sector interests, the collaborative interaction has been vital to the plan’s success.
“Water reuse must be a central theme in EPA’s efforts to meet 21st century demands for water,”[1] said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross. “While we are extremely proud of the progress made, the WRAP was designed as a living plan where EPA and its partners can build momentum from successes to continue diversifying our nation’s water portfolio while supporting our water economy for generations to come.”
The live interactive session focused on envisioning the future of water reuse where communities, agriculture, and businesses in both water-scarce and water-rich regions increasingly turn to reuse to diversify their supply portfolios for current and future needs. The panel of reuse leaders and stakeholders included New York City Department of Environmental Protection senior policy advisor to the Bureau of Sustainability Dr. David Lipsky; Austin Water Systems planning engineer Katherine Jashinski; and Coca-Cola North America supply chain water/wastewater technology manager Paul Bowen. Their discussion centralized around reuse through the lens of a water-scarce community, a water-abundant community, and an industrial customer. Over the next few months, the EPA will be seeking input from additional water stakeholders that will help inform the next iteration of the Action Plan, which is slated for release in Spring 2021. The next version will highlight progress on individual actions, demonstrate collective impact and onboard a new suite of actions to continue to advance water reuse considerations.
[1] EPA seeking input for national Water Reuse Action Plan. (2020, September 16). Water Technology. https://www.watertechonline.com/water-reuse/article/14183586/epa-seeking-input-for-national-water-reuse-action-plan
Photo Credit: Shutterstock