Recent and Upcoming Water Reuse Activities

Announcements, Publications and Activities

The ReWater Center Publishes Reports on Onsite Water Systems and Chemicals in Potable Reuse
The latest issues of the Potable Water Reuse Report explore key water reuse topics. Onsite Water Systems: An Expanding Reuse Paradigm discusses the expansion of onsite water reuse across the U.S., including drivers and challenges for implementing these systems. The report also highlights possible solutions to these barriers, such as clear permitting frameworks. Chemicals in Potable Reuse: Prioritizing and Controlling a Wide Universe of Compounds reviews approaches to identifying and addressing chemicals of concern. Sign up to receive these reports! (Action 7.10: Implement the DoD-funded Water Reuse Consortium for Water Resiliency at Military and Municipal Facilities)

Watch Recordings of Webinars on Produced Water Pretreatment Technologies and Biological Effects
Produced water, generated by oil and gas production operations, can be treated and reused for irrigation, dust suppression and other useful applications. Recent webinars from the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium’s monthly series explored the results of pilot testing for produced water pretreatment systems and the biological effects of produced water from the Permian Basin. (Action 4.2: Implement New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium)

New Infographic on Recycled Water Treatment
This new infographic on EPA’s Water Reuse website illustrates an example of how utilities make recycled water safe to drink. It portrays the removal of trash and particles, harmful chemicals, and pathogens through wastewater treatment, advanced treatment and drinking water treatment. (Action 8.6: Develop Water Reuse Communication Tools)

The U.S. Department of Energy Publishes Two Water Reuse White Papers
The Department of Energy’s new series of Energy-Water Resilience white papers discuss a variety of water management and innovation topics, including water reuse. From Modeling to Testbeds: Taking an Expanded Look at Wastewater Reuse analyzes the feasibility of implementing water reuse across a variety of scenarios, while Water Reuse Energy Demands and Water Quality Metrics explores water reuse as a conservation strategy at energy production facilities.

University of California, Berkeley School of Law Releases Policy Report on Data Center Water Use
The article Regulating Data Center Water Use in California analyzes data center water usage and California policy to develop water management recommendations for this rapidly growing industry. The report identifies key takeaways and recommended actions to ensure enduring reliability of water resources within California and across the U.S., including reuse as a strategy to reduce freshwater use.

Veolia, WEF and AWWA Launch Free Water Workforce Training Platform
Veolia Workforce Academy North America offers free digital training for personnel in the water and wastewater sectors. This resource, developed in partnership with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and American Water Works Association (AWWA), intends to bolster the water workforce by increasing access to crucial training materials.

Water Reuse Funding Awards and Opportunities

The EPA Announces $7 Billion in Newly Available WIFIA Funding
In November, the EPA announced $6.5 billion in Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding available for water systems, with an additional $550 million available to states. For this new round of funding, the EPA has identified water reuse as an eligible activity under priority area D—Supporting Water Sector Innovation. The EPA is prioritizing projects that incorporate new or innovative technology, which can play a significant role in helping states, tribes, and communities ensure the provision of clean, safe, and reliable water supplies. In particular, water reuse technology solves a variety of water challenges, such as expanding water resources to support economic development (e.g., artificial intelligence data centers) and alleviating the effects of drought. Learn more about available funding and the application process in the notice of funding availability and at monthly WIFIA Office Hours. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The EPA Approves New WIFIA Loans, Including $347 Million for Water Reuse
The EPA approved five new WIFIA loans that will invest in critical water infrastructure projects, including a water reuse effort in Fort Worth, Texas. This $347 million loan will be used to upgrade wastewater collection and treatment to support beneficial water reuse. The city will design and construct a water reclamation facility to meet the needs of its growing population while treating wastewater to be reused for industrial and irrigation purposes. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

The Environmental Finance Center Network Hosts a Webinar on WIFIA and SRF Financing
The WIFIA and State Revolving Funds (SRF) programs help fund water infrastructure projects across the nation, including water reuse efforts. This webinar, Better Together: How WIFIA and SRFs Can Power Your Water Infrastructure Projects, discussed how these programs can work together to help communities address critical water challenges.

Apply to the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART: Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects Grant Opportunity
Reclamation is accepting applications for its Large-Scale Water Recycling program, which provides cost-sharing for water reuse projects exceeding $500 million. Funding is available for the planning, design and construction of projects that leverage water recycling as a strategy to develop drought-resistant water supplies. Applications must be submitted by May 13, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (MT). (Action 6.5: Develop Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Reuse Funding Opportunity)

Apply to the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response Program Grant Opportunity
Reclamation’s WaterSMART Drought Response program provides a framework for federal and state cooperation to help secure water supplies for future generations. This program offers funding for projects that aim to increase the reliability of water supplies through developing water management strategies, including water reuse, and drought contingency plans. Applications must be submitted by July 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (MT). 

Apply to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects Grant Opportunity
Reclamation’s Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects program provides funding to implement projects that enhance water efficiency and conservation. Applications must be submitted by June 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. (MT).

The Water Research Foundation has Issued a Request for Qualifications for Two Water Reuse Projects
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking proposals for two projects related to water reuse adoption. Expanding the Future of Water Reuse: Incentive Alignment and Governance Strategies in Geographic Regions with Stable Water Supplies (RFQ 5390) will involve assessing the factors that drive communities to implement water reuse to develop strategies for stakeholder cooperation. Collaborative Water and Wastewater Utility Forum on Data Centers (RFQ 5391) will convene a forum for utility operators across the nation to discuss the impacts of data center operations on the water sector. Proposals must be submitted by April 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. (MT).

Apply to FEMA’s Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program provides funding for infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation activities, including water reuse projects for drought mitigation. One billion dollars are available for the Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 Funding Opportunity. Applications must be submitted by July 23, 2026. (Action 2.14: Integrate Water Reuse into FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs)

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This page is updated frequently. If you’re looking for previously posted content that is no longer here (e.g., a past webinar, published report), you may be able to find it in our Water Reuse Information Library or Curated Topical Reuse Resources page. The latest entry on the Topical Resources page spotlights onsite non-potable reuse.

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