Recent and Upcoming Water Reuse Activities
On this page:
- Upcoming Reuse Activities and Events
- Recent Releases
- Water Reuse Funding Opportunities and Announcements
- In Case You Missed It
Recent Releases
This update includes an opening message from Jess Kramer, the EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water, and provides an overview of the 27 new WRAP actions that were announced during the WRAP 2.0 event. It also shares summaries of seven completed WRAP actions and highlights recent WRAP action outputs and activities. (Action 10.3: Facilitate Implementation of the Water Reuse Action Plan)
In this webinar, EPA Water Reuse Program team members discussed the Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0 initiative, highlighting the EPA’s priorities to advance water reuse in key industrial sectors, such as manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence. Presenters also demonstrated use of the REUSExplorer—the EPA’s searchable tool for navigating summaries of state reuse regulations and guidelines. Additionally, the webinar provided insight into the EPA’s 2025 Risk-Based Framework for Developing Microbial Treatment Targets document, which is intended to help states identify pathogen treatment targets for different water reuse scenarios.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) developed the circular water economy initiative to promote approaching water as a renewable resource by using advanced technologies, reducing pollution and closing water loops within industrial, agricultural and municipal systems. Circular Water Economy 101: Closing the Loop discusses the circular water economy, and water reuse’s role in it, through the initiative’s three core strategies: Reduce, Recover and Regenerate. (Action 4.11: Accelerate the Circular Water Economy Through Innovation)
WEF Publishes Water Reuse White Paper to Support Water Reuse Rulemaking for the Great Lakes and MSRB
This white paper aims to accelerate a water reuse rulemaking in the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin (MSRB) states by providing key background information for stakeholders, including regulators. This publication discusses rulemaking approaches in other states to provide practical guidance for advancing water reuse in the Great Lakes and MSRB region. (Action 2.20: Identify Water Reuse Opportunities in the Mississippi River Basin States)
This white paper discusses opportunities for leveraging stormwater to transition towards a circular water economy. By capturing stormwater for beneficial uses such as aquifer recharge, communities can harness the value of stormwater and enhance the reliability of their water systems. (Action 4.11: Accelerate the Circular Water Economy Through Innovation)
The State Revolving Funds provide low-cost loans and other financial assistance to communities for a wide range of water infrastructure projects, including water reuse projects. The EPA convened a roundtable on water infrastructure programs, including the State Revolving Funds, to identify and address challenges in program implementation that can result in delays in vital drinking water, wastewater and stormwater projects. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer was joined by states, water associations, technical assistance providers and representatives from small communities to identify real actions that will be taken to ensure that infrastructure funding is invested efficiently and effectively to benefit Americans through stronger water infrastructure. (Action 6.2A: Communicate Eligibility of Water Reuse in SRF Programs)
DC Water celebrated the groundbreaking of the Pure Water DC Discovery Center at the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility. This facility will explore methods to enhance the reliability of Washington, D.C.’s water supplies, including water recycling. DC Water anticipates opening the center to the public in 2027. (Action 1.7: Increase the Water Supply Resilience of the Nation’s Capital through Water Reuse)
Produced water, generated by oil and gas production operations, can be treated and reused for irrigation, dust suppression and other useful applications. A recent webinar from the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium’s monthly series explored how environmental risk assessment and toxicology principles can be used to systematically evaluate produced water hazards. (Action 4.2: Implement New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium)
Reclamation and several major water agencies in California, Nevada and Arizona signed an agreement to explore how desalination and water recycling can be implemented across the Colorado River Basin. The Memorandum of Understanding launches a collaborative effort that facilitates interstate cooperation and strengthens water supply reliability through reuse.
Watch the EPA and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Highlight how Critical Water Reuse is for Sporting Events
Reliable water infrastructure makes major sporting events possible. In this 16-minute segment, the EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water, Jess Kramer, and the U.S. Chamber discussed how water reuse underpins the operations of several major stadiums across the U.S., such as Levi’s Stadium and SoFi Stadium.
Water Reuse Funding Awards and Opportunities
Apply to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects
Reclamation is accepting applications for its Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects program, which supports the planning, design and construction of water reclamation and reuse projects. Funding is available for projects that leverage water reuse as a strategy to develop and supplement drought-resistant urban and irrigation water supplies. Applications must be submitted by August 26, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. (MT). Reclamation will host an informational webinar on June 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (MT). Learn more about the webinar here.
WRF and California SWB Announce $1.5 Million in Available Grants for Water Reuse Projects
The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is seeking proposals for seven new water reuse projects. The projects, supported by grant funding from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWB), will bolster the adoption of water reuse in California by evaluating treatment technologies, exploring pathogen reduction and more. Learn more about the projects and apply here. Applications must be submitted by September 2, 2026, at 3:00 PM (MT).
Apply to the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects
Reclamation’s WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects program provides funding for collaboratively-developed water resource management efforts, including water reuse projects. Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. (MT). Reclamation will host an informational webinar on June 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (MT). Learn more about the webinar here.
The Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) is providing funding for the development of produced water treatment technologies. Produced water management is prioritized under Topic Area 2: Advanced Field-Testing of Multi-Scale Produced Water Treatment Technologies & Processes. Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2026.
This RFI seeks input to guide NAWI’s Regional Water Solutions (RWS) initiative and inform a forthcoming RFP. NAWI aims to understand water planners’ and utilities’ decision‑making processes, evaluate current planning tools, gather regional perspectives on non‑traditional water sources, and identify conditions and metrics that define successful program impact.
The RFI invites feedback from state and local governments, industrial water users, consulting engineers, researchers, and other stakeholders on key challenges, opportunities, and needs that shape water treatment technology adoption and water supply resilience. Responses to the RFI must be received by Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. For more details and information on how to respond, read the full RFI. (Action 4.10: Advance Reuse and Desalination Technologies through the Second Phase of NAWI)
NAWI has issued an RFP to accelerate the development and demonstration of affordable, innovative, onsite water-reuse systems and improve the safety, security, and affordability of America’s water supply. This $12 million RFP targets three high-priority, non-traditional water sources at U.S. industrial sites: cooling water, process and rinse water, and wastewater treatment effluent. Interested applicants must submit a concept paper by Sept. 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT to be eligible to submit a full proposal. Full proposals are due by Nov. 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. View additional information on the RFP. (Action 4.10: Advance Reuse and Desalination Technologies through the Second Phase of NAWI)
The projects, funded by a $1.5 million grant from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), invite research on key potable and non-potable water reuse topics, including validation methods for treatment technologies. The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is accepting applications. Learn more about the grants here.
In Case You Missed It
Rainwater harvesting can reduce stormwater runoff, supplement non-potable water supplies and strengthen community water resilience. ARCSA International, formerly known as the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, published a white paper titled “Breaking the Barriers: Advancing Rainwater Harvesting Adoption in the United States.” This document discusses why rainwater harvesting remains an underutilized water resource and explores potential solutions to expand its adoption, including policy alignment, research and workforce development. (Action 5.9: Raise Awareness of Onsite Rainwater and Stormwater Opportunities)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Water Recycling Factsheet provides an overview of engineering conservation practices that support agricultural water reuse. These practices may address surface and groundwater depletion concerns when properly planned, designed, implemented, operated and maintained. (Action 2.12: Leverage Existing USDA Programs for Consideration of Agricultural Water Reuse)
Earlier this year, Grundfos, Black & Veatch, and WaterReuse partnered to release a white paper on Accelerating Industrial Reuse: Quantifying the Impact, Technology and Policies Needed in the U.S. The paper outlined the challenges contributing to water stress across the country and anticipated water demand for different industrial sectors. It identified opportunities for efficiency and reuse to reduce water demand across the different sectors and included four case studies to show how companies are successfully implementing reuse strategies to stretch water supplies. EPA’s Water Reuse program is eager to identify other good examples to feature as case studies through the WRAP 2.0. Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if you would like to share your examples of success.
The Department of Energy requested white papers from national laboratories to help inform future priorities, catalyze cross-sector collaboration and facilitate the deployment of solutions in energy-water. The white papers discuss a variety of water management and innovation topics, including water reuse. Explore a few of the resources that follow!
From Modeling to Testbeds: Taking an Expanded Look at Wastewater Reuse analyzes the feasibility of implementing water reuse across a variety of scenarios.
Water Reuse Energy Demands and Water Quality Metrics explores water reuse as a conservation strategy at energy production facilities.
Energy-Enabled Decentralized Treatment of Brackish Water Sources for Agricultural Irrigation discusses treatment options for on-site agriculture reuse of brackish water.
Semiconductor Industry Waste Valorization for Recovery of Gallium examines the role of water reuse and reclamation technologies in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
Water Availability for Cooling Systems: Assessing Demands, Constraints, and Alternative Sources for Thermoelectric Plants and Data Centers discusses how water reuse and reclamation can support thermoelectric power plant and data center operations.
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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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