Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0: Summer Update

On this page:

• A message from Jess Kramer, U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water
• WRAP 2.0 Actions
• Completed WRAP Actions
• Recent WRAP Action Outputs and Activities
• PDF Versions of WRAP Quarterly Updates

Wrap Summer Update: January–May 2026

A message from Jess Kramer, U.S. EPA Assistant Administrator for Water

It is a critical time for water. Our nation’s water needs are evolving rapidly: communities’ needs are changing, manufacturing is expanding, AI and data centers are surging, energy production is growing, and new economic opportunities are emerging. In this dynamic context, water reuse has never been more important as a strategy to extend our nation’s water resources.

In April, I joined Administrator Zeldin to announce our relaunch of the Water Reuse Plan, or “WRAP 2.0.” This renewed initiative builds on the foundation that was established six years ago by the first-ever nationwide framework for advancing water reuse. It will unleash the power of water reuse and American ingenuity to grow our economy, while supporting public health and strengthening water resources.

We intend to bring a fresh focus and cultivate new collaborative partnerships to capitalize on innovative opportunities to emphasize water reuse for industry. This update provides an overview of the 27 new actions we announced with the launch. I’m excited to get started to better understand the challenges and opportunities for industrial water reuse. In June, we participated in a roundtable with more than 20 industry representatives at the Industrial Water Solutions conference in Chicago, and we came away with ideas for several new potential actions.

In future quarterly updates, we will highlight leadership efforts, announce new WRAP commitments, and call for additional actions to accelerate water reuse over the next decade. Join us as we embark on this collaborative effort. I encourage you to share this update with others in your network as we look to build the community advancing water reuse.

Stay in the Loop

The EPA’s Recent and Upcoming Water Reuse Activities web page highlights relevant water reuse activities and events.

Abbreviations are defined at the end of this webpage. See the Online Platform for more information about each action.

WRAP 2.0 Actions

WRAP actions seek to advance water reuse planning and implementation across the country. Actions are organized around key initiatives of WRAP 2.0 to help focus efforts and inspire future action. Twenty-seven actions were announced as part of WRAP 2.0 in April 2026 and are now underway. To get involved or provide input, please email the action leaders using contact information from the Online Platform.

Commitments to Support Reuse for Resurgent Domestic Industry

	Develop Pathways to Support States in Permitting Water Reuse for the Food and Beverage Sector (Action 3.11, led by EPA) The EPA plans to apply a risk-based approach to novel sources of water, setting practical treatment targets to support the expansion of recycled water use by America-based food and beverage companies.
	Collaborate with Tyson Foods to Demonstrate the Potential of Recycling Protein-Processing Water for Potable-Quality Uses Onsite (Action 3.12, led by Tyson Foods and EPA) Tyson Foods is interested in reducing its water footprint by recycling its protein-processing water for additional food processing needs. Together with the EPA and USDA, Tyson plans to conduct a pilot project to demonstrate the potable quality of the treated protein-processing water.
	Advance Water Reuse and Desalination Technologies Through the Second Phase of the National Alliance for Water Innovation (Action 4.10, led by NAWI and DOE) Building on its first phase, NAWI continues to lower the cost and energy consumption of water purification technologies and of treating water from alternative sources, including industrial and onsite sources, to make it more fit for purpose.
	Establishing Validation and Monitoring Protocols for Water Reuse Treatment Technologies to Support Efficient Project Permitting (Action 4.12, led by EPA) The EPA plans to create building blocks for treating and monitoring recycled water to remove pathogens and support potable, food and beverage, non-potable and agricultural reuse. The Agency will address regulatory barriers to deploying digital solutions for compliance monitoring and risk management.
	Establish an HACCP Decision-Making Framework for Water Reuse as an Ingredient in Food and Beverage Production (Action 5.12, led by GHD) Action leaders plan to leverage insights from industry practitioners who have successfully implemented water reuse projects, extracting lessons learned and best practices that can be applied across the food and beverage industry.
	Create a Map of Utilities with Usable Recycled Water for Industrial Reuse (Action 5.13, led by WateReuse) To support municipalities in attracting economic development opportunities, action leaders plan to develop a map of recycled water supplies that are (or could become) available for industrial use in the United States.
	Expand Reuse: Incentivize Alignment and Governance Strategies in Regions with Stable Water Supplies (Action 5.14, led by WRF) This action seeks to continue the momentum of developing water reuse in regions not facing water scarcity or lack of local supply. WRF will study drivers and impediments, including siloed institutions; technical, financial and managerial capacity; and industrial users.
	Identify Opportunities to Advance Water Reuse in the Automotive Value Chain (Action 5.15, led by SP) Action leaders plan to explore opportunities to support greater understanding and advancement of water reuse practices across the automotive sector and its supply base.
	Establish a Working Group on the Intersection of Industrial Water Reuse and PFAS (Action 7.13, led by U.S. Chamber) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to establish a multi-stakeholder working group to explore whether a voluntary industrial water reuse initiative could increase the deployment of water reuse technologies would support EPA’s goals of reducing PFAS in the environment.
	Launch a Pledge Program for Industries to Commit to Incorporating Water Reuse into Their Operations (Action 8.10, led by WateReuse) Action leaders plan to create a voluntary pledge program to encourage industry leaders to incorporate the use of recycled water into their manufacturing processes, products and operations.
	Engage Industry Leaders and Create Knowledge-Sharing Opportunities to Scale Water Reuse in Industry and Manufacturing (Action 8.14, led by WEF and WateReuse) Action leaders plan to host roundtables and webinars with partners from a variety of industries to help interested industries identify opportunities and best practices to expand the use of recycled water.

Commitments to Support Reuse for the U.S. Technology Revolution

	Advance the Use of Recycled Water for Data Center Cooling Applications Through Information Exchanges and Collaborative Partnerships (Action 2.21 (Part 1), led by AWS, Brown and Caldwell, Loudon Water, EPA, Veralto and WEF) Action leaders plan to identify and propose solutions to the regulatory hurdles associated with using recycled water for data center cooling.
	Advance the Use of Recycled Water for AI Through a New AI Center of Excellence (Action 2.21 (Part 2), led by AWS, Brown and Caldwell, Loudon Water, EPA and WEF) The center aims to provide insights into how and when data centers use and source water. Participants have outlined four principles for responsible water use that promote balance between the needs of the data industry and the public.
	Advance the Implementation of Onsite Water Reuse Through the BILD Initiative (Action 3.9, led by CSU, NBRC for OWS and EPA) Collaborative groups plan to build cross-sector coalitions to advance decentralized water reuse. The coalitions will include property owners and plumbing organizations.
	Support States in Expanding the Use of Recycled Water for Industrial and Data Center Cooling Applications (Action 3.10, led by EPA) The EPA plans to work with states and the regulated community to compile and share best practices relevant for industrial cooling systems so states can readily permit the use of recycled water for data centers.
	Host a Collaborative Water and Wastewater Utility Forum on Data Centers (Action 8.12, led by WRF) The Collaborative Water and Wastewater Utility Forum on Data Centers plan to convene a diverse group of participants to engage in structured, topic-driven presentations and discussions that address the multifaceted challenges of data center water use.

New Commitments to Support Reuse for Unleashing American Energy Dominance

	Provide Gold Standard Science to Support States Interested in Off-Field Reuse of Wastewater from Oil and Gas Operations (Action 3.13, led by EPA) EPA scientists plan to provide requested research to states interested in reusing wastewater from oil and gas operations for agriculture, data centers, dust suppression and other alternative uses.
	Develop a GIS-Based Mapping and Information Tool to Advance Water Reuse Planning for the Power Sector and Other End-Uses (Action 5.11, led by EPRI) This geospatial tool enables users to identify alternative water sources that are geographically suited for reuse by power plants, furthering water reuse opportunities in the energy sector.
	Launch a Centralized Portal for Water Reuse Resources That Support States and Industries (Action 8.13, led by EPA) This portal will house key resources to support water reuse for industrial manufacturing, AI/data centers and energy production.

Commitments to Support Collaboration and Cooperative Federalism for Water Reuse

	Develop and Implement Northwest Florida Watersheds Partnerships Program (Action 1.8, led by NWFWMD) NWFWMD will collaborate with local water stakeholders on an integrated, holistic, watershed-based approach to advance projects, including water reuse projects, that address key water supply challenges and strengthen local economic growth.
	Accelerate the U.S. Circular Water Economy and Technology Adoption Through Case Studies and Educational Resources (Action 4.11, led by WEF) Action leaders plan to develop a series of case studies and educational resources to accelerate the deployment of circular water economy technologies and solutions, including water reuse.
	Support Community Water Recycling Projects via a National Water Reuse Communication Strategy (Action 8.11, led by EPA and WateReuse) The EPA and its partners plan to roll out a National Communication Strategy to support communities as they work to improve public perception of recycled water.
	Provide Support to State Workforce to Advance and Permit Water Reuse Projects in the United States (Action 9.3, led by EPA) The EPA plans to provide targeted support to states to meet surging demand for permitted reuse projects.
	Support the Production and Distribution of Advanced Technical Training Materials for the Water Workforce (Action 9.4, led by Veolia) Action leaders plan to partner with existing providers of water workforce technical training materials to support the production, publication and distribution of advanced operator certification and treatment training programs.
	Extend the Federal Water Reuse Interagency Working Group (Action 10.3, led by EPA) When renewed by Administrator Zeldin, the Interagency Working Group will continue federal coordination on water reuse and will help foster a water landscape that secures the nation's water supplies, promotes economic revitalization and ensures clean water for all Americans.

We invite federal, state, Tribal, local and water sector partners to propose actions to advance water reuse. Ideas for new actions may be sent to waterreuse@epa.gov. For information about how to propose, lead or collaborate on a WRAP action, visit this webpage.

Completed WRAP Actions

Over the last quarter, seven WRAP actions were completed, demonstrating continued progress under the strategic themes of Science and Specifications, Technology Development and Validation, Water Information Availability, Integrated Watershed Action, Policy Coordination and International Collaboration. The EPA works with action leaders to develop Completed WRAP Action Summaries that highlight impacts, lessons learned and potential future activities.

• Leverage EPA's Water Partnership Programs to Consider Water Reuse in the Context of Integrated Water Resources Management at the Watershed Scale (pdf) (Action 1.4, led by EPA)
• Leverage Existing USDA Programs to Encourage Consideration and Integration of Agricultural Water Reuse (pdf) (Action 2.12, led by USDA)
• Assess Specifications for Potential Reuse of Wastewater in Food Animal Protein Processing Facilities (pdf) (Action 3.5, led by EPA)
• Evaluate and Promote Air-Cooling Condensate Water Reuse Standards, Methods, Tools and Technologies for Implementing Systems in Large Buildings (pdf) (Action 4.5, led by ASHRAE, Design Aire, IAPMO, EPA, Water Tech Alliance and Water Works, Inc.)
• Evaluate and Optimize Low-Input Treatment Methods to Remove Pharmaceutical Residues from Treated Wastewater Used for Irrigation (pdf) (Action 4.7, led by USDA)
• Identify Opportunities and Address Barriers to Nonresidential Onsite Rainwater and Stormwater Catchment Systems (pdf) (Action 5.9, led by ARCSA)
• Facilitate a Global Dialogue on Water Reuse (pdf) (Action 11.5, led by IDRA and WateReuse)

Recent WRAP Action Outputs and Activities

Visit the Water Reuse Information Library for a robust set of WRAP outputs and other water reuse resources.

Activities, Publications, and Resources

• 

   The ReWater Center Publishes Two Reports on Onsite Water Systems and Chemicals in Potable Reuse
  The two 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 United States, including drivers and challenges for implementing these systems. 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 DoW-funded Water Reuse Consortium for Water Resiliency at Military and Municipal Facilities)

• Webinars on Produced Water Characterization, 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 NMPWRC's monthly series explored topics such as 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 NMPWRC)
• New Infographic on Recycled Water Treatment (png)
  This new infographic on the EPA's Water Reuse website illustrates how utilities can 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)

Infrastructure Funding Announcements

• The EPA Announces $7 Billion in Newly Available WIFIA Funding
  The EPA announced $6.5 billion in 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 technologies, 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., AI data centers) and alleviating the effects of drought. Learn more about available funding and the application process in the notice of funding availability (pdf) and at monthly WIFIA Office Hours. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)
• Apply to FEMA's Fiscal Year 2024 & 2025 BRIC Grant Program
  FEMA's BRIC grant program provides funding for infrastructure-focused hazard mitigation activities, including water reuse projects for drought mitigation. Applications must be submitted by July 23, 2026. (Action 2.14: Integrate Water Reuse into FEMA Hazard Mitigation Programs)
• The EPA Releases New Fact Sheet on Supporting Regional Partnerships with WIFIA Financing (pdf)
  The WIFIA program accelerates investment in our nation's water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost loans for nationally and regionally significant projects, including water reuse. This new fact sheet highlights how the WIFIA program can support regional partnerships by adapting to meet the needs of a variety of borrowers. (Action 6.2B: Support and Communicate WIFIA Funding)

Legislative Update

• New Senate Bill Proposes the Establishment of an Industrial Water Reuse Tax Credit
  The Advancing Water Reuse Act aims to incentivize investments in industrial water reuse. The proposed 30% investment tax credit would support the development of reliable water supplies for businesses, including manufacturers and data centers, as well as their surrounding communities. This bill is the Senate companion to H.R. 2940 in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Action 6.6: Study the Public Benefit of a Potential Water Reuse Tax Credit)

Abbreviations Used in This Document

PDF Versions of WRAP Quarterly Updates

EPA makes its WRAP Quarterly Updates available in PDF form, both for this latest version, as well as all prior versions since July 2020.

• PDF versions of WRAP Quarterly Updates