The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is seeking public input on the development of an action plan to accelerate the application of water reuse as a safe, reliable, and sustainable way to meet the country’s current and future water demands.
“To meet the country’s most pressing water resources challenges, EPA recognizes the need for coordinated federal leadership,” said David Ross, USEPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water. “Working with our Federal partners, we are looking to tap the expertise of our nation’s farmers, utilities, industry, NGOs, scientists, and others to craft a Water Reuse Action Plan that helps our country better prepare for current and future water challenges and meet the water needs of generations to come.”
To facilitate public input on the Water Reuse Action Plan, USEPA released a Discussion Framework for Development of a Draft Water Reuse Action Plan to provide background, context, and details on the considerations the Water Reuse Action Plan may address. USEPA invites ideas and input on all aspects of water reuse, including but not limited to:
- Specific actions that can be taken now and in the future by Federal agencies, States, Tribes, local governments, water utilities, industry, agriculture, and others;
- Key relevant sources of information, such as literature about water reuse, not already identified in the Discussion Framework for Development of a Draft Water Reuse Action Plan;
- Examples of water reuse, both past and future, which demonstrate opportunities and barriers;
- Concepts for applying water reuse strategies within integrated water resources management planning; and,
- Ways water reuse can improve water resiliency, security and sustainability through a more diverse water portfolio.
USEPA will accept public input for the draft Water Reuse Action Plan through July 1, 2019, online via https://www.regulations.gov using Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2019-0174. After consideration of the input received, USEPA will release a draft Water Reuse Action Plan for public comment. To access more information from the USEPA on the Water Reuse Action Plan visit: www.epa.gov/waterreuse/water-reuse-action-plan.