Public funds and private donations helping to fund the Advancing Potable Reuse Initiative

The Water Environment and Reuse Foundation (WE&RF) is seeking partners and funding to further fund its newly launched Advancing Potable Reuse Initiative. Brown and Caldwell, a leading environmental engineering and construction firm, recently made a $100,000 contribution to the initiative. The funds will help advance potable reuse as a solution to the nation’s water supply challenges and as a reliable and sustainable component of integrated water management.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to help make this research possible and advance potable reuse in the U.S.” said Melissa Meeker, WE&RF CEO. “It is through the contributions of the water reuse community that we will achieve our goal of advancing potable reuse across the country. Brown and Caldwell is one of the first major contributors to this Initiative, and their commitment shows tremendous leadership. It is greatly appreciated.”

The Brown and Caldwell donation joins a recent $4.5 million award from the California State Water Resources Control Board to WE&RF which will aid in furthering potable reuse and the ability to improve water supply reliability. Additionally, water utilities, consulting firms, and other partners are stepping up to make monetary donations and in-kind contributions.

Wendy Broley, Brown and Caldwell water reuse leader, recently spoke about the Advancing Potable Reuse Initiative saying, “This initiative will have far-reaching benefits not only in California, a state greatly in need of alternative water supply solutions, but in other regions, as well. Collectively, we can make significant strides towards helping communities adapt to water shortages, make their systems more resilient, and diversify water portfolios while reducing environmental impacts.”

WE&RF’s portfolio of existing water reuse research will aid the and will help policymakers and the public understand the science, economic value, and environmental benefits of recycled water and potable reuse. WE&RF proposes raising $4 million in matching funds through the initiative to address questions in states across the U.S. that are developing potable reuse regulations and/or implementing projects. Several states – including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia — currently have potable reuse programs underway and many of these states are considering groundwater replenishment and/or surface water augmentation with recycled water for the first time.

“We are excited to support WE&RF on this work that will have widespread beneficial impacts to the water community,” Broley said. “We take great pride in partnering with industry research organizations like WE&RF, utilities, and regulatory agencies to advance the state of the science and develop practical tools that help advance the industry as a whole.”

In addition to the Advancing Potable Reuse Initiative, WE&RF is also a founding member of WaterXchange.org, a non-profit organization and industry-specific, on-line social networking site conceived and developed by Brown and Caldwell. The site was developed and designed to help utilities, associations, and research organizations better connect and collaborate online. WE&RF will be sharing the results of its potable reuse research, on the WaterXchange.org site and other appropriate channels. Brown and Caldwell is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California.