The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting comments that will inform its development of a national Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). The WRAP is intended to ensure the effective use of the Nation's water resources and foster water reuse as an important component of integrated water resources management. Because the WRAP will be national policy on water reuse, WaterNow is currently inviting, and encouraging, our members to add their voice to this important conversation by signing-on to our comment letter on the Framework that we will submit to EPA on their behalf. The deadline to sign-on is June 26th, 2019.
How will the WRAP be developed?
EPA has set up a multi-phase process to develop the WRAP. In April, the agency issued a Discussion Framework for Development of a Draft Water Reuse Action Plan (Framework) that provided background, context, and details on development of the WRAP, available here. EPA is currently accepting public input on the Framework. EPA will release a draft WRAP reflecting this input in the Fall and there will be another round of public review and comment on the draft WRAP to be released later this year.
Why should I be involved in the WRAP development?
The WRAP will serve as national policy on water reuse. Thus, it is vitally important for water leaders across the country to provide their input on EPA’s development of the WRAP. In particular, EPA has acknowledged in the Framework that onsite non-potable reuse should be part of the WRAP by listing use applications for onsite reuse, which WaterNow supports and finds encourag
ing. However, input from cities and utilities already using, or interested in using, localized solutions like onsite reuse can help move EPA to expressly address how decentralized systems from a technological, regulatory, and financing perspective fit into the WRAP. This, in turn, will help ensure local water utilities have increased access to these cost-effective, environmentally friendly solutions.
How do I submit comments on the Framework?
WaterNow is currently inviting our members to sign-on to our comment letter on the Framework that we will submit to EPA on their behalf. You can find a copy of the letter here. Please fill out this form if you would like to add your name and email our Engagement Manager Kate Moran at [email protected] with any questions.
If you would like to submit your own comments, you may do so under federal Docket Number EPA-HQ- OW-2019-0174 by following the instructions here.
When are comments due?
Public input on the Framework is due no later than July 1, 2019.
WaterNow will continue our engagement in this important public process and will post updates on our blog and in the monthly newsletter in the coming months.