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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released on September 10th a Draft National Water Reuse Action Plan (“Plan”).

The Plan describes priority actions and the leadership along with collaboration that is stated to be needed between governmental and non-governmental organizations to implement certain actions to facilitate water reuse.

EPA notes that 40 states anticipate experiencing freshwater shortages in various regions within their borders over the next decade. As a result, the federal agency believes that diversifying the United States water portfolio must be a priority. Water reuse is deemed to have the potential to enhance water economy for the future. The Plan is described as the first initiative of such magnitude that is coordinated across the water sector.

EPA states that it engaged in extensive outreach, research and prior engagement with the water sector in developing the Plan. It is stated to incorporate federal, state, tribal and local water perspectives. Further, key actions that it views as needing consideration in the implementation of water reuse are identified.

EPA is soliciting comments from stakeholders on topics such as:

• The Key and Priority Actions Necessary to Enhance Consideration of Water Reuse
• The Key Attributes, Implementation Steps, and Milestones to Successfully Implement the Proposed Actions
• Potential Action Leaders to Champion to the Proposed Actions
• Potential Contributing Organizations to Serve as Partners/Collaborators in Implementing the Proposed Actions
• Additional Information or Recommendations to Inform These or Other Proposed Actions

A copy of the Draft Plan can be downloaded here.