- Cities around the US are increasingly embracing the idea of reusing wastewater for tap water, especially as dry regions seek ways to increase their water supply. According to WateReuse, the number of communities using recycled water for drinking should more than double in the next 15 years. The infrastructure bill will be providing $1 billion for water reuse projects in the West.
- The latest TWDB Drought Watch shows improvements in North Central and South Texas, but continued degradation in West Texas. Overall, this is the state's first week-to-week drought decrease in 9 weeks.
- The national infrastructure bill was passed earlier this month, and today Biden will sign the bill into law. The White House estimates that Texas will receive about $35 billion over five years for roads, bridges, pipes, ports, broadband access, and other projects.
- The court has approved a settlement of $626 million in the Flint water crisis. 80% of the money will go to residents who were first exposed to the contaminated water at younger than 18 years of age, as they were put at the greatest risk for developing neurological and physical problems from the lead poisoning. “The settlement reached here is a remarkable achievement for many reasons, not the least of which is that it sets forth a comprehensive compensation program and timeline that is consistent for every qualifying participant.”
- The infrastructure bill includes $55 billion to go towards drinking water, wastewater, and storm water infrastructure funding. The legislation will invest in water infrastructure with $15 billion to replace lead pipes and $10 billion to address water contamination from PFAS. This Water & Wastes Digest article includes a full breakdown of the funding.