The Guide That Will Change Water Reuse Nationwide

On this episode of The Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling interview Fred Gerringer, Brown and Caldwell’s Water Reuse National Practice Leader, about the creation of a first-of-its-kind State Water Reuse Regulatory Guide being developed for the WateReuse Association and its partner organizations. Gerringer explains the growing need for consistent and practical state-level regulations as more communities pursue water reuse amid water scarcity, noting that states currently rely on disparate models and processes that vary widely. He outlines how Brown and Caldwell, together with Hazen and Sawyer and a broad network of regulators, utilities, industry experts, workshops, and focus groups, are shaping the guide to help states develop effective regulations tailored to their unique structures and needs.

The discussion covers challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, affordability, and the complexity of advanced treatment technologies, as well as the significant opportunities reuse provides — particularly potable reuse — in supporting sustainability, drought resilience, and regional collaboration. Gerringer also previews major milestones leading up to the guide’s anticipated release in May and underscores its value for states and municipalities beginning or expanding their water reuse efforts.