WaterWorld Weekly Newscast, October 3, 2016

Oct. 3, 2016
A transcript of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast for October 3, 2016.

The following is a transcript of the WaterWorld Weekly Newscast for October 3, 2016.

Hi, I'm Angela Godwin for WaterWorld magazine, bringing you water and wastewater news headlines for the week of October 3rd. Coming up...

House passes WRDA bill

DC Water pioneers water infrastructure funding with new bond

Water district partners on groundbreaking energy storage project

Support Water.org and win a playdate with Tom Brady

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Water Resources Development Act, or WRDA, with a vote of 399-25.

The legislation addresses the nation’s water resources infrastructure, including dams, locks and flood protection.

It also includes a last minute provision of up to $170 million to aid Flint, Michigan, in the wake of the lead contamination crisis there.

The bill now heads to committee where it will be reconciled with the nearly identical Senate version that was passed on Sept. 15.

Last week, DC Water issued the nation's first Environmental Impact Bond to fund the initial green infrastructure project in its DC Clean Rivers Project, a $2.6 billion program to control stormwater runoff and improve the District's water quality.

The $25 million, tax-exempt EIB was sold in a private placement to the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Calvert Foundation.

The EIB allows DC Water to attract investment in green infrastructure through an innovative financing technique.

The costs of installing the green infrastructure are paid for by DC Water, but the performance risk is shared amongst DC Water and the investors.

By financing this project through the EIB, DC Water seeks to create a model funding mechanism that other municipalities can leverage to advance the use of green infrastructure to address stormwater management in their communities.

Under a new public-private partnership with Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Irvine Ranch Water District will install the largest network of energy storage systems at a public water agency in the United States.

The 7 MW/34 MWh network will utilize Tesla batteries, installed at 11 of the water district's largest and most energy-intensive facilities as part of a major grid modernization project for Southern California Edison.

The project will enable the public water agency to store energy, making it available to reduce demand from the grid when requested by SCE without interrupting water treatment operations.

The energy storage systems will be linked together as a network providing water district facility managers real time visibility and operational flexibility in responding to requests for demand reduction.

It is estimated that the system will save Irvine Ranch Water District more than $500,000 per year.

You may have seen the promo video on YouTube or Facebook: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck competing for the affections of Patriots QB Tom Brady.

It's all part of a campaign to benefit three worthy charities: Eastern Congo Initiative, TB12 Foundation, and Water.org.

For a minimum donation of $10, entrants will have a chance to win the grand prize: a day in Boston hanging out with Matt, Ben, and Tom.

Water.org is the organization founded by Gary White and Matt Damon. It works to develop and deliver solutions to the global water crisis.

To date, Water.org has positively impacted more than four million people around the world.

If you want to lend your support -- and win a chance to hang out with Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Tom Brady -- visit Omaze.com to enter.

For WaterWorld magazine, I'm Angela Godwin. Thanks for watching.

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