2026 will be a phenomenal year for water recycling. I’m proud to have joined the WateReuse Association at this pivotal moment, to help advance next-generation solutions to the many challenges and uncertainties that face the water and wastewater industry.
Many of our members will hit major milestones in the coming year. For example: in California, partner agencies in San Diego County expect to cut the ribbon on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, which will supply 11 million gallons per day of purified water via reservoir augmentation. On the other side of the country, DC Water plans to break ground on their Pure Water DC Discovery Center. And everywhere in between, water reuse projects are being discussed, designed, and delivered to improve our nation’s water resiliency.
To support these efforts, WateReuse plans to publish a long-awaited State Regulatory Guidebook in 2026. This resource will help regulatory agencies adopt safe and workable rules that can unleash the benefits of water reuse.
With all this innovation, it’s more important than ever that community leaders, technologists, and researchers convene to share their findings. The 2026 WateReuse Symposium takes place March 8-11 in Los Angeles, exploring themes including emerging markets, project financing, and the role of water in the AI revolution. Register now to be part of the conversation!
In 2026 we are certain to see water demand increase due to data centers and other manufacturing needs. That’s why we’re redoubling our efforts to introduce a federal investment tax credit to incentivize industries to use recycled water. It’s also why we’ll partner with Water Environment Federation to unite business leaders and water visionaries at the second annual Industrial Water Solutions conference, taking place June 8-10 in Chicago.
Together, we are turning visionary thinking into results for communities everywhere. Here’s to 2026!
