When I completed my service as Acting Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water in January 2025, I had the opportunity to take a step back and consider where I could make the most impact in advancing water sustainability.
First, I took a vacation! Then, I accepted the role of Executive Director of the WateReuse Association. Why? Because water is too precious to use just once. During my time at EPA, I helped steer the National Water Reuse Action Plan – and came to understand how essential water recycling technologies and strategies will be to our planet’s future.
WateReuse Association is the nation’s only trade association solely dedicated to advancing laws, policy, funding, and public acceptance of recycled water. Our work is driven by a coalition of utilities that recycle water, businesses that support the development of recycled water projects, and consumers of recycled water. I’m proud to support the work of this coalition by focusing on three key strategies: engaging, educating, and advocating.
Knowledge-sharing and new tech are leading to a water reuse revolution that will support industrial onshoring and improve resilience
WateReuse engages leaders from across the public and private sectors and leverages their expertise to ensure the continued provision of safe and clean water for industry and citizens. I have been amazed by our members’ innovative and collaborative spirit – always ready to share their findings with others. I’m also in awe of how quickly new regions are taking an interest in these solutions. At a recent meeting in my traditionally water-rich home state of Indiana, I was surprised to hear water reuse being discussed as an important next step in the effort to meet the water demands of data centres. Knowledge-sharing and new technologies are leading to a water reuse revolution that will support industrial onshoring, improve climate resilience, and protect aquatic ecosystems. WateReuse Association is also engaging beyond the United States, as exemplified by our ongoing Global Dialogue on Water Reuse with the International Desalination and Reuse Association.
Education is key to training the industry workforce and to building public trust in water reuse. That’s why our staff and members are hard at work organising the world’s largest and most comprehensive water reuse learning opportunity: our WateReuse Symposium in Los Angeles, March 8-11, 2026. The Symposium will include a summit of water reuse regulators from across the United States and beyond, to help align and improve the regional rules that govern reuse. We’re also working with educators to run a workshop at local high schools in advance of the Symposium, fostering future water professionals by bringing students to speak in front of industry experts. And of course, we’ll host six concurrent tracks of the most cutting-edge technical water reuse content.
Advocacy with government decision-makers is probably the most important piece of this puzzle. At a time when our leaders are looking for viable, cost-effective, and shovel-ready solutions, we will advocate for water reuse because it’s a winner. I plan to build on my existing relationships and understanding of United States policymaking to secure more federal funding and support for water recycling projects. Because regulation of water reuse in the U.S. takes place primarily at the state level, I also look forward to maximising the impact of our State Regulatory Guidebook, currently in development. This resource will help more states adopt safe and workable regulations to unleash the benefits of water reuse, and the guidance can also help nations and provinces worldwide in their own rulemaking processes.
Water reuse is going to be one of the most impactful tools in our global effort to protect precious water supplies, react to a changing climate, and provide clean and safe water for the next century. I hope you’ll join the WateReuse Association to help make this future a reality.