The WateReuse Association has launched a major initiative to aid states in developing and updating water reuse regulations as demand for resilient water supplies intensifies across the United States. The State Water Reuse Regulatory Guide, now under development, is designed to help states craft science-based, health-protective, and context-specific regulatory frameworks across agricultural and irrigation reuse, onsite systems, industrial non-potable applications, and potable reuse.
The guide will provide a framework for understanding rulemaking processes, engaging stakeholders, and navigating key decision points
The project responds to growing pressure on water resources driven by industrial expansion, population growth, and aquifer depletion in regions such as South Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, and Kansas. As more states consider water reuse to support economic growth and long-term supply resilience, the absence of clear or contemporary regulations has created barriers to implementation. The guide aims to streamline regulatory development and reduce uncertainty for utilities, industries, and regulators.
WateReuse has selected Brown and Caldwell to lead the project, with Hazen joining as a collaborating partner. The guide will provide a framework for understanding rulemaking processes, engaging stakeholders, and navigating key decision points. It will address scientific, legal, and policy considerations, emphasizing strategies that build trust and collaboration throughout regulatory development. While comprehensive in scope, the resource is intended to help states tailor regulations to their unique conditions rather than prescribe specific standards.
The initiative is supported by several major water sector organizations, including the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, American Water Works Association, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the Water Environment Federation.
Throughout 2026, the project team will conduct workshops, interviews, and focus groups to refine the guide based on stakeholder input. The final resource is scheduled for release in May 2026, marking the first nationwide regulatory guide dedicated specifically to advancing water reuse adoption at the state level.
