Ever wondered about “toilet to tap” and envisioned what it means to use treated wastewater as potable drinking water? “Toilet to tap” doesn’t exactly make a person crave a big glass of water, after all. By it’s proper name, direct potable reuse creates a clean, sustainable water supply, while reducing the amount of wastewater discharged to rivers and the ocean.
Stop wondering and bring your questions to the second part of our Innovations in Managing Water Discussion. During this panel discussion our speakers will explain the mechanics of direct potable reuse and the new California regulations that allow water systems to treat wastewater for potable use. You will hear directly from two agencies that are looking to direct potable reuse as a new climate-resilient water source for our future water needs.
Join us and learn why “toilet to tap” is a misnomer and how important this new reliable water source will be for California.
Our Presenters:
Heather Collins is the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She assists with leading a team responsible for the reliable delivery of high-quality imported water to southern California. This team includes over 950 employees responsible for operating and maintaining Metropolitan's Colorado River Aqueduct, treatment and distribution facilities; planning and scheduling water deliveries and power operations; and ensuring compliance with water quality, safety, and environmental regulations. Her team also provides in-house manufacturing, construction, emergency response and maintenance engineering services. Heather is the lead on regulatory & permitting efforts for Metropolitan’s Pure Water Southern California, a planned 150-million gallon per day, water purification program to beneficially reuse water for groundwater recharge and potential raw water augmentation adding resiliency to Metropolitan’s water supply portfolio. Heather is Registered Civil Engineer and licensed Water Treatment Operator, and currently serves as AWWA Association incoming President-Elect, Association Director, Past Vice-President and a member of the Water Utility Council. Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Rosario Cortés is the current Manager of Regulatory Affairs for WateReuse California. Rosario represents WRCA in a myriad regulatory activities involving recycled water including the implementation of the water use efficiency legislation, the development of the Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and other funding issues, the onsite reuse regulations, and more. She provides support and legislative and regulatory information to our seven chapters and standing committees. Rosario has 20-plus years of experience in California water policy. In addition to working for two members of the California State Legislature, a governor and as a contract legislative advocate, she held several high-level positions for water-related associations including the Association of California Water Agencies, the California Municipal Utilities Association and most recently the California Special Districts Association.
Claire Johnson is a Principal Regulatory Specialist at the Orange County Water District. A California registered Civil Engineer, Ms. Johnson supports the District in permitting and regulatory compliance including managing the Division of Drinking Water and Regional Water Quality Control Board permitting of the recently completed Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion. This indirect potable reuse project increased OCWD’s production of potable recycled water from 100 MGD to 130 MGD, maintaining the GWRS’s position as the largest project of its kind in the world and securing enough reliable, local water for 1 million people.
Ms. Johnson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Nevada. Prior to joining OCWD, she served as a consultant in the areas of MS4 and NPDES permit monitoring, reporting, and compliance.
Registration
Registration is free for AWWEE members. Members can add up to 2 guests.
Non-member registration fee is $20.