Water

Water shortages have occurred in at least 36 states across the country.  In the arid West, rapid growth and periodic drought threaten communities’ ability to keep up with the demand for clean water.  Matheson’s legislation—the Water-Use Efficiency and Conservation Research Act –has passed the House.  It creates a research and development program on water-use efficiency and conservation within the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development.  The legislation specifies that the program, among other things, should research technologies and processes dealing with the collection, storage, treatment and reuse of rainwater, storm water and gray water (wastewater from sinks and baths).  It also requires EPA to add at least four advanced water efficiency development projects that relate to incorporating the latest water use efficiency and conservation technologies and designs.  At least one of the projects would be for a residential building and at least one for a commercial building, to be accessible to the public.