Water reuse tax credit legislation introduced in Senate

The Senate has introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a 30 percent investment tax credit to help manufacturers and other industrial entities ramp up their use of recycled water rather than other freshwater supplies.

The Advancing Water Reuse Act was introduced by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

The bill is the Senate companion to H.R. 2940 in the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.).

“Water is the fuel of our growing economy. Businesses need local, reliable, and cost-effective strategies that protect water resources for the communities in which they operate,” said WateReuse Association executive director Bruno Pigott. “WateReuse Association applauds Senators Britt and Luján for introducing legislation to unleash the potential of industrial water reuse for the American economy.”

Industrial water reuse is an effective and efficient process for treating water to meet specific quality standards for an intended end use. This water can originate in the same facility that captures, treats, and reuses it, which is known as onsite reuse; or, it can be supplied through a public-private partnership by municipalities that treat recycled water.

In a press release, the WateReuse Association noted that industry and manufacturing account for the second-biggest draw on American water supplies, after agriculture.

While reusing water is a promising solution that currently only offsets a fraction of industrial water demands, the group said the Advancing Water Reuse Act will help ensure long-term water supplies.

The WateReuse Association added that incentivizing investments in water reuse, the bill will limit discharges of industrial effluent, reduce demand on freshwater supplies, and facilitate business development and job growth.

In addition to the WateReuse Association, the legislation is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Manufacturers, Water Environment Federation, National Rural Water Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and more.

Source/s: WateReuse Association

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