10/09/2026
Last week, WateReuse staff and members headed to WEFTEC 2026 to elevate the value of water reuse. Executive Director Bruno Pigott moderated a panel on Tuesday focused on how water reuse is driving the digital economy. “What we have heard today is that the real choice is between freshwater that is already spoken for and supplies that reuse, desalination, and advanced treatment can make available, often from within the same site,” he said. The discussion focused on strategies for planning and siting data centers to connect to reuse systems, balancing energy demands with water needs, and AI for treatment and monitoring.
WateReuse representatives also shared the fundamentals of reuse with audiences in a technical session. Zeynep Erdal, chair of WateReuse’s Research Committee, and WateReuse Illinois President Tim Gualandri participated in a “Water Reuse 101” session covering types of reuse, drivers, treatment trains, the regulatory landscape, and a case study from WateReuse member Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s Sustainable Water Infrastructure for Tomorrow initiative.
