Water reuse group thanks board for VAR work, urges counting environmental recycled water uses

Rosario Cortez, manager of regulatory affairs for WaterReuse California, thanked the State Water Resources Control Board on Sept. 3 for the agency's work on the Volumetric Annual Report (VAR) for wastewater and recycled water and requested attention to how environmental uses of recycled water are counted.

Cortez said the VAR response rate has been strong—about 97%—crediting prior staff outreach (Rebecca Greenwood historically and Laura McClellan more recently) for maintaining data quality. She noted that the modest decline in recycled‑water totals in the most recent report aligns with hydrologic variability: 2020–2022 were unusually dry years while water year 2024 was wet with above‑average snowpack, reducing the demand for some recycled‑water uses (for example, irrigation and recharge) in that year.

Cortez asked staff to consider methods for including recycled water dedicated to environmental purposes (not always Title 22 beneficial uses) in VAR totals because environmental uses relieve pressure on other supplies and contribute to resilience. She also reminded the board the VAR reporting module will reopen on Jan. 1, 2026, and offered WaterReuse California's assistance with outreach to maintain high response rates.

Why it matters: Volumetric tracking of recycled water supports potable reuse planning, groundwater replenishment accounting and state water‑supply strategy metrics. Accurately counting environmental uses may affect planning metrics and local project justification.

Board response: Chair Esquivel thanked Cortez and asked staff to consider how to make VAR materials available and to maintain outreach during the reporting transition.

Ending: Cortez urged continued collaboration between the board and industry groups to keep the VAR data reliable and useful for reuse and resilience planning.