Arizona Department of Water Resources
Blue Ribbon Panel on Water Sustainability
FINAL REPORT 
of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Water Sustainability - November 30, 2010
PANEL MEMBERS
List of Panel Members
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On August 28, 2009, Governor Jan Brewer announced the formation of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Water Sustainability. The group was formed following Governor Brewer’s commitment to collaboration on water resource issues. Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) Director Herb Guenther, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Ben Grumbles, and Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Chairman Kris Mayes will direct a statewide effort aimed at improving the long term sustainability of Arizona’s water supplies through increased conservation and recycling. The Blue Ribbon Panel has been formed to identify and overcome obstacles to increase water sustainability. Of particular interest will be suggestions and concerns of cities, towns, and other Arizona stakeholders involved in implementing new strategies to advance water recycling and conservation efforts.
The 40 member Panel of appointed members, (representing Legislative leadership, State Agencies, Local Governments, City Governments, Tribal Governments, Federal Government, Universities, and Private Utilities) will provide advice to ADWR, ADEQ, and the ACC on the technical, legal, and policy aspects of promoting recycling of wastewater, graywater, industrial process water, and stormwater. While there are many opportunities to increase water recycling and conservation, an early priority of the Panel will be to focus on increasing wastewater reuse throughout the State through detailed examinations of water quality, regulatory, infrastructure and public acceptance challenges that could limit the increased use of this important water supply.
Working groups have been tasked to develop recommendations in support of the sustainability goals. The working groups will research issues, and discuss and develop recommendations to present to the panel.
PAST MEETINGS OF THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL ON WATER SUSTAINABILITY
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FILES FROM PAST MEETINGS OF THE BLUE RIBBON PANEL ON WATER SUSTAINABILITY
WORKING GROUPS
Overview of working groups
Chair: Kathleen Chavez, P.E., Water Policy Manager, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation
The goal of this work group is to make recommendations for enhancing public acceptance of the use of reclaimed and recycled waters through public education, outreach, and other strategies.
Links
Round Table Series Examines Challenges, Benefits of Water Reuse 
By Dan McCarthy
A Thirsty Planet -
This is a website by the National WateReuse Association. It's purpose is to help the community
better understand the need for, and uses and benefits of water reuse and water desalination to help augment our
planet’s precious water supplies. Around the world, communities are facing water supply challenges due to increasing
demand for water, drought, depletion and contamination of groundwater, and dependence on a single source of water
supply.
EPA approves 12 drinking water analytical methods
EPA Releases Review of Federal Drinking Water Standards and Proposes New Stradegy for
Toxic Waters- A series about the worsening pollution in American waters and regulators' response
The Hidden Costs of Bottled Water
Chair: Ron Doba, Past President Arizona WateReuse Association
dobarv@bv.com or rdoba@cox.net
The goal of this work group is to identify regulatory impediments and make recommendations to streamline the reuse of reclaimed water.
Sub Working Groups of the Regulations and Permitting Working Group
ADEQ & ADWR Permitting Processes
Water Quality Standards Sub-Group
Gray Water Sub-Group
Chair: Guy Carpenter, Board of Directors, National Water Reuse Association
The goal of this work group is to recommend measures that will facilitate the design, construction, operation and maintenance of new and retrofitted reclaimed and recycled water systems.
Conservation/Recycling/Efficiency/Energy Nexus
Chair: Steve Olson, Executive Director, Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
The goal of this work group is to make recommendations regarding statutes, rules, policies, and strategies for increasing water conservation in the agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors; increasing the recycling of water that is not considered reclaimed water; and reducing the water cost of energy and the energy cost of water.
Chair: David Snider, Supervisor, Pinal County Board of Supervisors
david.snider@pinalcountyaz.gov
The goal of this work group is to make recommendations on incentives, approaches to funding, and other mechanisms that will accelerate the reuse of reclaimed and recycled waters.
Links
National Water Research Institute
NWRI White Paper on Regulatory Aspects of Direct Potable Reuse in California
October 14, 2010 E-News Letter
NWRI
2010 NWRI Final Project Report on "Source, Fate, and Transport of Endocrine Disruptors, Pharmaceuticals, and Personal Care Products in Drinking Water Sources in California"
NWRI
Constituents of Emerging Concern
Research Profile
