On April 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the second version of the National Water Reuse Action Plan (WRAP). The updated version builds on the original’s core mission to advance water reuse across the United States, with a focus on collaborative implementation, water security, sustainability and resilience.

WRAP 2.0 is organized around three initiatives:

• Supporting Reuse for Resurgent Domestic Industry: Component fabrication (e.g., bottles and batteries), finished products (e.g., food and beverage products, cars, and trucks), and agricultural production. 
• Water for the U.S. Technology Revolution: Microchip and memory fabrication and data center cooling. 
• Unleashing American Energy Dominance: Electricity generation and energy development.

NAHB supports the agency’s proactive approach toward water efficiency through water reuse strategies.

“NAHB applauds EPA Administrator Zeldin’s release of the next version of EPA’s Water Reuse Action Plan 2.0, a multifaceted strategy promoting innovative water reuse practices and technologies to ensure the communities NAHB members build have access to safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable water sources now and in the future,” stated NAHB Chairman Bill Owens.

For builders and developers facing water scarcity challenges, the plan could help ensure continued, reliable mitigation options. Real-world examples from NAHB members include:

• Douglas County, Colo.: How a residential developer used a state water reuse pilot program to harvest onsite stormwater runoff that offset home owners’ exterior water use and conserved limited potable water supplies.
• Clark County, Nev.: How designing and building new residential units to achieve EPA’s voluntary WaterSense water efficiency standard resulted in dramatically lower annual household water consumption levels, enabling the local water authority to provide water for the area’s continued population growth.

A key factor moving forward is participation from all stakeholders through cooperative federalism and cross-agency collaboration, enabling transparency through the process. NAHB will be participating in efforts to implement WRAP 2.0 and maximize potential benefits to the housing industry.