TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 2024
COMMITTEE ON PROCUREMENT
Mr. Brian A. Perkovich, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to WateReuse Association for 2025 membership dues, in the amount of $20,383.80, Account 101-15000-612280
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment, by direct voucher, to WateReuse Association for the District’s 2025 membership dues in the amount of $23,383.80. The term of the District’s membership is January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
The WateReuse Association is a nonprofit trade association for water utilities, businesses, industrial and commercial enterprises, and other nonprofit organizations that focuses solely on advancing laws, policies, and funding to increase water reuse. Their mission is to engage members in a national movement for safe and sustainable water supplies, to promote acceptance and support of recycled water, and to advocate for policies and funding that increase water reuse. The WateReuse Association collaborated with USEPA on the National Water Reuse Action Plan and continues to be a partner in the collaborative process to implement water reuse nationally.
The WateReuse Association’s advocacy program is built on a foundation of policy principles and positions that advance safe and sustainable water supplies and promote the adoption of water recycling as a key component of water resource management. One of the association’s adopted policy principles focuses on encouraging the Biden Administration to adopt a “polluter pays” approach to controlling and remediating pollution from PFAS and urging that legislation and rules to ensure that water, wastewater, and water recycling utilities are shielded from having to cover the cost of PFAS cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The MWRD is working to initiate an Illinois state section of the WateReuse Association. We met with the national WateReuse Association leadership on September 23, 2024. The presentation from the call is attached. Five water utility partners are needed begin a state section. We have identified four utilities (including MWRD) and are working to engage the fifth partner.
Inasmuch as WaterReuse Association membership is not available through any other source, nothing would be gained by advertising for bids (Section 11.4 of the Purchasing Act).
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment, by direct voucher, to WateReuse Association, in the amount of $20,383.80.
Funds will be available in Account 101-15000-612280 and are contingent on the Board of Commissioners' approval of the District's budget for that year.
Requested, Shellie A. Riedle, Administrative Services Officer, CO
Recommended, Darlene A. LoCascio, Director of Procurement and Materials Management
Respectfully Submitted, Marcelino Garcia, Chairman Committee on Procurement
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for October 17, 2024