SB 6117 - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Declares an intent to: (1) Effectuate and reinvigorate the original intent behind the reclaimed water act to expand the use of reclaimed water for nonpotable uses throughout the state;

(2) Restate and emphasize the use of reclaimed water as a matter of water resource management policy;

(3) Address current barriers to the use of reclaimed water, where changes in state law will resolve such issues;

(4) Develop information from the state agencies responsible for promoting the use of reclaimed water and address regulatory, financial, planning, and other barriers to the expanded use of reclaimed water, relying on state agency expertise and experience with reclaimed water;

(5) Facilitate achieving state, regional, and local objectives through use of reclaimed water for water supply purposes in high priority areas of the state, and in regional and local watershed and water planning;

(6) Provide planning tools to local governments to incorporate reclaimed water and related water conservation into land use plans, consistent with water planning;

(7) Expand the scope of work of the advisory committee established under chapter 279, Laws of 2006 to identify other reclaimed water issues that should be addressed; and

(8) Provide initial funding, and evaluate options for providing additional direct state funding, for reclaimed water projects.

Provides that, by January 1, 2008, the department of health shall file a brief report with the appropriate committees of the legislature on the general status of: (1) Development of permit fees for industrial and commercial uses of reclaimed water as required by RCW 90.46.030;

(2) Development of standards and guidelines for greywater use as required by RCW 90.46.140; and

(3) Permitting of greywater use by local health officers and plumbing officials in accordance with standards and guidelines developed pursuant to RCW 90.46.140.

Requires the report to also identify: (1) A general description of the number, type, and location of reclaimed water opportunities included in water supply and coordinated water system plans since 2003, as required by RCW 90.46.140;

(2) The best information currently available regarding potential public health risks associated with reclaimed water, if any, any known occurrences of any public health incidents associated with reclaimed water use, the approaches to reclaimed water-related public health issues taken in other states, and resource needs of the department to evaluate any known public health risks; and

(3) A description of a basic public information and public acceptance program necessary to generate public support for the beneficial use of reclaimed water.

Finds that the state should take a lead in increasing the visibility of the use of reclaimed water.

Directs the department of general administration to develop a proposal to provide a comprehensive campus-wide plan for the use of nonpotable water in lieu of the use of potable water to serve as a demonstration project for the use of reclaimed water. The department of general administration shall work with LOTT alliance to provide a report to the legislature by December 1, 2007, of the needed infrastructure, cost, and potential funding sources for the project.