AN ACT Relating to water conservation; and adding a new chapter to Title 90 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that waters of the state are a limited and renewable resource subject to ever increasing demands. The legislature further recognizes that efficient use of state waters is necessary to reduce the cost of providing water to users and to preserve the relative abundance of this resource that the citizens of the state enjoy.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) As used in this section, "conservation" means those measures that limit the amount of water used to only that which is reasonably necessary for the beneficial use to be served.

(2) The department of social and health services shall develop, by rule, elements relating to water conservation to be included in water system plans required pursuant to RCW 43.20.050. At a minimum, the elements shall include:

(a) An estimate of past, current, and projected water use and, to the extent records are available, segregate those uses between residential, industrial, commercial, and governmental uses;

(b) Identification of conservation measures currently adopted and being practiced;

(c) A description of alternative conservation measures, if any, that would improve the efficiency of water use with an evaluation of their costs and their environmental and other significant impacts;

(d) An implementation schedule for proposed actions as indicated by the plan; and

(e) A description of the frequency and magnitude of supply deficiencies including conditions of drought and emergency, and the ability to meet short-term deficiencies.

(3) In addition to the elements required under this section, a plan projecting future use which indicates a need for expanded or additional water supplies shall contain an evaluation of the following:

(a) Exchanges or transfers of water on a short-term or long-term basis;

(b) Management of water system pressures and peak demands;

(d) Public information and education programs to promote wise use and eliminate waste; and

(e) Changes in pricing, rate structures, and regulations.

(4) Evaluation of the elements in this section shall include a comparison of the estimated cost of alternative water management practices with the incremental costs of expanded or additional water supplies. In the course of the evaluation, first consideration shall be given to water management practices that offer lower incremental costs than expanded or additional water supplies, considering all other evaluation factors.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The department of social and health services shall annually prepare and submit to the legislature a report summarizing the status of the plans adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(2) The requirements of this chapter shall be satisfied by any water conservation plan prepared to meet federal laws or regulations after the effective date of this section and which plan substantially meets the requirement of this chapter or by an existing water management or conservation plan which includes the contents of a plan required under the chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The state building code council shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 34.04 RCW for the purpose of adopting a revised state plumbing code. The revised code shall be designed to achieve the maximum water conservation benefits relative to buildings constructed or remodeled in the state. The council shall follow the legislature's guidelines as set forth in this section to design a revised code which requires low-volume plumbing fixtures in all new construction and all remodeling or repair involving replacement of plumbing fixtures. The revised code shall apply to all residential, hotel, motel, industrial, or commercial use buildings. The revised code shall take into account the availability of low-volume fixtures and be based on the following guidelines:

(a) Water closets, tank type!w× 3.5 gallons per flush.

(b) Water closets, flushometer or

flush valve type!w× 3.5 gallons per flush.

(d) Urinals, flushometer or

flush valve type!w× 3.5 gallons per flush.

(e) Showerheads!w× 3.5 gallons per minute.

(f) Lavatory and sink faucet!w× 3.0 gallons per minute.

(g) Except where designed and installed for use by the physically handicapped, lavatory faucets located in restrooms intended for use by the general public must be equipped with a metering valve designed to close by spring or water pressure when left unattended (self-closing).

(h) No urinal or water closet that operates on a continuous flow or continuous flush basis shall be permitted.

(2) The council shall publish the revision as proposed rules pursuant to chapter 34.04 RCW and provide for the rules to become effective by July 1, 1988. All cities, towns, and counties shall enforce the revised plumbing standards by July 1, 1988.

(3) The revisions to the state plumbing code shall supersede all local government codes. However, cities, towns, and counties may adopt more efficient water conservation plumbing fixture requirements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The department of ecology shall amend its rules relating to the submission of sewer plans by governmental agencies to require a discussion of water conservation measures considered or underway and their anticipated impact on public sewer service.

(2) The state building code council shall evaluate and proceed with necessary changes in the state plumbing code to allow for greywater reuse. The changes shall allow for the construction of residential plumbing systems designed to save water through the recycling of water collected through the shower and bath, bathroom sink, and washing machine. The greywater shall be used within the residence for flushing the toilet. Additional plumbing requirements, including separate toilet supply lines, washwater drain lines, recycle system vents and connections, and other plumbing related requirements deemed appropriate by the council, shall be developed.

(3) The department of social and health services, in conjunction with the department of ecology, shall develop an overall plan for wise use of the state's water resources. The plan shall include guidelines on methods to detect and address leaking distribution systems, water reuse and recycling, pricing and rate structure to achieve conservation, and necessary measuring of water supplies. Local governments shall incorporate guidelines into local plans.

(4) The department of social and health services shall review the need to establish health standards, guidelines, and monitoring and maintenance procedures for specific greywater systems and take appropriate action as necessary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 90 RCW.