SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5438
BYSenators Barr, Talmadge, Hansen, Benitz, Madsen, Williams, Murray and Bauer
Changing provisions relating to water conservation.
Senate Committee on Agriculture
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 2, 1989
Senate Staff:Bob Lee (786-7404)
AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 1989
BACKGROUND:
In 1988, legislation was enacted which established a multi-interest interim committee to look into ways to improve both instream and major out of stream water use efficiency. After several meetings during the summer, the Water Use Efficiency Committee published a report in late December which contains a large number and range of concepts. Some of the ideas and concepts are contained in this legislation.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Social and Health Services is required to include provisions for water conservation in rules which pertain to water system planning. Among the provisions are an estimate of the past, current and projected water use by separate category including residential, industrial, commercial and governmental. Other provisions to be included in water system plans are an identification of additional water conservation measures that could be undertaken, an implementation schedule for those conservation measures, and a description of the frequency and magnitude of projected water supply deficiencies.
The department every five years, beginning in 1991, is required to submit a report summarizing the status of the water conservation plans.
Each water purveyor within the boundaries of a critical water supply service area is required to develop and implement a rate structure designed to encourage water conservation. $100,000 is appropriated to the Department of Social and Health Services for the purpose of providing technical assistance to purveyors in developing these rate structures.
The State Building Code Council is required to adopt rules designed to achieve maximum water conservation benefits in all new or remodeled buildings. The council is required to follow standards for water use in toilets, shower heads and faucets. These standard will apply to residential, hotel, motel, industrial and commercial buildings. New rules shall be developed to become effective on July 1, 1991. The rules will be enforced by cities, towns and counties. Cities, towns and counties may establish more efficient requirements than the state standards but would have to pay the net additional costs to the consumer.
The State Building Code Council is required to allow plumbing for a reuse of greywater in residential plumbing systems. Greywater includes water collected from baths, kitchen and bathroom sinks, and washing machines. Greywater is required to be used for such things as flushing of toilets and watering of lawns.
The Department of Ecology is required to amend its rules relating to submission of sewer plans to require a discussion of water conservation measures considered and underway and anticipated impact on sewer service.
The Department of Ecology is directed to conduct a comprehensive study and report to the Legislature regarding the availability of new water sources including: (1) storage and reregulating structures; (2) water conservation measures; (3) opportunities to reuse water; (4) conjunctive use of service and groundwater; and (5) recharge of groundwater. $200,000 is appropriated for this study.
The Department of Ecology is to conduct a statewide evaluation of irrigated areas to select an area for development of a voluntary water conservation demonstration project. The conservation assessment will be conducted in the area taking into account several factors such as return flow characteristics. The conservation assessment shall be used as the basis for ranking of conservation elements based on relative costs, benefits and impacts. The conservation assessment shall also estimate the cost of implementing the plan and propose a specific basis for cost distribution.
A cross section of local water users, members of the public and tribal governments shall be formed into a conservation plan formulation committee. The proposed conservation plan may be approved by the department and the committee only after public comment has been received. $350,000 is appropriated to the Department of Ecology to establish this task force, to conduct conservation assessments and to begin a demonstration project. An additional $200,000 is appropriated from the Centennial Clean Water Act if the project is designed to improve water quality.
The Department of Ecology and the Superintendent of Public Instruction are to identify and recommend a program to educate the public about the need and methods of using water resources more efficiently. At a minimum, the program shall include several enumerated elements. $500,000 is appropriated for this purpose.
Appropriation: $100,000 to the Department of Social and Health Services; $1,225,000 to the Department of Ecology
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: requested