SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6391

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES,

                               FEBRUARY 6, 1992

Brief Description:  Regulating the usage of reclaimed water.

SPONSORS: Senators Barr, Madsen, Talmadge, Bailey, Williams and Newhouse

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6391 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Gaspard, Hansen, and Newhouse.

Staff:  Russ Lehman (786‑7449)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 1992; February 6, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Legislation passed in 1989 required the Department of Health to, contingent upon the availability of funds, encourage the use of reclaimed water.  Many states, including California and Oregon, presently have adopted standards which allow the use of reclaimed water.  A number of large utilities and private sector users of large quantities of water recently requested the state to expedite the development of re-use standards so that projects currently in the planning stages may incorporate re-use capabilities.

SUMMARY:

The original bill was not considered.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department of Health and the Department of Ecology will coordinate their efforts to develop a streamlined process for adopting standards and establishing a permit process for the use of reclaimed water.  The departments will develop interim guidelines by July 1992 for use in pilot projects presently in the planning stages.  Permanent standards will be adopted by August 1993.

By August 1994, the departments will report together to the Legislature on the program's progress and on a plan for the use of greywater.  The departments will make further recommendations as to whether current uses of reclaimed water, which are exempt from compliance until August 1994, should be required to receive a permit and to comply with the new standards.

Appropriation:  none 

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The potential for water savings and conservation through the use of reclaimed water is dramatic.  There are a number of projects currently in the planning stages which hope to utilize reclamation technology.  The agencies are confident that together with the help of the utilities, standards and permitting processes will be streamlined and in place in time to incorporate reuse into imminent projects.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

None

TESTIFIED:  Eric Slagle, Dave Clark, DOH; Kathleen Collins, AWC; Judd Kirk; Jim Helstrom (Master Builders Assn.; Judith Turpin, WEC; K.O. Rosenberg, WSAC