FINAL BILL REPORT

                 2SHB 1817

                         C 355 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing reclaimed water demonstration projects.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by  Representatives Chandler, Kessler, Alexander, Linville, DeBolt, O'Brien, Skinner, Wolfe, McMorris, Ogden, D. Sommers, Hankins, Cooke and Mason).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  The Legislature has adopted legislation to encourage the use of reclaimed water.  Reclaimed water can be used in many instances instead of water that is otherwise suitable for drinking purposes.  Funding demonstration projects that are varied in nature is expected to help provide the experience necessary to refine the technologies so that reclaimed water can be used in a more cost-effective manner.

Summary:  The Department of Ecology is directed to establish and administer a reclaimed water demonstration program in cooperation with the Department of Health.  The demonstration program consists of five demonstration projects.

The Department of Ecology must enter into a grant agreement with each of the demonstration project jurisdictions by September 30, 1997.  Each agreement must include reporting requirements, time-lines, and a fund disbursement schedule based upon agreed project milestones.  The Department of Ecology must report to the appropriate legislative committees on the results of the program upon completion of the projects.

Pilot projects that discharge or deliver reclaimed water into federal reclamation project or irrigation district facilities must meet the requirements of the facilities' operating entity for such discharges or deliveries.  No irrigation district is liable for any damages to persons or property arising from the demonstration projects.

The five reclaimed water demonstration projects are:

(1)the city of Ephrata will use Class A reclaimed water for surface spreading to recharge the groundwater and reduce the nitrate concentrations that exceed standards for drinking water;

(2)Lincoln County will study using reclaimed water to transport 22 million gallons a day from Spokane to water sources that will put water back into long depleted streambeds;

(3)Royal City will replace an interim emergency sprayfield by using 100 percent of its discharge as Class A reclaimed water to enhance local wetlands and lakes in the winter and potentially irrigate a golf course;

(4)the city of Sequim will implement a tertiary treatment system and reuse 100 percent of its wastewater to reopen an existing shellfish closure area, improve streamflows into the Dungeness River, and provide a sustainable water supply for irrigation; and

(5)the city of Yelm will use 100 percent of its wastewater to provide alternative water supply for irrigation and industrial use to offset increased demands for water, protect Nisqually River chum salmon runs, and develop experimental artificial wetlands to test low-cost treatment options.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate451(Senate amended)

House890(House concurred)

Effective:July 27, 1997