ANALYSIS OF HB 1817

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                        February 17, 1997

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.  It is suggested that by funding demonstration projects that are varied in nature, it will 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.  The agreement must include reporting requirements, timelines, 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.

The five reclaimed water demonstration projects are:

     (1)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 sources that will put water back into long depleted streambeds, and the water will eventually become part of the Columbia basin project water;

     (3) Royal City will replace an interim emergency sprayfield by using 100% of its discharge as Class A reclaimed water to augment summer irrigation and enhance local wetlands and lakes in the winter;

     (4) The city of Sequim will implement a tertiary treatment system and reuse 100% 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% 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.

     Appropriation:  $10,000,000 is appropriated to the Department of Ecology for the demonstration projects.  $150,000 is appropriated to the Department to monitor the progress of the projects and further refine the standards.