Title: An act relating to exempting the use of certain water storage facilities from the water code permitting requirements.

Brief Description: Exempting the use of certain water storage facilities from the water code permitting requirements.

Sponsors: Representatives Romero, Dickerson, Schoesler, Hunt, Linville, Eickmeyer, Lantz, Wallace and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Exempts certain rain barrels and similar facilities and the use of water from them from provisions of the water code requiring reservoir and water use permits.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Holmquist, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Kristiansen, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Eickmeyer, Hunt, McDermott, Orcutt and Quall.

The water code requires reservoir permits for both surface reservoirs for water and for the storage of water in an underground formation for subsequent use as part of an underground artificial storage and recovery project. A water right permit, called a "secondary" permit, is also required for the use of the water stored in a surface reservoir.

A reservoir permit is not required for a rain barrel, cistern, or other similar facility for capturing runoff from roofs, paved areas, and other hard surfaces on a single residential, commercial, or industrial property or public facility. This exemption applies if the total amount of water storage does not exceed 10,000 gallons and the water stored is intended to be put to beneficial use.

Neither a water right nor such a right in the form of a secondary permit is required for the use of the water stored in such an exempted facility.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This is one of the recommendations of the Green Building Task Force created by the Legislature last year. The bill would fix the water permit problem. These types of facilities may help address storm water problems.

(Commented) Roof-top harvesting of storm water is part of King County's storm water management plan.