Brief Description: Concerning reclaimed water permits.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Hinkle, B. Sullivan, Buck and Haler).

House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade
Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Environment

Background:

Reclaimed water is an effluent derived from a wastewater treatment system that has been treated to be suitable for a beneficial use or a controlled use that otherwise would not occur. Reclaimed water may be used for a variety of nonpotable water purposes, including irrigation, agricultural uses, industrial and commercial uses, streamflow augmentation, dust control, fire suppression, surface percolation, and discharge into constructed wetlands.

The Washington Department of Health (DOH) and the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) were required to adopt a single set of standards, procedures, and guidelines for industrial and commercial uses and land applications of reclaimed water. The DOH issues permits to water generators for commercial or industrial uses of reclaimed water. The DOE issues reclaimed water permits for land applications of reclaimed water. A reclaimed water permit for these types of uses may only be issued to a municipal, quasi-municipal, or other governmental entity or to the holder of a water quality waste discharge permit.

Summary:

A private utility may obtain a reclaimed water permit for industrial and commercial uses and land applications of reclaimed water. "Private utility" is defined for this purpose to include all private and public utilities that provide sewerage and/or water service and do not qualify as municipal corporations. A private utility may be owned by a corporation, a cooperative association, mutual organization, or an individual person(s).

Before deciding whether to issue a reclaimed water permit to a private utility, the DOH or the DOE may require information that is reasonable and necessary to determine whether the private utility has the financial and other resources to assure the reliability, continuity, and supervision of the reclaimed water facility.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   0
Senate   49   0

Effective: July 24, 2005