Brief Description: Concerning the use of reclaimed water.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Linville and McCoy).

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

Background:

Reclaimed water is an effluent derived from a wastewater treatment system that has been treated to be suitable for a beneficial 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 Department of Health issues permits to water generators for commercial or industrial uses of reclaimed water. The Department of Ecology issues reclaimed water permits for land applications of reclaimed water. The departments of Health and Ecology were required to adopt a single set of standards, procedures, and guidelines for industrial and commercial uses and land applications of reclaimed water. These standards were adopted in the mid-1990s and resulted from consultation with an advisory committee of interested stakeholders.

Summary:

By no later than the end of 2010, the departments of Ecology and Health are required to adopt rules for reclaimed water use. These rules must be adopted in consultation with an advisory committee made up of interested stakeholders.

The rules must address all aspects of reclaimed water use, including industrial uses, surface percolation, and stream flow augmentation. Two interim progress reports must be delivered to the Legislature prior to the final adoption in 2010.

Upon final adoption, the roles played by the Department of Health in the management and regulation of reclaimed water, other than graywater, will be conditional on the outcome of the rules adopted by the Department of Ecology. The Department of Health's new roles will be defined by the adopted rules.

The definition of "constructed treatment wetlands" is changed to exclude stormwater and wastewater and include polishing and aesthetics.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   78   19
Senate   46   0   (Senate amended)
House   98   0   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006