5606-S AMH CHAN H3050.2

SSB 5606 - H AMD 835 WITHDRAWN 4/14/95

By Representatives Chandler and Mastin

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "Sec. 1.  RCW 90.46.005 and 1992 c 204 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that by encouraging the use of reclaimed water while assuring the health and safety of all Washington citizens and the protection of its environment, the state of Washington will continue to use water in the best interests of present and future generations.

    To facilitate the ((opportunity to)) use of reclaimed water as soon as is practicable, the legislature encourages the cooperative efforts of the public and private sectors and the use of pilot projects to effectuate the goals of this chapter.  The legislature further directs the department of health and the department of ecology to coordinate efforts towards developing an efficient and streamlined process for creating and implementing processes for the use of reclaimed water.

It is hereby declared that the people of the state of Washington have a primary interest in the development of facilities to provide reclaimed water to replace potable water in nonpotable applications, to supplement existing surface and ground water supplies, and to assist in meeting the future water requirements of the state.

The legislature further finds and declares that the utilization of reclaimed water by local communities for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and fish and wildlife habitat creation and enhancement purposes, including wetland enhancement, will contribute to the peace, health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state of Washington.  To the extent reclaimed water is appropriate and available for beneficial uses, it should be used where feasible to supplement existing water supplies without threatening existing resources or public health in order to preserve potable water for drinking purposes.

The legislature further finds and declares that the use of reclaimed water is not inconsistent with the policy of antidegradation of state waters announced in other state statutes, including the water pollution control act, chapter 90.48 RCW and the water resources act, chapter 90.54 RCW.

It is the intent of the legislature that the department of ecology and the department of health undertake the necessary steps to encourage the development of water reclamation facilities so that reclaimed water may be made available to help meet the growing water requirements of the state.

The legislature further finds and declares that reclaimed water facilities are water pollution control facilities as defined in chapter 70.146 RCW and are eligible for financial assistance as provided in chapter 70.146 RCW.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 90.46.010 and 1992 c 204 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

    (1) "Greywater" means ((sewage)) wastewater having the consistency and strength of residential domestic type wastewater.  Greywater includes wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures, but does not include toilet or urinal waters.

    (2) "Land application" means application of treated effluent for purposes of irrigation or landscape enhancement for residential, business, and governmental purposes.

    (3) "Person" means any state, individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, governmental subdivision, governmental agency, municipality, copartnership, association, firm, trust estate, or any other legal entity whatever.

    (4) "Reclaimed water" means effluent derived in any part from sewage from a wastewater treatment system that has been adequately and reliably treated, so that as a result of that treatment, it is suitable for a ((direct)) beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is no longer considered wastewater.

    (5) "Sewage" means water-carried human wastes((, including kitchen, bath, and laundry waste)) from residences, buildings, industrial and commercial establishments, or other places, together with such ground water infiltration, surface waters, or industrial wastewater as may be present.

    (6) "User" means any person who uses reclaimed water.

    (7) "Wastewater" means water and wastes discharged from homes, businesses, and industry to the sewer system.

(8) "Beneficial use," as used in this chapter, means the use of reclaimed water, that has been transported from the point of production to the point of use without an intervening discharge to the waters of the state, for a beneficial purpose.

(9) "Direct recharge" means the controlled subsurface addition of water directly to the ground water basin that results in the replenishment of ground water.

(10) "Ground water recharge criteria" means the contaminant criteria found in the drinking water quality standards adopted by the state board of health pursuant to chapter 43.20 RCW and the department of health pursuant to chapter 70.119A RCW.

(11) "Planned ground water recharge project" means any reclaimed water project designed for the purpose of recharging ground water, via direct recharge or surface spreading.

(12) "Reclamation criteria" means the criteria set forth in the water reclamation and reuse interim standards and subsequent revisions adopted by the department of ecology and the department of health.

(13) "Streamflow augmentation" means the discharge of reclaimed water to rivers and streams of the state or other surface water bodies, but not wetlands.

(14) "Surface percolation" means the controlled application of water to the ground surface for the purpose of recharging ground water.

(15) "Wetland or wetlands" means areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil conditions.  Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.  No agency shall use a delineation process for what constitutes a wetland that is more stringent than that adopted by the United States army corps of engineers.

(16) "Man-made wetlands" means a wetland intentionally created from a nonwetland site to produce or replace natural habitat.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Reclaimed water may be beneficially used for surface percolation provided the reclaimed water meets the ground water recharge criteria as measured in ground water beneath or down gradient of the recharge project site, and has been incorporated into a sewer or water comprehensive plan, as applicable, adopted by the applicable local government and approved by the department of health or department of ecology as applicable.

    (2) If the state ground water recharge criteria as defined by RCW 90.46.010 do not contain a standard for a constituent or contaminant, the department of ecology shall establish a discharge limit consistent with the goals of this chapter.

    (3) Reclaimed water that does not meet the ground water recharge criteria may be beneficially used for surface percolation where the department of ecology has specifically authorized such use at such lower standard.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Reclaimed water may be beneficially used for discharge into man-made wetlands provided the reclaimed water meets the class A or B reclaimed water standards as defined in the reclamation criteria, and the discharge is incorporated into a sewer or water comprehensive plan, as applicable, adopted by the applicable local government and approved by the department of health or department of ecology as applicable.

    (2) Reclaimed water that does not meet the class A or B reclaimed water standards may be beneficially used for discharge into man-made wetlands where the department of ecology has specifically authorized such use at such lower standards.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    Reclaimed water intended for beneficial reuse may be discharged for streamflow augmentation provided the reclaimed water meets the requirements of the federal water pollution control act, chapter 90.48 RCW, and is incorporated into a sewer or water comprehensive plan, as applicable, adopted by the applicable local government and approved by the department of health or department of ecology as applicable.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    The department of ecology shall, in consultation with the department of health, adopt a single set of standards, procedures, and guidelines, on or before December 31, 1996, for direct recharge using reclaimed water.  The standards shall address both water quality considerations and avoidance of property damage from excessive recharge.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    The department of ecology shall, in consultation with the department of health, adopt a single set of standards, procedures, and guidelines, on or before June 30, 1996, for discharge of reclaimed water to wetlands.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8.  A new section is added to chapter 90.46 RCW to read as follows:

    On or before December 31, 1995, the department of ecology and department of health shall, in consultation with local governments and local interested parties, jointly review and, if required, propose amendments to chapter 372-32 WAC to resolve conflicts between the development of reclaimed water projects in the Puget Sound region and chapter 372-32 WAC.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9.  The department of ecology and the department of health shall report on the progress of the implementation of this act to the members of the agriculture and ecology committee of the house of representatives and the members of the ecology and parks committee of the senate by December 15, 1995.

    Sec. 10.  RCW 90.46.050 and 1992 c 204 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (((1))) The department of health shall, before ((May 1, 1992)) July 1, 1995, form an advisory committee, in coordination with the department of ecology and the department of agriculture, which will provide technical assistance in the development of standards, procedures, and guidelines required by this chapter.  Such committee shall be composed of individuals from the public water and wastewater utilities, landscaping enhancement industry, commercial and industrial application community, and any other persons deemed technically helpful by the department of health.

    (((2) The department of health shall report to the joint select committee on water resource policy by December 1, 1992, on the fee structure which has been recommended under RCW 90.46.030(3) and review fees authorized under RCW 90.46.040(3).))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11.  Sections 1 through 10 of this act shall not be construed as affecting any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this act or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor as affecting any proceeding instituted under those sections.

    Sec. 12.  RCW 90.03.380 and 1991 c 347 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The right to the use of water which has been applied to a beneficial use in the state shall be and remain appurtenant to the land or place upon which the same is used:  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That ((said)) the right may be transferred to another or to others and become appurtenant to any other land or place of use without loss of priority of right theretofore established if such change can be made without detriment or injury to existing rights.  The point of diversion of water for beneficial use or the purpose of use may be changed, if such change can be made without detriment or injury to existing rights.  Before any transfer of such right to use water or change of the point of diversion of water or change of purpose of use can be made, any person having an interest in the transfer or change, shall file a written application therefor with the department, and ((said)) the application shall not be granted until notice of ((said)) the application ((shall be)) is published as provided in RCW 90.03.280.  If it shall appear that such transfer or such change may be made without injury or detriment to existing rights, the department shall issue to the applicant a certificate in duplicate granting the right for such transfer or for such change of point of diversion or of use.  The certificate so issued shall be filed and be made a record with the department and the duplicate certificate issued to the applicant may be filed with the county auditor in like manner and with the same effect as provided in the original certificate or permit to divert water.

(2) If an application for change proposes to transfer water rights from one irrigation district to another, the department shall, before publication of notice, receive concurrence from each of the irrigation districts that such transfer or change will not adversely affect the ability to deliver water to other landowners or impair the financial or operational integrity of either of the districts.

(3) A change in place of use by an individual water user or users of water provided by an irrigation district need only receive approval for the change from the board of directors of the district if the use of water continues within the irrigation district.  The board of directors may approve such a change if the board determines that the change:  Will not adversely affect the district's ability to deliver water to other landowners; will not require the construction by the district of diversion or drainage facilities unless the board finds that the construction by the district is in the interest of the district; will not impair the financial or operational integrity of the district; and is consistent with the contractual obligations of the district.

(4) Subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section do not apply to a change regarding a portion of the water governed by a water right that is made surplus to the beneficial uses exercised under the right through the implementation of practices or technologies, including but not limited to conveyance practices or technologies, which are more efficient or more water use efficient than those under which the right was perfected or through a change in the crops grown under the water right.  The use within an irrigation district of water supplied by the district and made surplus as provided in this subsection shall be regulated solely as provided by the board of directors of the irrigation district except as follows:  Such a use requires the approval of the board of directors of the irrigation district or must otherwise be authorized by the board; the board may approve or authorize such a use only if the use does not impair the financial or operational integrity of the district; and water made surplus through a change in the crops grown with district-supplied water is not available for use as a matter of right by the individual water user making the change, but may be used by the board for the benefit of the district generally.  The district's board of directors may approve or otherwise authorize under this subsection uses of such surplus water that result in the total irrigated acreage within the district exceeding the irrigated acreage recorded with the department for the district's water right if the board notifies the department of the change in the irrigated acreage within the district.  Such a notification provides a change in the district's water right and, upon receiving the notification, the department shall revise its records for the district's right to reflect the change.  A change or use authorized by or under this subsection shall be made without loss of priority of the right.  The use of water other than irrigation district-supplied water that is made surplus as provided in this subsection is governed by section 13 of this act.

(5) This section shall not apply to trust water rights acquired by the state through the funding of water conservation projects under chapter 90.38 RCW or RCW 90.42.010 through 90.42.070.

(6) The department may not initiate relinquishment proceedings under chapter 90.14 RCW regarding a water right for which an application for a transfer or change is filed under this section for a period of two years after the date the department receives the filing.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13.  A new section is added to chapter 90.03 RCW to read as follows:

    If a portion of the water governed by a water right is made surplus to the beneficial uses exercised under the right through the implementation of practices or technologies, including but not limited to conveyance practices or technologies, which are more efficient or more water use efficient than those under which the right was perfected or through a change in the crops grown under the water right, the right to use the surplus water may be changed to use on other lands owned by the holder of the water right that are contiguous to the lands upon which the use of the water was authorized by the right before such a change.  Such a change shall be made without loss of priority of the right.  The holder of the water right shall notify the department of such a change.  The notification provides a change in the holder's water right and, upon receiving the notification, the department shall revise its records for the water right to reflect the change.

    This section does not apply to water supplied by an irrigation district.

    Sec. 14.  RCW 90.44.100 and 1987 c 109 s 113 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) After an application to, and upon the issuance by the department of an amendment to the appropriate permit or certificate of ground water right, the holder of a valid right to withdraw public ground waters may, without losing his priority of right, construct wells or other means of withdrawal at a new location in substitution for or in addition to those at the original location, or he may change the manner or the place of use of the water((:  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That such)).  An amendment shall be issued only after publication of notice of the application and findings as prescribed in the case of an original application.  Such amendment shall be issued by the department only on the conditions that:  (((1))) (a) The additional or substitute well or wells shall tap the same body of public ground water as the original well or wells; (((2))) (b) use of the original well or wells shall be discontinued upon construction of the substitute well or wells; (((3))) (c) the construction of an additional well or wells shall not enlarge the right conveyed by the original permit or certificate; and (((4))) (d) other existing rights shall not be impaired.  The department may specify an approved manner of construction and shall require a showing of compliance with the terms of the amendment, as provided in RCW 90.44.080 in the case of an original permit.

(2) This section does not apply to a change in use of a portion of the water governed by a ground water right that is made surplus to the beneficial uses exercised under the right through the implementation of practices or technologies, including but not limited to conveyance practices or technologies, which are more efficient or more water use efficient than those under which the right was perfected or through a change in the crops grown under the water right.  RCW 90.03.380(4) and section 13 of this act apply to water made surplus as provided in this subsection.

(3) The department may not initiate relinquishment proceedings under chapter 90.14 RCW regarding a water right for which an application for a transfer or change is filed under this section for a period of two years after the date the department receives the filing.

    Sec. 15.  RCW 90.03.290 and 1994 c 264 s 84 are each amended to read as follows:

    When an application complying with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules and regulations of the department has been filed, the same shall be placed on record with the department, and it shall be its duty to investigate the application, and determine what water, if any, is available for appropriation, and find and determine to what beneficial use or uses it can be applied.  If it is proposed to appropriate water for irrigation purposes, the department shall investigate, determine and find what lands are capable of irrigation by means of water found available for appropriation.  If it is proposed to appropriate water for the purpose of power development, the department shall investigate, determine and find whether the proposed development is likely to prove detrimental to the public interest, having in mind the highest feasible use of the waters belonging to the public.  If the application does not contain, and the applicant does not promptly furnish sufficient information on which to base such findings, the department may issue a preliminary permit, for a period of not to exceed three years, requiring the applicant to make such surveys, investigations, studies, and progress reports, as in the opinion of the department may be necessary.  If the applicant fails to comply with the conditions of the preliminary permit, it and the application or applications on which it is based shall be automatically canceled and the applicant so notified.  If the holder of a preliminary permit shall, before its expiration, file with the department a verified report of expenditures made and work done under the preliminary permit, which, in the opinion of the department, establishes the good faith, intent and ability of the applicant to carry on the proposed development, the preliminary permit may, with the approval of the governor, be extended, but not to exceed a maximum period of five years from the date of the issuance of the preliminary permit.  The department shall make and file as part of the record in the matter, written findings of fact concerning all things investigated, and if it shall find that there is water available for appropriation for a beneficial use, and the appropriation thereof as proposed in the application will not impair existing rights or be detrimental to the public welfare, it shall issue a permit stating the amount of water to which the applicant shall be entitled and the beneficial use or uses to which it may be applied:  PROVIDED, That where the water applied for is to be used for irrigation purposes, it shall become appurtenant only to such land as may be reclaimed thereby to the full extent of the soil for agricultural purposes.  But where there is no unappropriated water in the proposed source of supply, or where the proposed use conflicts with existing rights, or threatens to prove detrimental to the public interest, having due regard to the highest feasible development of the use of the waters belonging to the public, it shall be duty of the department to reject such application and to refuse to issue the permit asked for.  If the permit is refused because of conflict with existing rights and such applicant shall acquire same by purchase or condemnation under RCW 90.03.040, the department may thereupon grant such permit.  Any application may be approved for a less amount of water than that applied for, if there exists substantial reason therefor, and in any event shall not be approved for more water than can be applied to beneficial use for the purposes named in the application.  In determining whether or not a permit shall issue upon any application, it shall be the duty of the department to investigate all facts relevant and material to the application.  After the department approves said application in whole or in part and before any permit shall be issued thereon to the applicant, such applicant shall pay the fee provided in RCW 90.03.470:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That in the event a permit is issued by the department upon any application, it shall be its duty to notify the director of fish and wildlife of such issuance.

This section does not apply to changes made under section 13 of this act or to applications for transfers or changes made under RCW 90.03.380 or 90.44.100.

    Sec. 16.  RCW 90.44.445 and 1993 c 99 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    In any acreage expansion program adopted by the department as an element of a ground water management program, the authorization for a water right certificate holder to participate in the program shall be on an annual basis for the first two years.  After the two-year period, the department may authorize participation for ten-year periods.  The department may authorize participation for ten-year periods for certificate holders who have already participated in an acreage expansion program for two years.  The department may require annual certification that the certificate holder has complied with all requirements of the program.  The department may terminate the authority of a certificate holder to participate in the program for one calendar year if the certificate holder fails to comply with the requirements of the program.

This section applies only in an area with a ground water area or subarea management program in effect on the effective date of this section.  The provisions of section 13 of this act, RCW 90.03.380, and 90.44.100 apply to transfers, changes, and amendments to permits or rights for the beneficial use of ground water in any other area.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately."

SSB 5606 - H AMD

By

    On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "wastewater;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 90.46.005, 90.46.010, 90.46.050, 90.03.380, 90.44.100, 90.03.290, and 90.44.445; adding new sections to chapter 90.46 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 90.03 RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency."

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