Publication Summary

Realizing a need to provide more sustainable water resources, the Washington State Legislature passed the Reclaimed Water Act of 1992. This statute, Chapter 90.46 RCW, provides a framework and methodology to use the state′s water resources more wisely by recognizing that wastewater from municipal treatment plants is an asset that can be reclaimed for a wide variety of uses.

Realizing a need to provide more sustainable water resources, the Washington State Legislature passed the Reclaimed Water Act of 1992. This statute, Chapter 90.46 RCW, provides a framework and methodology to use the state′s water resources more wisely by recognizing that wastewater from municipal treatment plants is an asset that can be reclaimed for a wide variety of uses.

To encourage the use of reclaimed water as soon as possible, the legislature directed the Departments of Ecology (Ecology) and Health (Health) to jointly develop standards and implementation processes. The Water Reclamation and Reuse Standards were completed in September 1997 and are some of the most comprehensive in the United States. They provide design, treatment, and use criteria assuring environmental protection – as well as public health and safety. Reclaimed water meeting the standards may be used for irrigation, commercial and industrial uses, recharging our aquifers, improving the water quality in our rivers and streams, enhancing wetland habitat and maintaining stream flows for the benefit of fish and wildlife.

Building on the process with the passage of Substitute House Bill 1817, the 1997 State Legislature directed Ecology and Health to establish and administer a reclaimed water demonstration program. Amendments to Chapter RCW 90.46 provided for a legislative allocation of $10 million dollars from the Centennial Clean Water Fund to help fund five demonstration projects. RCW 90.46.110 (5) states that upon completion of the projects, Ecology shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of the program. This report is submitted in fulfillment of that requirement. The Department of Health and representatives of the five demonstration projects provided information that was useful in the completion of this report.