What's Happening?
We are developing rules to establish risk-based water quality and construction standards for the on-site treatment of nonpotable water. The treated nonpotable water can then be put to beneficial end uses for things like toilet flushing, irrigation, and dust suppression.
Current work is underway on the required economic analyses. If you have input into costs and benefits of this rulemaking please reach out to Jocelyn Jones at mailto:jocelyn.jones@doh.wa.gov.
Why?
RCW 90.46.290 was enacted in 2021 requiring us, in consultation with the state building code council and the state association of plumbers and pipefitters, to adopt rules to establish risk-based water quality standards for the onsite treatment of nonpotable alternative water sources for nonpotable end uses and construction standards to adopt the risk-based water quality standards.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to implement RCW 90.46.290. These rules will allow for the use of locally issued building permits, rather than waivers, for the onsite treatment of nonpotable alternative water sources for nonpotable end uses. National standards will be considered as a part of this rulemaking.
These rules would apply to multifamily residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings, and district-scale projects including a mix of multifamily residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. Water sources include wastewater from all domestic fixtures, gray water, rooftop runoff, stormwater, foundation drainage, and AC condensate. Water treated to the established risk-based water quality standards may be used for end uses such as toilet and flushing, irrigation, and dust suppression.
Get Involved!
A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) comprised of impacted agencies and interested parties, including Department of Ecology, State Building Code Council, Washington State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, local health jurisdictions, municipalities, and design consultants has been working to draft rules. Review the draft rule!
Contact Jocelyn Jones, Rules Coordinator, if you would like to participate in the RAC.
| RAC Meeting Date | Link |
|---|---|
| October 12, 2021 | Presentation Slides |
| October 18, 2021 | Presentation Slides |
| April 21, 2022 | Presentation Slides |
- Resources for Onsite Non-Potable Water Programs
- Introduction to rulemaking
- Part 1: General provision
- Part 2: Planning, review, approval, and permitting process
- Part 3: Design, Log10 reduction targets and credits, and water quality limits
- Part 4: Operations
- Part 5: Monitoring, reporting, notification, and recordkeeping
- Part 6: Compliance and enforcement - Part 9: Fees
Rulemaking Files
|
Document |
What's This? |
Date Filed |
|---|---|---|
| Announces intent of rulemaking |
August 9, 2021 |
Contacts
- Jocelyn Jones, Rules Coordinator
- Steve Deem, Subject Matter Expert
- Mamdouh El-Aarag, Subject Matter Expert