AWWA SOURCES59220

In 1992, The Washington State Legislature promulgated the Reclaimed Water Use Act (Chapter 90.46 RCW). This legislation ushered in a new era of integrated water and wastewater management to meet the growing water demands of our state. The legislature directed the Department of Ecology (Ecology) to encourage water reuse, to establish standards in consultation with the state Department of Health, to build on the work already done in other states that have successful programs, and to streamline implementation (permitting) processes. The initial standards were modeled after other states, primarily California, and finalized in 1997. Washington also funded five demonstration projects within the state to provide experience necessary to test various facets of the new standards. There are currently 17 projects in operation with approximately 20 more in various stages of planning, design or construction. As the primary permitting and funding agency, Ecology has struggled in this implementation phase. Constraints on the agency include limited staff, limited funding, the shift from the previous way of doing business, the complexity and diversity of the proposed projects, and limited dollars for infrastructure funding. In addition, the program needs to relate to the specific and unique requirements of Washington State, including varied climate, geology, economy, protection of instream flows for salmonids, wetlands, and numerous small communities. The state is currently in the process of identifying and determining how to best implement our priorities. These challenges include technical, social, public health, environmental, economic, financial and legal issues. This paper addresses the experience of Washington State in implementing this program and the steps we are taking to build a foundation for future success. It is designed to provide a model to help other states through their own journey of customizing water reclamation and reuse to meet their needs. Includes 13 references, tables.