REPORT TITLE: Wastewater Reuse DESCRIPTION: Directs the director of DOH to give priority to adopting rules to establish the definition and requirements of different categories of recycled water and reclaimed water as well as recognize different levels of water treatment and purpose. Defines "recycled water" and "reclaimed water" as treated wastewater that by design is intended or used for a beneficial purpose. (HB1548 CD1) 1548 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B. NO. H.D. 1 TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII C.D. 1 ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WASTEWATER REUSE. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many areas of Hawaii 2 are blessed with an abundance of freshwater. With increasing 3 demands on Hawaii's natural resources, however, the future 4 sustainability of freshwater is of great concern. These 5 increasing demands may soon outpace the available freshwater 6 supply. 7 In other states where freshwater is in short supply, much 8 attention is given to the reuse of wastewater through water 9 recycling. The legislature finds that Hawaii should follow a 10 similar path and encourage the use of recycled water, especially 11 for agricultural and irrigation uses. Hawaii must proactively 12 develop policies that encourage and support the reuse of treated 13 wastewater effluent for beneficial purposes. State laws and 14 rules need to be developed, amended, and clarified to encourage 15 the reuse of water. Regulation and mitigation of possible health 16 and environmental risks of recycling processed wastewater must be 17 addressed. State laws and rules must also authorize the 18 distribution and sale of recycled water and ensure that the cost 19 of recycled water is reasonable, fair, and economically feasible 20 for both the processor and water consumer. Page 2 1548 H.B. NO. H.D. 1 S.D. 1 C.D. 1 1 SECTION 2. Section 342D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is 2 amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted 3 and to read as follows: 4 ""Recycled water" and "reclaimed water" mean treated 5 wastewater that by design is intended or used for a beneficial 6 purpose." 7 SECTION 3. The director of health shall give priority to 8 adopting rules, in accordance with chapter 91, Hawaii Revised 9 Statutes, to: 10 (1) Establish the definition and requirements of different 11 categories of recycled water and reclaimed water; and 12 (2) Recognize different levels of water treatment and 13 purpose. 14 SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. 15 SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.