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• Introduced by Sen. Karen Fraser, (D-Thurston County) (D) on January 23, 2009, to clarify and provide new definitions related to reclaimed water and gray water. This bill gives the rule making authority to either the department of health or ecology for determining acceptable uses and collections of reclaimed water. The bill also provides additional clarification for the oversight, violations and penalties for the execution of this act. (See also Companion HB 1482).
  • Referred to the Senate Environment, Water & Energy Committee on January 23, 2009.
    • Substitute offered in the Senate on February 11, 2009, to provides that a permittee may distribute and use the reclaimed water subject to the provisions of the permit. Requires that permit requirements for the distribution and use of greywater be established by the Department of Health. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 11, 2009.
    • Referred to the Senate Rules Committee on February 11, 2009.
• Passed in the Senate (45 to 1) on March 4, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 5, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee on March 5, 2009.
    • Amendment offered in the House on March 20, 2009, to add the requirement that the DOE must review comments from the Reclaimed Water Committee and Reclaimed Water and Water Rights Advisory Committee by November 30, 2009, and submit a recommendation to the Legislature on impairment and the standards for reclaimed water, as well as the positions of the stakeholders on those issues . The amendment passed in the House by voice vote on March 20, 2009.
  • Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 25, 2009.
• Passed in the House (98 to 0) on April 9, 2009. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 11, 2009, redefines several definitions relating to reclaimed water systems. Authorizes reclaimed water to be beneficially used for surface percolation if the reclaimed water meets state drinking water contaminant criteria. Provides rule-making authority for the Department of Ecology and the Department of Health in establishing a lead agency to carry out all the provisions of the reclaimed water code, including enforcement and permitting. Authorizes the Department of Ecology to use fees to administer reclaimed water system permits. Establishes permit provisions for a reclaimed water project. Allows the lead agency to enter and inspect the permitted properties to determine compliance with laws and rules. Authorizes penalties up to $10,000, imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both, for violations of the reclaimed water code.