THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1225

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER RECLAMATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that as an island state, Hawaii has limited access to natural fresh water supplies.  Amid increasing population and development, sustainable access to fresh water is key to the State's future, and innovative water conservation options need to be explored.

     The process of water scalping involves the extraction of valuable, usable water from a sewerage network.  By treating this extracted water to achieve varying degrees of water safety and quality, otherwise unused and wasted water is able to be reclaimed and put to beneficial uses, such as outdoor irrigation of golf courses, parks, and landscaped areas, and various other potable, non-potable, and indirect-potable uses.  This decentralized method of water treatment and conservation has already been successfully implemented in several Australian cities and is being explored as an option in several areas of the United States, including California, Arizona, and Washington.

     The purpose of this Act is to explore the sustainability and conservation potential of water scalping in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Conducting a feasibility study on the use of water scalping technology in state facilities; and

     (2)  Creating a water scalping pilot project to implement water scalping technology in new and existing state facilities.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of accounting and general services shall conduct a feasibility study on the use of water scalping technology in state facilities.  In conducting the feasibility study, the department of accounting and general services shall coordinate with the department of health and agencies from each county with jurisdiction over wastewater management.

     (b)  The feasibility study shall include an analysis of the following:

     (1)  Potential benefit to the State from the widespread adoption of water scalping technology;

     (2)  Compatibility of water scalping technology with existing state infrastructure;

     (3)  Cost projections to:

         (A)  Upgrade existing facilities to incorporate water scalping technology; and

         (B)  Incorporate water scalping technology in new construction plans for state facilities; and

     (4)  Incentives for private industry to utilize water scalping technology in ways that benefit the State.

     (c)  The department of accounting and general services shall submit to the legislature a report of findings and recommendations no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.  The report shall include findings and recommendations on:

     (1)  Specific facilities or areas where water scalping technology should be deployed;

     (2)  The net benefit, given cost considerations, of mandating the use of water scalping technology in state facilities;

     (3)  Cost and practicability for the widespread deployment of water scalping throughout the State, including public acceptance of the technology; and

     (4)  Requests for data and recommendations for areas of inquiry or investigation within the pilot project implemented pursuant to section 3 of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  (a)  The department of accounting and general services shall implement a four-year water scalping pilot project in conjunction with the department of health and agencies from each county that have jurisdiction over wastewater management.

     (b)  The pilot project shall:

     (1)  Develop criteria for implementing water scalping technology in existing state facilities; and

     (2)  Facilitate the installation and operation of water scalping technology in designated state facilities.

     The water scalping pilot project shall end on June 30, 2019.

     (c)  The water scalping pilot project shall submit:

     (1)  A progress report of the criteria established and technology operated under subsection (b), including the project's observed and projected impact on water conservation and wastewater management, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017; and

     (2)  A final report on the operations and findings of the pilot project, including any recommendations for legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2020.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to implement the pilot project established in section 3 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Water Scalping; Sewer Mining; Pilot Project; Feasibility Study; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds to the department of accounting and general services to establish a water scalping feasibility study and four-year pilot project.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.