THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

454

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  According to the waste water branch of the department of health in a report, "Guidelines for the Reuse of Gray Water", dated June 22, 2009, gray water from residences may be reused to irrigate the landscape of the property that the gray water was generated from if certain conditions are satisfied.

     The legislature finds that the use of gray water for landscape irrigation purposes should be increased in the interests of fresh or potable water conservation.

     The purpose of this Act is to encourage the widespread reuse of gray water to irrigate lawns and gardens.

     SECTION 2.  Section 342D-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Gray water" means any untreated wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste.  Gray water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, and bathroom wash basins and water from clothes washers and laundry tubs; provided that the water is not contaminated with any household hazardous waste as defined in section 342G-1, hazardous waste as defined in section 342J-2, or any contaminant the department deems inappropriate. Gray water excludes wastewater from food preparation sinks or dishwashers."

     SECTION 3.  Section 342D-70, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§342D-70[]]  Use of gray water [from residential units] for irrigation purposes.  (a)  The department may authorize any county to implement a gray water recycling program within its jurisdiction.  The gray water recycling program shall be limited to the use of gray water [from residential units] for the purpose of irrigating lawns and gardens.  All use of gray water shall conform to the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code, as copyrighted and published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, including its appendices.

     (b)  The county seeking authorization shall submit to the department for its approval prior to implementation a detailed [residential] gray water recycling plan, including rules and procedures for the proposed program.  The plan shall address the appropriateness of the program for the geographic area, the environmental impact of the program on the geographic area, the cost of the program, and any other factors deemed relevant by the department.  The department may revoke the authorization at any time.

     The department and the counties are encouraged to promote widespread use of gray water consistent with subsection (a) in the interests of water conservation.  Any guidelines for the use of gray water for irrigation purposes shall be liberally construed so as to allow widespread use of gray water.

     (c)  For the purposes of this section, "gray water" [means any water from the domestic plumbing system of a residence except toilets; provided that the discharged gray water is not contaminated with any household hazardous waste as defined in section 342G-1 or any other contaminant the department deems inappropriate.] shall have the same meaning as in section 342D‑1."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Water Pollution; Gray Water; Irrigation

 

Description:

Encourages the department of health and the counties to promote widespread use of gray water in the interests of water conservation.  Requires use of gray water to conform to the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code.  Defines gray water.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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