Bill Text: HI SB901 | 2019 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse Systems.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-03-07 - Referred to WLH, FIN, referral sheet 27 [SB901 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-SB901-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	901
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ONSITE NON-POTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEMS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that as an island state, Hawai‘i has limited access to natural fresh water and unlike in other states, it is not economically feasible to ship in additional supplies when needed.  Competition for fresh water, increasing population, development pressures, and the impact of climate change require that Hawai‘i develop strategies for increasing water conservation, recharge, and reuse in order to ensure fresh water supplies for current and future generations.  To ensure fresh water security, the Hawai‘i fresh water initiative was developed as a statewide goal to increase water security by one hundred million gallons a day by 2030, which includes more than doubling the amount of wastewater currently being reused in the islands to provide an additional thirty million gallons a day in water availability.

     The legislature further finds that the use of recycled water for non-potable applications has proven safe and feasible under existing regulatory regimes in Hawai‘i and many other states, as well as in other industrialized countries of the world.  Onsite water reuse in high-rise and mid-rise developments in particular has proven feasible and safe in New York, California, Japan, Australia, and other locations.  The use of recycled water generated onsite at high-rise and mid-rise developments can replace a large percentage of the future potable water demand of such developments.

     In order to increase onsite water reuse at the development level, the legislature finds that guidance from the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems would be invaluable.  The National Blue Ribbon Commission advances best management practices to support the use of onsite non-potable water systems within individual buildings or at the local scale through a commitment to protect public health and the environment.  To support the adoption of onsite non-potable systems, the commission has developed tools and resources based on world class research and best practices underway in local communities.

     To help reach the 2030 goal for water reuse, in 2018 a water reuse task force was organized by the department of health based on House Concurrent Resolution No. 86, S.D. 1 (2018), with the purpose of identifying policies to help scale water reuse in the Hawaiian islands.  Task Force participants included representatives from the department of health, board of land and natural resources, commission on water resource management, board of agriculture, Honolulu board of water supply, Hawaii fresh water initiative, Hawaii Community Foundation, county representatives, and representatives from the house of representatives and the senate.  The legislature notes that this Act was informed and guided by the water reuse task force with the goal of safely, effectively, and economically scaling water reuse throughout Hawai‘i.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of health to adopt rules by January 1, 2021, for onsite non-potable water reuse systems.

     SECTION 2.  By January 1, 2021, the department of health shall adopt rules for onsite non-potable water reuse systems, based on the National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems' "A Guide for Developing and Implementing Regulations for Onsite Non-Potable Water Systems."

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

Report Title:

Department of Health; Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse Systems

 

Description:

Requires the department of health to adopt rules by January 1, 2021, for onsite non-potable water reuse systems.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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