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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
454 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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, for water conservation purposes, in accordance with the conditions applied by the department of health for the use of gray water for irrigation purposes.
SECTION 2. 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[.]; provided that gray water shall not be used to:
(1) Spray irrigation to apply gray water; the application of gray water shall be done by utilizing a subsurface system;
(2) Irrigate root crops, vegetables that will be eaten raw, or other crops where the consumed portion of the plant rests on the ground; and
(3) Irrigate seedlings and barren areas where a potential for runoff or ponding exists.
(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."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Water Pollution; Gray Water; Irrigation
Description:
Prohibits certain applications of gray water for landscape irrigation purposes. Encourages the department of health and the counties to promote widespread use of gray water in the interests of water conservation. Clarifies that guidelines for the use of gray water for irrigation purposes shall be liberally construed so as to allow widespread use of gray water.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.