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Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits (2016)

Chapter: Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater

« Previous: Appendix A: Calculating the Benefits of Rooftop Runoff Capture Systems
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×

B

Summary of State Laws and Regulations
for Graywater and Stormwater

Additional Legal and Regulatory Tables

TABLE B-1 Examples of Rooftop Runoff and Stormwater Capture Regulations in Prior Appropriation States and Some Riparian States

State Statute/Regulation Source
Alaska None. State plumbing codes based on 2009 UPC, which do not include stormwater use. http://labor.alaska.gov/lss/forms/plumbing-stats-regs.pdf
Arizona None, although Arizona water rights laws limit surface water appropriation to water “flowing in streams, canyons, ravines or other natural channels, or in definite underground channels…and of lakes, ponds and springs on the surface.” The state previously offered tax credits for rainwater harvesting systems. ARS § 45-141

California

The state recognizes that rainwater and stormwater capture can contribute to local water supplies and, specifically, reduce reliance on the Delta. The state recommends rain gardens, cisterns, and other landscape features and practices that increase rainwater capture and create opportunities for infiltration and/or on-site storage. The Rainwater Recapture Act of 2012 exempts rooftop capture and on-site use from water rights permitting. In September 2014, the Stormwater Resources Planning Act was amended to require entities developing stormwater resource plans to identify and prioritize opportunities using existing publicly owned lands to capture and use stormwater or dry weather runoff. State plumbing code modified from 2012 UPC.

Cal. Water Code § 10571(c) (West 2014);

Cal. Water Code § 10562(a);

Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 492.15;

Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 5003

Colorado

Colorado’s “prior appropriation system” of water rights prevents the capture and use of rainwater falling on private property, unless senior water rights are satisfied. There are two exceptions:

1. Rural residential property owners whose water is supplied by certain wells may utilize “rooftop precipitation collection systems” for capture and use of stormwater.

2. New developments that qualify as one of a limited number of pilot projects may harvest rainwater from impervious surfaces for nonpotable uses as long as the entire amount harvested is replaced to the stream by some other source. If, after a time, the development can calculate the amount of harvested rainwater that would have been consumed by evapotranspiration from native vegetation, then the development can ask the water court for permission to not replace that amount.

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-90-105;

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-92-602;

Colo. Rev. Stat. § 37-60-115

Georgia Appendix I “Rainwater Recycling Systems” of the Georgia 2009 Amendments to the 2006 International Plumbing Code allows rainwater harvesting in certain applications throughout the state. The state also provides state-level guidance on rainwater harvesting. http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/constructioncodes/programs/documents/GARainWaterGdlns.040209.pdf
Idaho None
(Note: The Deputy Attorney General issued a 2008 opinion that on-site rainwater harvesting is legal under the state constitution “as long as there is no injury caused to the water rights of others.”)
Rassier (2008)
Kansas No permit is required for rainwater that is used for domestic purposes or for the annual diversion and beneficial use of not more than 15 acre feet of rainwater. (Kansas Statute 82a-701(c) defines “domestic use” as the use of water by any person or by a family unit or household for household purposes, or for the watering of livestock, poultry, farm and domestic animals used in operating a farm, and for the irrigation of lands not exceeding a total of two acres in area for the growing of gardens, orchards and lawns.) Kan. Stat. Ann. § 82a-728
Maryland The Maryland Department of the Environment requires a detailed supply and demand analysis for systems larger than 150 gallons. Indoor use is typically limited to toilet flushing, cleaning, and laundry washing. http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Water/StormwaterManagementProgram/SedimentandStormwaterHome/Documents/ESDMEP%20Guidance%20RWH.pdf
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
State Statute/Regulation Source
Minnesota None, but does provide state-level guidance on rainwater harvesting, including water quality criteria for irrigation. http://stromwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Stormwater_re-use_and_rainwater_harvesting
Montana None. State plumbing codes based on 2009 UPC, which do not include stormwater use. http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/bc/current_codes.asp
Nebraska None
Nevada None
New Mexico New Mexico Office of the State Engineer encourages the rooftop capture and use of rainwater at residential and commercial sites for on-site landscape irrigation and other onsite domestic uses. “The collection of water harvested in this manner should not reduce the amount of runoff that would have occurred from the site in its natural, pre-development state.” http://www.rmwea.org/reuse/NewMexico.html
North Carolina North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources encourages water reuse practices including rainwater harvesting and graywater. The state building code permits the use of cisterns to provide water for flushing toilets and outdoor irrigation. http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H609v6.pdf
http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2009/Bills/House/PDF/H749v4.pdf
North Dakota None
Ohio Allows rooftop capture for potable uses, toilet flushing, and laundry with a permit. Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-28-12
Oklahoma The Water for 2060 Act initiates grants for pilot programs including rainwater capture projects. Okla. Stat. tit. 82 § 1088
Oregon The Oregon Building Codes Division approved rainwater rooftop harvesting systems as a statewide alternative method for providing water for nonpotable uses, including irrigation, toilet flushing, and HVAC makeup water, and provides detailed design criteria applicable to all projects except irrigation uses. The collection of precipitation water from an artificial impervious surface and the use of such water do not require a water right application, permit, or certificate. Or. Rev. Stat. § 455.060;
Or. Rev. Stat. § 537.141
South Dakota None
Texas The state has adopted laws that encourage municipalities to promote rainwater harvesting, outline safety and health standards for indoor and outdoor use of harvested rainwater, and prohibit homeowner associations from banning rainwater collection. Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code Ann. § 580.004 (West, 2014);
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 341.042 (West, 2014);
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. § 202.007 (West, 2014)
Utah A person who has registered with the state may capture and store 2,500 gallons of rainwater in storage containers above or below ground. A person who has not registered is limited to two storage containers of not more than 100 gallons each. Utah Code Ann. § 73-3-1.5 (West, 2014)
Virginia None, but does provide state-level guidance regarding the use of graywater and the harvesting and use of rainwater. http://www.vdh.state.va.us/EnvironmentalHealth/ONSITE/gmp/documents/2011/pdf/GMP_154.pdf
Washington The Department of Ecology allows onsite capture of rooftop rainwater without a water right. The Washington Plumbing Code, based on the 2012 UPC, allows for rainwater capture with storage up to 360 gallons without a permit when used for drip or subsurface irrigation. A permit is also not required for rainwater catchment at single family dwellings where all system components are located on the exterior of the building. The state requires that counties reduce by at least 10% the rate they charge for storm or surface water sewer systems for any new or remodeled commercial building that utilizes a permissive rainwater harvesting system. Wash. Rev. Code § 36.94.140(3); Water Resources Program Policy Regarding Collection of Rainwater for Beneficial Use, Wash. Dept. of Ecology (Oct. 9, 2009); Wash. Admin. Code 51.56.1700
Wyoming None
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×

TABLE B-2 Summary of State Laws Regulating Reuse of Graywater at Lower Treatment Standard Than Reclaimed Wastewatera

State Law Source
Arizona Arizona water quality statute allows graywater reuse with a permit issued by Department of Environmental Quality (except in certain circumstances where reuse would interfere with water right). Department of Environmental Quality regulations governing direct reuse of reclaimed water include tiered graywater permit criteria (see Table B-3). Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 49-201 et seq. (LexisNexis, 2014);
Ariz. Admin. Code § 18-9-701 et seq.
California The California Health and Safety Code directs the Building Standards Commission to adopt plumbing code standards for the construction, installation, and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses. The 2013 edition of the California Plumbing Code authorizes graywater systems in residential and nonresidential buildings subject to permits and code standards. The code authorizes single fixture systems without a permit as long as they follow specific best management practices. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17922.12, § 18941.8
(West, 2014); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 24, part 5, 1602.0 (2013)
Colorado Colorado statute signed into law in 2013 directs the Water Quality Control Commission to make rules describing requirements, prohibitions, and standards for the use of graywater for nondrinking purposes, to encourage the use of graywater, and to protect public health and water quality. The regulations restrict graywater use to areas where the local government has adopted an ordinance or resolution approving use of graywater. Graywater ordinances will not alone create new water use rights, and that use of graywater shall be allowed only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the decrees, contracts, and well permits applicable to the use of the source water rights or source water and any return flows therefrom. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-8-205, § 30-11-107, § 37-90-102
Florida Florida Plumbing Code allows graywater use for toilet flushing (disinfection required). Public health statutes governing on-site sewage disposal systems empower the Department of Health to approve the installation of individual graywater disposal systems where blackwater is treated by central sewage system. Additionally, water conservation statute “urges” public-owned and investor-owned water and sewerage systems to reduce connection fees and regular service charges for customers who utilize water-saving graywater systems. 2010 Florida Plumbing Code, Appendix C (adopted by reference at Fla. Admin. Code § 61G-20-1.001);
Fla. Admin. Code Ann. r.64E-6-011 et seq.;
Fla. Stat. § 373.619
Georgia Health code authorizes private residential direct reuse of graywater for outdoor landscape irrigation under a set of criteria outlined in the statute (and county boards of health are directed to adopt the criteria by regulation). Natural resources code requires GA state agencies to provide rules and regulations to encourage the use of graywater in lieu of potable water and exempts graywater from outdoor watering restrictions. The Georgia Amendments to the 2006 IPC allow graywater fixtures to discharge to an approved graywater system for flushing of toilets or subsurface irrigation. Ga. Code Ann. § 31-3-5.2;
Ga. Code Ann. § 12-5-4, 12-5-7;
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 110-11-1.19-1.21
Hawaii Pursuant to water pollution statutes, the health department may authorize any county to implement a graywater recycling program for irrigating lawns and gardens, but all use of graywater must conform to the state plumbing code. Department of Health wastewater disposal regulations affirm that graywater may be used for subsurface irrigation. State-specific amendments to 2006 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), with state-specific amendments to the graywater chapter authorizing use of graywater for subsurface irrigation. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 342D-7;
Haw. Code R. § 11-62-31.1;
Haw. Code R. § 3-183-13
(adopts UPC by reference with amendments)
Idaho Graywater is defined as untreated wastewater from bathtubs, showers, and bathroom wash basins. Laundry water is not included in the definition of graywater. Residential graywater reuse systems are permitted for subsurface irrigation only and require a permit. The Idaho State Plumbing Code is modeled after the 2009 UPC; Idaho amendments clarify that graywater fixtures up to, but not including, exterior irrigation tanks must be inspected by the authority issuing building permits, while Department of Environmental Quality has jurisdiction to inspect and approve the installation of the exterior irrigation system tank and all piping up to the point of disposal in accordance with Individual/Subsurface Sewage Disposal Rules. Idaho Admin. Code r. 07.02.06.011; Idaho Admin. Code r. 58.01.03
Indiana The 2012 Indiana Plumbing Code, modeled from the 2009 International Plumbing Code (IPC), allows for the reuse of graywater for indoor and outdoor uses under permit. 675 Indiana Admin. Code 16-1.4
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
State Law Source
Kansas In 2014, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued guidance for permitting subsurface residential graywater irrigation systems under a variance to KAR 28-5-2 through 7. Local authorities may adopt or prohibit such systems within their jurisdictions. See http://www.kdheks.gov/nps/lepp/download/Graywater_System_Specification_FINAL.pdf.
Maine Maine has adopted the 2009 UPC but “does not adopt ‘Part I, Graywater Systems,’ in its entirety.” Maine’s subsurface wastewater disposal regulations allow for “limited” graywater systems with no more than 1,000-gallon storage capacity. 02-395-004 Code R. § 1; 10-144-241 Code R. § 1-13
Massachusetts On-site sewage treatment and disposal regulations issued by the Department of Environmental Protection set out requirements for graywater systems in residential, commercial, and public facilities. The Uniform State Plumbing Code governs all plumbing systems, including nonpotable water supply lines. Under the plumbing code, water recycling systems—including graywater systems—can be installed with special permission. 310 Mass. Code Regs. 15.000 et seq.; 248 Mass. Code Regs. 10.00 et seq.
Montana Environment code requires the Board of Environmental Review to establish rules allowing diversion of graywater from wastewater treatment systems. The graywater rules allow graywater use for toilet flushing without a permit from the environmental quality department, but a permit is required for irrigation. Montana has also adopted the 2009 UPC. Graywater may be land-applied at approved sites without vector or pathogen reduction only if it will not pollute state waters. Mont. Code Ann. § 75-5-326 et seq.; Mont. Admin. R. 17.36; Mont. Admin. R. 24.31.301 (adopts UPC); Mont. Admin. R 17.50.810
Nevada Nevada has adopted the UPC. Sewage disposal regulations allow single-family dwellings to use graywater systems for subsurface irrigation. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 444.350; Nev. Admin. Code § 444.7616, 444.7825, 444.837, 444.8732
New Hampshire Under New Hampshire’s plumbing code, based on the 2009 UPC, graywater fixtures are not required to discharge to the sanitary drainage system where such fixtures discharge to an approved graywater system for flushing of water closets and urinals or for subsurface landscape irrigation. However, New Hampshire has not as of 2014 approved any uses beyond disposal. N.H. Admin. Rules, Bcr § 304.01
New Mexico Graywater rules, located in the liquid waste disposal regulations, set out requirements for graywater use for irrigation and toilet flushing. New Mexico adopted the 2009 UPC with significant amendments to Chapter 16. New Mexico water quality statutes allow use of small quantities of graywater for residential irrigation without a permit. Surface drip irrigation is allowed. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 4-6-4; N.M. Code R. § 20.7.3. 809-10; N.M. Code R. § 14.8.2.27. See also http://www.ose.state.nm.us/water-info/conservation/pdf-manuals/NewMexGWGuide.pdf
New York Residential buildings are required to connect all plumbing systems to the sanitary drainage system. Appendix C of the 2010 New York Plumbing Code, based on the IPC, provides standards for use of graywater for toilet flushing and subsurface irrigation in nonresidential buildings only. N.Y. Comp. R & Regs tit. 19, § 1222.1
North Carolina The 2012 NC plumbing code is adapted from the IPC and allows installation of graywater systems for toilet flushing. Public health statute states that graywater systems shall be regulated by the health department under rules promulgated by the environmental management commission to encourage and promote the safe and beneficial use of graywater. In 2008, North Carolina passed House Bill 2499, a drought bill that allows graywater reuse by watering with buckets in case of a drought year, which will sunset when graywater rules are promulgated. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-335; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-350, 355.5
Ohio Ohio health and safety statute directs the board of health to prescribe standards for regulation of graywater recycling systems. According to the Department of Health, the final draft of proposed rules (effective January 2015) will be adopted into the administrative code at § 3701-29-17 (http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/drafts/3701-29.aspx). The proposed rules permit graywater reuse for irrigation only. Ohio Plumbing Code allows segregation of graywater from wastewater streams when the graywater discharges to a graywater recycling system approved by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in accordance with on-site disposal regulations. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3718.02; Ohio Admin Code 4101:3-3-01
Oklahoma Oklahoma passed a law in 2012 that allows graywater reuse without a permit when applying less than 250 gallons per day of untreated private residential graywater for gardening, composting, or landscape irrigation of the resident if a set of simple best management practices (BMPs) is followed that restrict surface ponding, spray irrigation, and off-site discharge. Surface drip irrigation is allowed. Okla. Stat. 27A, § 2-6-101 et seq.
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
State Law Source
Oregon Public health statute declares it the public policy of the state to encourage reuse of graywater for beneficial uses. The statute prohibits any person from installing or operating a graywater system without a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality. Rules were approved by the Environmental Quality Commission in 2011 that prescribe tiered requirements for the permitting of graywater reuse systems. Or. Rev. Stat. § 454.607; Or. Rev. Stat. § 444.610; Or. Admin. R. 340-053-0050 to 0110
South Dakota On-site wastewater disposal regulations establish basic requirements for graywater reuse for toilet flushing or irrigation. S.D. Admin. R. 74:53:01:38
Texas The Texas Health and Safety Code and the Texas Water Code require the Commission on Environmental Quality to adopt rules implementing minimum standards for the use and reuse of graywater for a variety of uses; the Health Code specifies that regulations may not require a permit for the domestic use of less than 400 gallons of graywater each day if the graywater originates from a private residence and is used for gardening, composting, or landscaping (observing certain simple BMPs). Environmental quality regulations—or the graywater code—provide criteria for domestic, industrial, commercial, institutional, and irrigation uses. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 341.039, § 366.012; Tex. Water Code § 26.0311; 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 210.81 et seq.; 30 Tex. Admin. Code § 285.80 et seq.
Utah In 2013, Utah adopted water quality regulations governing graywater systems that apply to the construction, installation, modification, and repair of graywater systems for subsurface landscape irrigation for single-family residences. It is unlawful to construct, install, or modify a graywater system in a building or on a lot without first obtaining a permit from the local health department. Utah Code Ann. § 15A-3-313; Utah Admin. Code R317-401-1 et seq.
Virginia Regulations issued in 1999b require health and building code permits prior to installation of a graywater system. Graywater systems must be inspected by the State Health Department prior to operation. Virginia uses an amended version of the IPC that governs graywater systems for toilet flushing, irrigation, and other nonpotable applications. Utilization of harvested graywater is expressly exempted from requirements of the Water Reclamation and Reuse regulations. Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-248.2; 13 Va. Admin. Code § 5-63-320; 13 Va. Admin. Code § 5-63-210; 9 Va. Admin. Code § 25-740-10 et seq.
Washington State amendments to the 2009 UPC allow graywater to be used in lieu of potable water for indoor nonpotable uses and subsurface irrigation where permitted by the Department of Health rules and apply UPC standards to graywater systems. Department of Health regulation “Greywater Reuse for Subsurface Irrigation” sets out a comprehensive three-tiered permitting system. Wa. Admin. Code § 51-56-1600; Wa. Admin. Code § 246-274-001 et seq.
Wyoming As of July 2014, Wyoming’s graywater permitting system was undergoing a transition from permit-by-rule approach to a more comprehensive regulatory approach. However, the status of this effort is unclear.

aThis table summarizes generally applicable state statutes and regulations addressing graywater reuse. The summary does not include state constitutional provisions, court decisions, guidance documents, or local ordinances that may be relevant to the legality of graywater reuse in a particular location. This table does not include state laws establishing green infrastructure tax credits or grant programs. Inconsistencies among two or more areas of a state’s code may affect the legality of graywater reuse. Table 6-3 describes the plain language of statutes and regulations addressing graywater reuse (retrieved from LexisNexis and Westlaw using keyword searches, June 2014) and is not intended to determine the legality of graywater reuse in light of ambiguous or contradictory provisions.

bhttps://www.vdh.virginia.gov/EnvironmentalHealth/ONSITE/regulations/FormsDocs/documents/2010/pdfs/Graywater%20Use%20guidelines%20by%20VDH_feb99.pdf.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×

TABLE B-3 Arizona Tiered Regulations for Graywater Irrigation

Permit Type Requirements for Direct Reuse of Graywater
Type 1 Reclaimed Water General Permit for Graywater No prior approval or notice to the agency is necessary if the following 13 best practice measures (BMPs) are followed:
Graywater irrigation systems with a flow of <400 gallons per day Human contact with graywater and soil irrigation by graywater is avoided.

Graywater originating from the residence is used and contained within the property boundary for household gardening, composting, lawn watering, or landscape irrigation.

Surface application of graywater is not used for irrigation of food plants, except for citrus and nut trees.

Graywater does not contain hazardous chemicals derived from activities such as cleaning car parts, washing greasy or oily rags, or disposing of waste solutions from home photo labs.

The applications of graywater are managed to minimize standing water on the surface.

The graywater system is constructed so that if blockage, plugging, or backup of the system occurs, graywater can be directed into the sewage collection system, or onsite wastewater treatment or disposal system, as applicable. The graywater system may include filtration to reduce plugging and extend system lifetime.

Any graywater storage tank is covered to restrict access.

The system is sited outside of a floodway.

The system is operated to maintain a minimum vertical separation distance of at least 5 feet from the point of graywater application to the top of the seasonally high groundwater.

If using an on-site wastewater treatment facility for blackwater treatment and disposal, the use of a graywater system does not change the design, capacity, or reserve area requirements for the on-site waste system.

Any pressure piping used in a graywater system that may be susceptible to cross connection with a potable water system clearly indicates that the piping does not carry potable water.

Graywater applied by surface irrigation does not contain water used to wash diapers or similarly soiled or infectious garments unless the graywater is disinfected before irrigation.

Surface irrigation by graywater is only by flood or drip irrigation. Graywater cannot be used for other purposes besides subsurface irrigation or drip irrigation.

Type 3 General Permit for Graywater

A notice of intent to operate a graywater irrigation system must be submitted to the department 90 days before construction beings.

Graywater irrigation systems with a flow between 400 - 3,000 gallons per day

The system must meet the setback and soil absorption rates under the on-site wastewater treatment facility requirements for shallow trenches.

The depth of the graywater dispersal trenches should be designed for appropriate irrigation use but not more than 5 feet below the finished grade of the soil.

The void space of the aggregate fill in the dispersal trench must allow enough capacity to contain 2 days of graywater at design flow.

The department has the authority to review design plans and details to accept a graywater irrigation system different from the typical system provided sufficient performance and protection are provided.

On-site disposal systems with flow >3,000 gallons per day

For large systems, the department handles permits on case-by-case basis.

SOURCE: Ariz. Admin Code § 18-9-711, 719. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 49-242, 243.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 201
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 202
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 203
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 204
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 205
Suggested Citation:"Appendix B: Summary of State Laws and Regulations for Graywater and Stormwater." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies: An Assessment of Risks, Costs, and Benefits. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21866.
×
Page 206
Next: Appendix C: Water Science and Technology Board »
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Chronic and episodic water shortages are becoming common in many regions of the United States, and population growth in water-scarce regions further compounds the challenges. Increasingly, alternative water sources such as graywater-untreated wastewater that does not include water from the toilet but generally includes water from bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, clothes washers, and laundry sinks- and stormwater-water from rainfall or snow that can be measured downstream in a pipe, culvert, or stream shortly after the precipitation event-are being viewed as resources to supplement scarce water supplies rather than as waste to be discharged as rapidly as possible. Graywater and stormwater can serve a range of non-potable uses, including irrigation, toilet flushing, washing, and cooling, although treatment may be needed. Stormwater may also be used to recharge groundwater, which may ultimately be tapped for potable use. In addition to providing additional sources of local water supply, harvesting stormwater has many potential benefits, including energy savings, pollution prevention, and reducing the impacts of urban development on urban streams. Similarly, the reuse of graywater can enhance water supply reliability and extend the capacity of existing wastewater systems in growing cities.

Despite the benefits of using local alternative water sources to address water demands, many questions remain that have limited the broader application of graywater and stormwater capture and use. In particular, limited information is available on the costs, benefits, and risks of these projects, and beyond the simplest applications many state and local public health agencies have not developed regulatory frameworks for full use of these local water resources.

To address these issues, Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies analyzes the risks, costs, and benefits on various uses of graywater and stormwater. This report examines technical, economic, regulatory, and social issues associated with graywater and stormwater capture for a range of uses, including non-potable urban uses, irrigation, and groundwater recharge. Using Graywater and Stormwater to Enhance Local Water Supplies considers the quality and suitability of water for reuse, treatment and storage technologies, and human health and environmental risks of water reuse. The findings and recommendations of this report will be valuable for water managers, citizens of states under a current drought, and local and state health and environmental agencies.

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