(a) Water Reuse Policy. - It is the public policy of the State that the reuse of treated wastewater or reclaimed water and the use of gray water or captured rain water is critical to meeting the existing and future water supply needs of the State. The General Assembly finds that reclaimed water systems permitted and operated under G.S. 143-215.1(d2) in an approved wastewater reuse program can provide water for many beneficial purposes in a way that is both environmentally acceptable and protective of public health. This finding includes and applies to conjunctive facilities that require the relocation of a discharge from one receiving stream to another under all of the following conditions:
(1) The relocation is necessary to create an approved comprehensive wastewater reuse program.
(2) The reuse program provides significant reuse benefits.
(3) The relocated discharge will comply with all applicable water quality standards; will not result in degradation of water quality in the receiving waters; will not contribute to water quality impairment in the receiving watershed; and will result in net benefits to water quality, such as the elimination of a wastewater discharge in a nutrient sensitive river basin.
(b) Water Reuse Rule Making. - The Commission shall encourage and promote safe and beneficial reuse of treated wastewater as an alternative to surface water discharge. The Commission shall adopt rules to:
(1) Identify acceptable uses of reclaimed water, including toilet flushing, fire protection, decorative water features, and landscape irrigation.
(2) Facilitate the permitting of reclaimed water systems.
(3) Establish standards for reclaimed water systems that are adequate to prevent the direct distribution of reclaimed water as potable water.
(c) Gray Water Rule Making. - The Commission shall encourage and promote the safe and beneficial use of gray water. The Commission shall adopt rules to:
(1) Identify acceptable uses of gray water, including toilet flushing, fire protection, decorative water features, and landscape irrigation.
(2) Facilitate the permitting of gray water systems.
(3) Establish standards, in coordination with the Commission for Public Health, for gray water systems that protect public health and safety and the environment and reduce the use of potable water within individual structures.
(d) The Department shall develop policies and procedures to promote the voluntary adoption and installation of gray water systems. (2008-143, s. 10; 2010-155, s. 6; 2011-394, s. 12(b).)
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Last modified: March 23, 2014