72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3306
 
                         House Bill 3047
 
Sponsored by Representative DINGFELDER, Senator RINGO
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Establishes state policy on wastewater reuse. Directs
Department of Environmental Quality to report to Seventy-third
Legislative Assembly on wastewater reuse potential. Directs
department to seek federal funding for demonstration projects.
  Sunsets January 2, 2006.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to wastewater reuse; and limiting expenditures.
  Whereas the demand in the Willamette Basin for potable and
nonpotable water will increase as population increases; and
  Whereas wastewater reuse is an important component of water
conservation efforts because the practice of using treated
wastewater for uses other than drinking helps ensure adequate
supplies of clean drinking water; and
  Whereas wastewater reuse can enhance water quality by reducing
discharges of treated effluent into nutrient or temperature
sensitive streams; and
  Whereas wastewater reuse can benefit fish and other aquatic
organisms by reducing the demand for water withdrawals for
out-of-stream uses, thereby augmenting in-stream flows; and
  Whereas wastewater reuse can be an economically and
environmentally beneficial alternative to other means of
wastewater treatment and disposal; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to
encourage wastewater reuse through methods that ensure that the
health of Oregonians and the environment are protected.
  (2) The Department of Environmental Quality shall foster and
encourage wastewater reuse in urban areas as a means of
conserving potable water and of achieving water quality
objectives and standards.
  (3) The department shall work, in consultation with interested
parties and state agencies, including the Water Resources
Department and the Department of Human Services, to examine the
opportunities and barriers associated with wastewater reuse and
shall submit a report to the Seventy-third Legislative Assembly,
no later than January 31, 2005, that includes:
  (a) An inventory of regulatory mechanisms that govern
wastewater issues on a local, state and federal level;
 
 
  (b) A list of issues, including regulatory barriers, scientific
concerns, issues of public perception and economic issues, that
could restrict wastewater reuse;
  (c) Readily available information on the current amount, types
and locations of wastewater reuse activities;
  (d) A list of existing and potential incentives for wastewater
reuse; and
  (e) Recommendations for legislative or other regulatory changes
that may be needed to implement wastewater reuse.
  (4) The Department of Environmental Quality may seek federal
funding to be used for one or more wastewater reuse demonstration
projects within the Willamette River basin that seek to
illustrate the economic, environmental and other values of
wastewater reuse.
  (5) As used in this section, 'wastewater reuse' means the
recycling of treated wastewater derived from domestic and
industrial sources for beneficial use. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Notwithstanding any other law limiting
expenditures, the amount of $___ is established for the biennium
beginning July 1, 2003, as the maximum limit for payment of
expenses for wastewater reuse demonstration projects from federal
funds collected or received by the Department of Environmental
Quality. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + Section 1 of this 2003 Act is repealed on
January 2, 2006. + }
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