The definitions in this section
apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires
otherwise.
(1) "Agricultural industrial process water" means water that
has been used for the purpose of agricultural processing and has
been adequately and reliably treated, so that as a result of that
treatment, it is suitable for other agricultural water use.
(2) "Agricultural processing" means the processing of crops
or milk to produce a product primarily for wholesale or retail
sale for human or animal consumption, including but not limited
to potato, fruit, vegetable, and grain processing.
(3) "Agricultural water use" means the use of water for
irrigation and other uses related to the production of
agricultural products. These uses include, but are not limited
to, construction, operation, and maintenance of agricultural
facilities and livestock operations at farms, ranches, dairies,
and nurseries. Examples of these uses include, but are not
limited to, dust control, temperature control, and fire control.
(4) "Beneficial use" means the use of reclaimed water, that
has been transported from the point of production to the point of
use without an intervening discharge to the waters of the state,
for a beneficial purpose.
(5) "Constructed beneficial use wetlands" means those
wetlands intentionally constructed on nonwetland sites to produce
or replace natural wetland functions and values. Constructed
beneficial use wetlands are considered "waters of the state."
(6) "Constructed treatment wetlands" means those wetlands
intentionally constructed on nonwetland sites and managed for the
primary purpose of polishing reclaimed water or aesthetics.
Constructed treatment wetlands are considered part of the
collection and treatment system and are not considered "waters of
the state."
(7) "Direct recharge" means the controlled subsurface
addition of water directly to the groundwater basin that results
in the replenishment of groundwater.
(8) "Greywater" means wastewater having the consistency and
strength of residential domestic type wastewater. Greywater
includes wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures,
but does not include toilet or urinal waters.
(9) "Groundwater recharge criteria" means the contaminant
criteria found in the drinking water quality standards adopted by
the state board of health pursuant to chapter 43.20 RCW and the
department of health pursuant to chapter 70.119A RCW.
(10) "Industrial reuse water" means water that has been used
for the purpose of industrial processing and has been adequately
and reliably treated so that, as a result of that treatment, it
is suitable for other uses.
(11) "Land application" means use of reclaimed water as
permitted under this chapter for irrigation or landscape
enhancement for residential, business, and governmental purposes.
(12) "Person" means any state, individual, public or private
corporation, political subdivision, governmental subdivision,
governmental agency, municipality, copartnership, association,
firm, trust estate, or any other legal entity whatever.
(13) "Planned groundwater recharge project" means any
reclaimed water project designed for the purpose of recharging
groundwater, via direct recharge or surface percolation.
(14) "Reclaimed water" means effluent derived in any part
from sewage from a wastewater treatment system that has been
adequately and reliably treated, so that as a result of that
treatment, it is suitable for a beneficial use or a controlled
use that would not otherwise occur and is no longer considered
wastewater.
(15) "Reclamation criteria" means the criteria set forth in
the water reclamation and reuse interim standards and subsequent
revisions adopted by the department of ecology and the department
of health.
(16) "Sewage" means water-carried human wastes from
residences, buildings, industrial and commercial establishments,
or other places, together with such groundwater infiltration,
surface waters, or industrial wastewater as may be present.
(17) "Streamflow augmentation" means the discharge of
reclaimed water to rivers and streams of the state or other
surface water bodies, but not wetlands.
(18) "Surface percolation" means the controlled application
of water to the ground surface for the purpose of replenishing
groundwater.
(19) "User" means any person who uses reclaimed water.
(20) "Wastewater" means water and wastes discharged from
homes, businesses, and industry to the sewer system.
(21) "Wetland or wetlands" means areas that are inundated or
saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and
duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically
adapted to life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally
include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands
regulated under this chapter shall be delineated in accordance
with the manual adopted by the department of ecology pursuant to
RCW 90.58.380.
[2006 c 279 § 4; 2002 c 329 § 3; 2001 c 69 § 2; 1997 c 444 § 5; 1995 c 342 § 2; 1992 c 204 § 2.]
NOTES:
Alphabetization -- 2006 c 279: "The code reviser shall alphabetize and renumber the definitions in RCW 90.46.010." [2006 c 279 § 12.]
Severability -- 1997 c 444: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1997 c 444 § 11.]
Construction -- Effective date -- 1995 c 342: See notes following RCW 90.46.005.