(1) The owner of a wastewater treatment facility that is reclaiming water with a permit issued under this chapter has the exclusive right to any reclaimed water generated by the wastewater treatment facility. Use, distribution, and the recovery from aquifer storage of reclaimed water by the owner of the wastewater treatment facility is exempt from the permit requirements of RCW 90.03.250 and 90.44.060, provided that a permit for recovery of reclaimed water from aquifer storage and recovery shall be reviewed under the standards established under RCW 90.03.370(2). Revenues derived from the reclaimed water facility shall be used only to offset the cost of operation of the wastewater utility fund or other applicable source of system-wide funding.

     (2) If the proposed use or uses of reclaimed water are intended to augment or replace potable water supplies or create the potential for the development of additional potable water supplies, such use or uses shall be considered in the development of any regional water supply plan or plans addressing potable water supply service by multiple water purveyors. Such water supply plans include plans developed by multiple jurisdictions under the relevant provisions of chapters 43.20, 70.116, 90.44, and 90.82 RCW, and the water supply provisions under the utility element of chapter 36.70A RCW. The method by which such plans are approved shall remain unchanged. The owner of a wastewater treatment facility that proposes to reclaim water shall be included as a participant in the development of such regional water supply plan or plans.

     (3) Where opportunities for the use of reclaimed water exist within the period of time addressed by a water system plan, a water supply plan, or a coordinated water system plan developed under chapters 43.20, 70.116, 90.44, and 90.82 RCW, and the water supply provisions under the utility element of chapter 36.70A RCW, these plans must be developed and coordinated to ensure that opportunities for reclaimed water are evaluated. The requirements of this subsection (3) do not apply to water system plans developed under chapter 43.20 RCW for utilities serving less than one thousand service connections.

     (4) The provisions of any plan for reclaimed water, developed under the authorities in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, should be included by a city, town, or county in reviewing provisions for water supplies in a proposed short plat, short subdivision, or subdivision under chapter 58.17 RCW, where reclaimed water supplies may be proposed for nonpotable purposes in the short plat, short subdivision, or subdivision.

[2007 c 445 § 3; 2003 1st sp.s. c 5 § 13; 1997 c 444 § 1.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2007 c 445: See note following RCW 90.46.005.

     Severability -- 2003 1st sp.s. c 5: See note following RCW 90.03.015.

     Severability -- 1997 c 444: See note following RCW 90.46.010.