Last Reviewed 12/06
Municipal Water Conservation Legislation - Note Page No longer being Maintained
Based on Municipal Water Conservation Analysis and Recommendations, Washington State Department of Health, December 1998 with 2005 Update See also Department of Ecology Drought Laws and Regulations
RCW 19.27.170 - Water Conservation Performance Standards - Fixtures that meet Standards - Marketing and Labeling Fixtures - Establishes state low flow plumbing fixture requirements.
RCW 35.67.020 - Sewerage Systems - Authority to Construct Systems and Fix Rates and Charges - Authorizes cities/towns to consider the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful practices when setting sewer rates.
RCW 35.92.010 - Municipal Utilities - Authority to Acquire and Operate Waterworks - Classification of Services for Rates - Authorizes cities/towns to consider the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful water use practices when setting water rates.
RCW 43.20.230 - Water Resources Planning - Procedures, Criteria, Technical Assistance - Directs DOH, consistent with the water resources planning process of Ecology, to develop procedures and guidelines related to water use efficiency to be included in the development and approval of cost effective water system plans.
RCW 43.20.235 - Water Conservation - Water Delivery Rate Structures - Requires water purveyors who develop water systems plans to evaluate the feasibility of adopting and implementing water delivery rate structures that encourage water conservation.
RCW 43.27A.090 - Powers and Duties of Department - Directs Ecology to adopt policies to insure water is "used, conserved and preserved" for the best interests of the state.
RCW 43.70.310 - Cooperation with Department of Ecology - Directs DOH, where feasible, to integrate our efforts and endorse policies in common with Ecology.
RCW 70.119A.180 - Water use efficiency requirements -- Rules.
RCW 90.03.005 - State Water Policy - Reduction of Wasteful Practices - Instructs Ecology to reduce wasteful practices in the exercise of water rights "to the maximum extent practicable."
RCW 90.03.400 - Crimes Against the Water Code - The willful or negligent waste of water to the detriment of another shall be a misdemeanor.
RCW 90.44.110 - Waste of Water Prohibited - No public ground waters that have been withdrawn shall be wasted without economical beneficial use. The department (Ecology) shall require both flowing and non flowing wells to be constructed and maintained as to prevent the waste of public ground water through leaky pipes.
RCW 90.48.495 - Water Conservation Measures to be Considered in Sewer Plans - Ecology is to require sewer plans to include a discussion of water conservation measures considered or underway and their impact on public sewer service.
RCW 90.54.020 - General Declaration of Fundamentals for Utilization and Management of Water of the State -Directs Ecology to encourage federal, state, and local governments to carry out practices of conservation. Also indicates that improved water use efficiency and conservation shall be emphasized in the management of the state's water resources and in some cases will be a potential new source of water to meet future needs.
RCW 90.54.180 - Water Use Efficiency and Conservation Programs and Practices - Provides that increased water use efficiency should receive consideration as a potential source of water
in state and local water resource planning processes and stipulates that water use efficiency programs should mix incentives and regulation. In determining cost-effectiveness of alternative water sources, consideration should be given to the benefits of conservation, wastewater recycling and impoundments. Entities receiving state financial assistance for construction of water source expansion or acquisition of new sources shall develop, and implement if cost effective, a water use efficiency and conservation element of a water system plan. State programs to improve water use efficiency should focus on areas where water is over appropriated. State agencies should educate the public concerning the wise and efficient use of water.
Washington State Constitution Article VIII, §10 (Senate Joint Resolution 8210) - Amendments to State Constitution to Encourage Water Use Efficiency (passed by voters November 1989) - Permits county, city, town, quasi-municipal corporation, municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state engaged in the sale or distribution of water to use public money to finance increased water use efficiency (does not permit state to use funds for this purpose).
RCW 90.82 (ESHB 2514) - Regional Watershed Planning Bill (1998 session) - Local planning units developing watershed plans are required to develop an estimate of water actually being used (water use), an estimate of water needed in the future (water demand forecast), and strategy for increasing water supplies through conservation, reuse, etc. (water conservation).
WAC 246-290 - Public Water System Supplies - Water System Plans - Requires public water systems to address several elements including a "conservation program" in their water system plan. Public water systems are also required to specifically address water demand forecasting, water use data collection, and enhanced water conservation planning where water rights will be needed within 20 years.
Chapter 60 Laws of 2005 - Creates the joint legislative committee on water supply during drought
Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Water conservation, water use efficiency, drought management and planning