PUB00146 ‎(2)‎

• Year: 2005
• Title: Western States Water Council - San Antonio, TX., October 18-21, 2005
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Description: Western States Water Council - San Antonio, TX., October 18-21, 2005
• Publications - Doc Type: Water Policy

Western States Water Council
Water Quality Committee

Seattle, Washington
July 14, 2005

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Questions:

What do you do about peak demands for reused water? A.-water supply IS 'fairly consistent,
if anything higher in the winter.
What do you do about the degraded water and protecting the groundwater? A.-you must
have an aquifer permit, and that would include conditions that would protect GW.
Regarding incentives, a city that has historically discharged, can they use the incentives to
begin reusing, and if so, does that cause concern for down stream municipalities?
A.-Supreme Court has said a city can do it, and downstream users are simply subject to the
vagaries of the law.

Walt Baker. Utah -- (see powerpoint)
UT not on the forefront, so appreciate seeing what others states are doing.

Since mid-70s, Utah has released effluent to rural areas for alfalfa. However, they have always had
other supplies available, which is less the case - particularly in drought years.

Reuse is being driven by Water Quality - a phosphorous standard. There are competing Interests.

Example Project - Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation Dist.
1. Strict water quality limits for surface charges
2. Must provide rate payers the most cost effective treatment and disposal method
3. Effluent constitutes most of the summertime flow
4. community is supportive

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Phosphorous std. = .056 mg/l for surface charge; if they land apply, no limit. Up to 89% of flow
in East Canyon Creek is effluent. Applying for reuse project approval. State engineer must agree
on the water rights issues. Phase project to irrigate golf courses and parks.

Conclusions
Although regulated separately, water quality and quantity are closely related. Reuse issues are
complex and involve competing interests.

Len Fleckenstein. EP A

Linkage between water quality and quantity, EP A interested in that. EP A has developed
guidelines (re-released it from 1992).
There is not a lot of federal involvement in reuse. These are state and local programs. This
year, one of the appropriations committees (Independent Agencies), for FY 2005, requested
Chair of CEQ look at water reuse and provide a report re: funding levels. Typically, BoR
section 16 programs is the primary program funding reuse projects. Also, earmarks. Report .
due at the end of the month. The main value could lead to further discussions between states
and feds.

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