SB 18-038

Senate Bill 18-038 allows for the use of treated wastewater, also known as reclaimed water, on industrial hemp crops in Colorado. This bill specifically permits farmers to irrigate non-food grade industrial hemp with reclaimed water, which has been treated but is not suitable for drinking. The legislation also gives the state’s Water Quality Control Commission the authority to create new categories and standards for how reclaimed water can be used and allows for exceptions to these rules on a case-by-case basis. Since it has been signed into law, farmers growing industrial hemp in Colorado can now legally use this type of treated wastewater for irrigation purposes.

Official Summary

Water Resources Review Committee. The bill codifies rules promulgated by the water quality control commission (commission) of the Colorado department of public health and environment concerning allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, which is wastewater that has been treated for subsequent reuses other than drinking water. Section 3 of the bill defines 3 categories of water quality standards for reclaimed domestic wastewater, sets forth the allowable uses for each water quality standard category, and adds industrial hemp cultivation as an allowable use for reclaimed domestic wastewater when the industrial hemp is not used as a food crop. Section 3 also authorizes the commission to establish new categories of water quality standards and to recategorize any use of reclaimed domestic wastewater to a less stringent category of water quality standard. Section 3 also authorizes the division of administration in the department of public health and environment to grant variances for uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater. Sections 1, 2, and 4 make conforming amendments.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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