HB 18-1053

House Bill 18-1053, which has been signed into law, allows marijuana growers in Colorado to use treated wastewater for cultivation purposes. This bill updates the state’s rules on reclaimed water, categorizing its quality and defining appropriate uses for each category. It specifically adds marijuana growing as a permitted use for this type of recycled water, helping to conserve freshwater resources. The law also gives the state authority to create more detailed guidelines or exceptions for using reclaimed water based on public input. This affects marijuana growers who can now legally use treated wastewater in their operations.

Official Summary

Water Resources Review Committee. The bill codifies rules promulgated by the water quality control 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 marijuana cultivation as an allowable use for reclaimed domestic wastewater. 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. The commission may develop more stringent standards by rule if it determines that existing standards and categories are not protective of public health and identifies a specific health risk posed by the use of reclaimed domestic wastewater under the existing standards. Section 3 also authorizes the water quality control division, after conducting a public stakeholders' process, to develop policy, guidance, or best management practices for use of reclaimed domestic wastewater. Finally, section 3 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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