HB 18-1093

House Bill 18-1093, which has been signed into law, allows treated wastewater (reclaimed water) to be used for irrigating crops that people eat. This means farmers can use recycled water to grow food as long as it meets certain quality standards set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The bill also gives the department the power to create new rules if they find existing ones aren't safe enough, and it sets aside money to help implement these changes. This affects anyone involved in farming or water management in Colorado. Since the bill has been signed, its provisions are now law and being put into practice.

Official Summary

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 food crop irrigation 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 the 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. Section 5 appropriates $14,399 in the 2018-19 fiscal year from the general fund to the department of public health and environment for use by the water quality control division to implement the bill.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More

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