Washington Administrative Code › Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508) › Chapter 173-219 - RECLAIMED WATER › Section 173-219-180 - Feasibility analysis

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Long-term
			 feasibility of reclaimed water generation, distribution, and use. A feasibility
			 analysis must demonstrate that the generator has the long-term technical,
			 management, legal, and financial capacity to design, construct, operate, and
			 maintain the reclaimed water facility, and that distribution and end uses are
			 feasible. The feasibility analysis, including any of the relevant planning
			 documents, must be submitted to the lead agency for review and approval. The
			 purpose of the feasibility analysis is to ensure that resources are sufficient
			 to provide public health and environmental protection for a planning period of
			 twenty years. Guidance on developing the feasibility analysis is available in
			 the
Reclaimed Water Facility Manual
(purple book).
(a) Entities proposing new reclaimed water
			 projects must notify the lead agency early in the project-planning phase to
			 determine the scope of the required feasibility analysis.
(b) Entities with existing reclaimed water
			 permits, proposing to modify their facilities or operations, must consult with
			 the lead agency to determine what, if any, additional feasibility information
			 needs to be submitted and approved.
(c) The feasibility analysis must include the
			 following content along with any other relevant data required to fully
			 demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed project and as may be required by
			 the rules of the lead or nonlead agency:
(i)
			 Explanation of who will own, operate, and maintain the reclaimed water
			 facility.
(ii) For a planning
			 period of twenty years, projected capital and operational costs, in terms of
			 total annual cost and present worth, and projected revenues from user fees and
			 other sources, if applicable.
(iii)
			 Estimate of the annual or seasonal volumes of wastewater required and available
			 and proposed production rate of reclaimed water.
(iv) Description of the proposed level of
			 reclaimed water quality the project will generate, along with general
			 descriptions of the treatment systems and reliability features used by the
			 proposed facility. The project proponent must demonstrate that the proposed
			 facility concept is capable of meeting and ensuring the minimum requirements
			 for water quality, treatment, and reliability for the proposed uses.
(v) Description of plans for alternative use,
			 storage, or release of any reclaimed water or inadequately treated
			 water.
(vi) Initial assessment of
			 potential water quality and quantity impairments and potential strategies to
			 prevent, compensate, and/or mitigate for such impairments.
(vii) List of all potable water suppliers
			 that provide water to the reclaimed water generation, storage, and distribution
			 facilities in addition to proposed reclaimed water use areas. Describe proposed
			 methods to coordinate with potable water suppliers on reclaimed water service
			 including cross connection prevention actions in design and operation of the
			 reclaimed water system. Results of coordination with the listed potable water
			 suppliers must be included in the engineering report under WAC
			 173-219-210(2)(f).
(viii)
			 Description of the contingency plan for both temporary and permanent reversion
			 to domestic wastewater facilities and alternative water supply systems where
			 applicable, if reclaimed water production is discontinued. Include the impact
			 of increased demand to water purveyors.
(ix) A brief description of the community
			 outreach and public involvement conducted or planned to be conducted, as
			 feasibility is determined, to demonstrate awareness of and community support
			 for the reclaimed water project.
(x) Identification of existing or proposed
			 interlocal or interagency agreements related to reclaimed water, if any, with
			 local governments or local potable water suppliers within the area of existing
			 or proposed distribution and use of reclaimed water.
(xi) Statement of compliance with the State
			 Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and the National Environmental Policy Act
			 (NEPA), when applicable.