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Methodology for Use of Reclaimed Water at Federal Locations Source: Scott Clark Source: Fort Carson Golf Course, Irrigated with Reclaimed Water

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Methodology for Use of Reclaimed Water at Federal Locations Source: Scott Clark Source: Fort Carson Golf Course, Irrigated with Reclaimed Water FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM Methodology for Use of Reclaimed Water at Federal Locations Source: Scott Clark Source: Fort Carson Golf Course, irrigated with reclaimed water. The supply of freshwater has become a Water can be reused in three main ways: There are other legislative acts that Federal resource of concern on a global scale, 1. Water Recycle: Discharge water sites must comply with that do not delineate whether because of future availability or from an application or process is water reuse as a water source. To learn projected economic reasons. In response used again in the same application, more about these policies, visit the FEMP to this expanding problem, the United website for additional reference documents such as recycling the final laundry States Federal Government requires the to help facilitate meeting the water-related rinse water for the next cycle. reduction of water consumed by domestic, goals. industrial, landscaping and agricul- 2. On-site Water Reuse: Discharge www.femp.energy.gov/program/ tural needs at Federal sites. Executive water from one application or waterefficiency.html Order 13514 Federal Leadership in process that is captured, minimally Environmental, Energy, and Economic treated, and is utilized in another Performance directs Federal agencies to application. Examples include gray The steps covered in this fact sheet identify, promote and implement water water(1) reused for toilet or urinal were developed based on information reuse strategies consistent with state laws flushing. that reduce water consumption. Reusing gathered from the EPA Guidelines for (2) water is a large untapped alternative water 3. Water Reclaim: Also termed, Water Reuse . The guidelines provide source for many Federal sites that can reclaimed wastewater, is effluent detailed resources on water reuse across help facilities meet their reduction goals generated by a wastewater treat- the country and on topics not covered by exchanging potable water, industrial, ment facility that is treated to a in this fact sheet. This fact sheet distills landscaping and agricultural water for level that is appropriate for use information from the guidelines to help reuse water. in another application. Examples agencies sort through the complicated include using reclaimed wastewater nature of developing reclaimed for landscape irrigation or cooling water projects. In this Fact Sheet: tower make-up. • Step One: Understand State Laws – Contact This fact sheet lays out a step-by-step Step One: Understand State Regulatory Agencies process to help Federal agencies under- State Laws – Contact State • Step Two: Classify Project Type stand the process involved to initiate Regulatory Agencies a water reuse project using reclaimed • Step Three: Purchase or Produce The first step in creating a water reuse wastewater. The use of reclaimed project is to research current state and • Step Four: Permit wastewater is regulated by local and state local laws pertaining to your Federal site. governments. To foster good stewardship • Step Five: Work with a Contractor Currently, there are no Federal regula- between Federal sites and their neigh- tions for water reuse, individual states • Step Six: Communicate and Educate bors, Federal agencies are encouraged to determine their water reuse status and work with state and local departments to water quality treatment standards. Not • Case Studies conform to local regulations and codes on all states have regulations or guidance - Fort Carson, Colorado reuse projects. for water reuse and not all states that - Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (1) Gray water is defined as domestic wastewater composed of wash water from bathrooms and laundry sinks, tubs, and washers. It does not include • Additional Resources water contaminated by food waste or pathogens. Gray water may be bound by the same regulations as reclaimed water. Facilities thinking about using gray water should follow the steps provided to understand how to follow local regulations and guidelines. (2) www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/625r04108/625r04108.htm continued > 2 FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM have regulations and guidance allow all include connecting to an existing munici- Information generally required in the Notice categories of water reuse. For example, pal distribution system (if available at the of Intent may include: currently the State of Connecticut does project location), extending not allow water to be reused and the State an existing on-site system, or building • The type of use intended for the of Alaska allows water to be reused only a reclaimed system and infrastructure. reclaimed water in the irrigation of agricultural non-food Some parameters to consider when • Water quality standards crops; while the State of Washington choosing the source of reclaimed water • Treatment process allows water to be reused in many ap- include the population of the site, the plications. The EPA Guidelines for Water amount of reclaimed water to utilize • Location of supply water Reuse has compiled a list containing on-site, and the purpose of the • Reporting requirements the state departments in charge of reuse reclaimed water. • Associated fees water’s regulation and their websites. Typically, reclaimed water is less expensive than potable water sold from Step Two: Classify Project Type municipalities. However, the quoted cost standards that will be met, treatment pro- Where and how sites utilize reused water for reclaimed water may not include all cess employed to meet these standards, will help guide water managers in the the cost that could be incurred. Delivery source of reclaimed water, and associated right direction in terms of which state costs and cost associated with infrastruc- fees to users. In receiving the Notice of regulations exist for this use type and ture upgrades must be considered for true Authorization, the site agrees to monitor the level of treatment required. Projects cost comparison. the reuse water so that public safety is must meet minimum water quality maintained and the environment is pro- If the site is large enough and has an standards to utilize reuse water. Water tected. For example, the State of Arizona existing wastewater treatment facil- managers need to investigate the state’s requires sites reusing water to monitor ity, it may be an economical choice to water quality standards and the treatment nitrogen levels to ensure the health and designate some of the effluent stream as options available to meet these require- safety of aquatic life. Both the State of reclaimed water to be reused in on-site ments. The likelihood of human exposure Colorado and the State of Arizona require applications. However, if the site is small to reclaimed water is the main concern that the total volume of reuse water used and does not treat its wastewater on- of state regulating agencies. If human at a site be reported in conjunction with site, it is more practical to purchase the exposure is likely to be low, a lower qual- annual permit reports submitted to the reclaimed water if available and upgrade ity of water may be approved by the state permitting agency. the site’s infrastructure to accommo- for the reuse application. For example, a date the reclaimed water. Examples of public park will require a higher quality cities that sell reclaimed water include of water in most states than water reused Step Five: Work with a Contractor Olympia, Washington, Tampa, Florida, in maintaining a wetland because of the To ensure that your site meets all regula- and Tucson, Arizona(4). greater potential of human exposure in tions and codes, site water managers a park setting. If there is a type of reuse may want to consider working with an that is not currently regulated by the state Step Four: Permit experienced contractor. An experienced and there is a project that could use the contractor should understand what site Permitting a reclaimed water project unregulated water type, it is possible want to accomplish with the reclaimed may not be as complex as antici- for a state to approve a variance. The water project, understand the state and pated. Permitting is handled by a state types of water reuse categories as defined local regulations and be familiar with agency, usually the State’s Department by the EPA are in the Guidelines for installing water reuse systems. Using an of Environmental Quality or Department Water Reuse(3). experienced contractor may make the of Public Health. Permitting reclaimed water reuse project process smoother water projects is intended to ensure that because the contractor can walk the this water is safe to the public and will Step Three: Purchase or Produce site through each step outlined in this not harm the local environment. To initi- When it comes to selecting the source of fact sheet. Note, the contractor may not ate the permitting process, most states the reclaimed water there are two basic follow the steps exactly as outlined here require submission of a Notice of Intent. options to purchase reclaimed water from in this fact sheet, but should get the site If the project is accepted, then the state a local municipal wastewater treatment to the ultimate goal of developing a water responds with a Notice of Authorization. plant or a “mixing” facility, or to pro- reuse project. If the site needs to locate Information generally required in the duce(4) reclaimed water on-site. Choosing an experienced contractor, the site may Notice of Intent may include the intended the source of reclaimed water can range want to start its search in the US General use for the reclaimed water, water quality from simple to complex. Considerations Services Administration (GSA) Federal (3) Reclaimed water is produced by the advanced treatment of domestic wastewater. This advanced treatment may include additional filtration, additional nutrient removal, oxidation, reverse osmosis, treatment with ultraviolet disinfection, or ozone. (4) www.epa.gov/region9/waterinfrastructure/az-watersense-award.html continued > FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 3 Supply Schedule.
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