Oregon DEQ: Water Quality - Water Reuse Program

On June 12, 2009, Governor Ted Kulongoski signed into law House Bill 2080, which legalizes the use of graywater for beneficial uses. The bill establishes that a person may not construct, install, or operate a graywater reuse and disposal system without a permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The bill further directs the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to adopt rules for graywater permitting.

Introduction
Regulations
Rulemaking

Graywater Advisory Committee
Permitting
Related Links

Introduction

Under Oregon law, graywater means shower and bath wastewater, bathroom sink water, kitchen sink wastewater, and laundry wastewater. Graywater does not mean toilet or garbage wastes, or wastewater contaminated by soiled diapers.

Graywater can be contaminated with organic matter, suspended solids, or potentially pathogenic microorganisms. However, if appropriately collected and handled, graywater can be safely reused for flushing toilets and urinals as well as irrigating certain trees and plants. Reuse of graywater reduces the demand on other sources of water, such as potable water, surface water, and groundwater.

Graywater Rulemaking Fact Sheet PDF

Regulations

HB 2080 directs the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to adopt rules on graywater permitting. DEQ is working with an Advisory Committee to develop these rules.

House Bill 2080 PDF
Text of HB 2080 relating to graywater as signed by Governor Kulongoski.

Rulemaking

DEQ is working to address HB 2080's requirements to adopt graywater use rules. The EQC has been directed to make the following considerations when adopting new rules:

Consider the recommendations of an Advisory Committee;
Minimize the burden of permit requirements on property owners; and
Prescribe requirements that allow for the treatment, disposal, or reuse of graywater

Because of the human health, environmental, and technical issues associated with graywater reuse that must be considered by the Advisory Committee, DEQ expects the rulemaking process to take approximately 2 years.

Graywater Advisory Committee

The Graywater Advisory Committee will develop and provide DEQ with recommendations on the treatment, disposal, and reuse of graywater. DEQ will consider these recommendations when writing the new graywater rules.

Permitting

DEQ regulates the use of graywater outside a building structure in Oregon. How graywater use will be permitted and allowed under the new law will be defined in the new graywater rules.

Non-potable use of graywater within a structure is regulated under the state plumbing code. Additional information on water conservation practices within a structure is available from the Building Codes Divisions of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.