(a) In this section:
(1) “Graywater” means used, untreated water generated by the use of and collected from:
- (i) A shower;
- (ii) A bathtub; or
- (iii) A lavatory sink; and
(2) “Graywater” does not include water from:
- (i) A toilet;
- (ii) A kitchen sink; or
- (iii) A dishwashing machine.
(b)
(1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, and following the adoption of regulations as required by subsection (c) of this section, a person may use graywater for residential purposes including:
- (i) Household gardening;
- (ii) Composting;
- (iii) Lawn watering;
- (iv) Landscape irrigation; or
- (v) Flushing of a conventional toilet or urinal.
(2) A person may use graywater if the use is permitted under regulations required by subsection (c) of this section, and:
- (i) The graywater originates from a residence on the site on which the graywater is to be applied;
- (ii) The graywater is contained in a storage tank that is located on the site on which the graywater is to be applied;
- (iii) Human contact with graywater and soil irrigated by graywater is avoided;
- (iv) Surface application of graywater is not used for irrigation of food plants that have an edible portion that comes in direct contact with graywater;
(v) The graywater does not contain hazardous chemicals derived from any activity, including:
- 1. Cleaning motor vehicle parts;
- 2. Washing greasy or oily rags; or
- 3. Disposing of waste solutions from home photo lab activities or similar hobbyist or home occupational activities;
- (vi) The application of graywater is managed to minimize standing water on the surface of the ground;
- (vii) The graywater system is constructed to provide for overflow into a sewerage system or an on-site sewage disposal system;
- (viii) For a graywater storage tank located outdoors, the graywater storage tank is covered to restrict access and to eliminate habitat for mosquitoes and other vectors;
- (ix) The graywater system is located outside the 100-year floodplain;
- (x) The graywater system is operated to maintain a minimum vertical separation of at least 5 feet from the point of graywater application to the top of the seasonally high groundwater table;
- (xi) Any pressure piping used in a graywater system that may be susceptible to cross connection with a potable water system clearly indicates that the piping does not carry potable water;
- (xii) Graywater applied by surface irrigation does not contain water used to wash diapers or similarly soiled or infectious garments;
- (xiii) Surface irrigation by graywater is conducted only by flood irrigation or drip irrigation if there is adequate irrigation area;
- (xiv) The graywater is not sprayed; and
- (xv) The graywater does not run off or pond on-site;
- (xvi) The graywater does not create nuisance conditions; and
- (xvii) The graywater use is in accordance with any applicable State and local laws or regulations, including State and local plumbing codes.
- (c) The Department shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
Added by Acts 2018, c. 705, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.