WATER DEMAND COMMITTEE
3.	CONSIDER NEXT STEPS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATIONS FOR INSTALLATION OF GREYWATER SYSTEMS
Meeting Date:		February 19, 2009	Budgeted:	N/A
From:		Darby Fuerst	Program/	N/A
		General Manager	Line Item No.:
Prepared By:		Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Approval: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: On January 29, 2009, the Board referred the exploration of available alternative water sources from the reuse of rainwater, graywater and stormwater to the Water Demand Committee. In anticipation of this action, the Water Demand Committee at its December 2008 meeting directed staff to:

1. Contact other counties that have water reuse programs (i.e. Contra Costa, Marin and Santa Barbara) and obtain any available resources and past studies;

2. Become familiar with SB 1258 (Lowenthal) which will enact building standards for the construction, installation, and alteration of graywater systems for indoor and outdoor uses;

3. Create a matrix showing the potential uses and sources of the alternative water supply, current regulations and regulators (local, regional and state), and identify potential issues related to the development of new regulations.

4. Develop the matrix prior to meeting with County Environmental Health staff and the Board committee assigned to pursue this topic.

Following the December 2008 meeting, Water Demand Division staff compiled information from other agencies regarding the reuse of rain water, graywater and storm water. Staff attempted to obtain a wide range of information from multiple sources. Provided as Exhibit 3-A is a draft matrix showing areas issues related to the reuse of water. Exhibits 3-B - 3-C provide information related to each of the three reuse areas: rain water, graywater and storm water.

DISCUSSION: There are numerous efforts currently underway to facilitate the local reuse of rain water and graywater. Staff will be participating in a water reuse roundtable at the end of February and again in March that has been organized by the Monterey County Business Council for the purpose of facilitating regional installation guidelines for graywater and rainwater catchment systems. Participants will include reuse professionals, building officials, District staff and Health Department staff.

While District staff is participating to the extent possible in local efforts to facilitate reuse, the amount of effort needed to pursue these subjects in multiple venues exceeds available staff time. Increasing efforts related to reuse may require the assistance of contract staff to conduct research and outreach. Resources should be considered when discussing next steps.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee should discuss next steps and provide direction to staff.

EXHIBITS

3-A Draft Matrix

3-B Draft Rainwater Harvesting Information

3-C Draft Graywater Information

3-D Draft Stormwater Information

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