By Mr. Rodrigues of Westport (by request), petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 848) of Michael J. Rodrigues and Sean King  that the Department of Environmental Protection be directed to establish regulations for wastewater and septic projects.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

Michael J. Rodrigues

Sean King

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act regarding water conservation and wastewater discharge.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The department of environmental protection shall develop comprehensive wastewater discharge impact regulations for all public wastewater and septic projects exceeding 2,000 GPD (Gallons Per Day) unless in an existing sewered area where the additional flow requires no upgrade to the existing sewer system or into an existing septic system that can handle the additional flow without modification.  Said regulations shall include (a) the cost of utilizing septic, sewer, or alternative systems including composting and greywater systems (b) an impact comparison of discharging greywater only to all other types of wastewater discharge on groundwater, water supply well, surface water, and surface water supply within 2,000 meters shall be assessed including their lifecycle costs.

            SECTION 2. A published report of the requirements set forth in section 1 shall be made available for public comment and review not less than 60 days period prior to final project approval.

SECTION 3. The department shall issue draft regulations not later than January 1, 2008 pertaining to reuse and discharge of greywater created by hand washing and custodial water use at public and commercial facilities and buildings. The department shall promulgate final regulations on such reuse and discharge not later than June 1, 2008.