| (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this subchapter,
the following terms have the following meanings.
(1) Alternative onsite water--rainwater, air-conditioner
condensate, foundation drain water, stormwater, swimming pool backwash
and drain water, or reverse osmosis reject water. Cooling tower blowdown
is regulated by Subchapter E of this chapter (relating to Special
Requirements for Use of Industrial Reclaimed Water); therefore, for
the purposes of this subchapter, all references to alternative onsite
water do not include cooling tower blowdown. Reverse osmosis reject
water generated at industrial facilities, commercial facilities, and
institutions is regulated by Subchapter E of this chapter; therefore,
for the purposes of this subchapter, all references to alternative
onsite water do not include reverse osmosis reject water generated
at industrial facilities, commercial facilities, and institutions.
Reverse osmosis reject water generated at private residences and agriculture
facilities may be used in accordance with this subchapter.
(2) Alternative water reuse system--a system designed
and constructed to store and distribute one or more sources of alternative
onsite water. An alternative water reuse system shall not contain,
store, or distribute any graywater.
(3) Combined reuse system--a system designed and constructed
to store and distribute graywater and one or more sources of alternative
onsite water.
(4) Graywater-- wastewater from showers, bathtubs,
handwashing lavatories, sinks that are used for disposal of household
or domestic products, sinks that are not used for food preparation
or disposal, and clothes-washing machines. Graywater does not include
wastewater from the washing of material, including diapers, soiled
with human excreta or wastewater that has come into contact with toilet
waste.
(5) Graywater reuse system--a system designed and constructed
to store and distribute graywater only. A graywater reuse system shall
not contain, store, or distribute any source of alternative onsite
water.
(b) Alternative water reuse systems. The following
requirements apply to alternative water reuse systems used at a private
residence, industrial facility, commercial facility, institution,
or agriculture facility.
(1) Water from an alternative water reuse system may
be reused for beneficial purposes including but not limited to landscape
irrigation, gardening, composting, foundation stabilization, and toilet
and urinal flushing. An alternative water reuse system may store and
use either a single source or a combination of sources of alternative
onsite water, and in any volume.
(2) Reverse osmosis reject water generated at an industrial
facility, commercial facility, or an institution is prohibited from
being stored and used in an alternative water reuse system. Reverse
osmosis reject water generated by an industrial facility, commercial
facility, or an institution is regulated by Subchapter E of this chapter.
(3) Reuse of water from an alternative water reuse
system does not require authorization from the commission if used
in accordance with this subchapter. The property owner is responsible
for ensuring that the alternative water reuse system is properly operated
and maintained to comply with the requirements of this subchapter.
(4) Water from an alternative water reuse system must
be applied at a rate that will not result in ponding or pooling, or
cause runoff across the property lines or onto any paved surface.
(5) Water from an alternative water reuse system shall
not be applied using a spray distribution system except in accordance
with the following conditions.
(A) Water from the spray distribution system must be
applied at times when people and pets are not actively using the distribution
area.
(B) Water from the spray distribution system must not
be applied during rainfall events, when the ground is frozen, or within
24 hours after one-half inch or more of rain.
(C) Water from the spray distribution system must be
applied at a rate to prevent ponding, puddling, or runoff.
(D) Water from the spray distribution system must not
be sprayed or allowed to drift off the property.
(E) The spray distribution system must not be connected
to a potable or raw water irrigation system unless suitable backflow
prevention is provided to protect the potable or raw water system.
(F) The spray distribution system must be inspected
and repaired as needed to prevent discharges to water in the state
or off the property.
(6) The storage and use of water from an alternative
water reuse system must not create a nuisance, threaten human health,
or damage the quality of surface water or groundwater.
(7) Swimming pool backwash and drain water cannot be
used within five days of adding chemicals for shock or acid treatment.
(8) Water from an alternative water reuse system that
is used for toilet or urinal flushing must meet the following requirements.
Property owners may refer to the regulatory guidance document that
is required by the Texas Health and Safety Code, §341.039, for
assistance in complying with these requirements.
(A) For residential toilet or urinal flushing, Escherichia coli (E. coli) must be less
than 14 most probable number (MPN) or colony-forming units (CFU) per
100 milliliters for 30-day geometric mean and less than 240 MPN or
CFU per 100 milliliters maximum single grab sample. For industrial,
commercial, or agricultural toilet or urinal flushing, E. coli must be less than 2.2 MPN or CFU
per 100 milliliters for 30-day geometric mean and less than 200 MPN
or CFU per 100 milliliters maximum single grab sample.
(B) Total suspended solids must be less than 10.0 milligrams
per liter for 30-day geometric mean and less than 30.0 milligrams
per liter maximum single grab sample.
(C) All exposed piping and piping carrying alternative
onsite water within a building must be either purple pipe or painted
purple; all buried piping must be either manufactured in purple, painted
purple, taped with purple metallic tape, or bagged in purple; and
all exposed piping must be stenciled in yellow with a warning reading
"NON-POTABLE WATER." An alternative water reuse system that stores
only rainwater, commonly referred to as a rainwater harvesting system,
and uses the water for potable purposes in accordance with §290.44
of this title (relating to Water Distribution) is exempt from this
subparagraph.
(9) An alternative water reuse system cannot have a
physical connection to an organized wastewater collection system or
an on-site sewage facility (OSSF). When the system reaches capacity,
it is allowed to overflow onto the ground only if the overflow is
caused by inflow of rainwater or stormwater. Overflow under these
conditions is exempt from the requirement of paragraph (4) of this
subsection.
(10) An alternative water reuse system may be subject
to backflow prevention requirements in §290.44 of this title
to protect public water supply systems from cross-contamination.
(c) Graywater reuse systems and combined reuse systems.
The following requirements apply to all graywater reuse systems and
combined reuse systems.
(1) Construction of a graywater reuse system or a combined
reuse system, including storage and distribution systems, must comply
with this subchapter and any requirements of the local permitting
authority.
(2) Water from a graywater reuse system or a combined
reuse system must be applied at a rate that will not result in ponding
or pooling and will not cause runoff across the property lines or
onto any paved surface.
(3) The storage and use of water from a graywater reuse
system or a combined reuse system must not create a nuisance, threaten
human health, or damage the quality of surface water or groundwater.
(4) A graywater reuse system or combined reuse system
may be subject to backflow prevention requirements in §290.44
of this title to protect public water supply systems from cross-contamination.
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