| (a) An authorization from the commission is not required
for the residential use of graywater and alternative onsite water
from a graywater reuse system or a combined reuse system when the
total combined average is less than 400 gallons per day and the water
is used in accordance with this subchapter. Unless directed by the
executive director, an authorization from the commission is not required
for the residential use of graywater and alternative onsite water
from a graywater reuse system or a combined reuse system when the
total combined average is greater than or equal to 400 gallons per
day and the water is used in accordance with this subchapter.
(b) The graywater and alternative onsite water must
originate from a private residence.
(c) Water from a graywater reuse system or a combined
reuse system may only be used at the private residence for the following
purposes:
(1) to minimize foundation movement and cracking;
(2) for gardening;
(3) for composting;
(4) for landscaping; or
(5) for toilet or urinal flushing.
(d) Graywater reuse systems and combined reuse systems
are not authorized to overflow onto the ground under any circumstance.
(1) Graywater reuse systems must be designed and constructed
so that the storage tank required by subsection (e) of this section
overflows to an organized wastewater collection system or an on-site
sewage facility (OSSF) unless prohibited by Chapter 285, Subchapter
H of this title (relating to Disposal of Graywater). The graywater
must enter the organized wastewater collection system or OSSF through
either one air gap or two backflow valves or backflow preventers.
(2) Combined reuse systems must be designed and constructed
so that 100% of the graywater can be diverted to an organized wastewater
collection system or an OSSF, unless prohibited by Chapter 285, Subchapter
H of this title, prior to entering the storage tank required by subsection
(e) of this section. Graywater must be diverted to the organized wastewater
collection system or OSSF during periods of non-use of the system
or if the storage tank required by subsection (e) of this section
reaches 80% capacity. The graywater must enter the organized wastewater
collection system or the OSSF through either one air gap or two backflow
valves or backflow preventers.
(3) Combined reuse systems that store stormwater, rainwater,
and/or foundation drain water must have an automatic shutoff system
to stop the inflow of stormwater, rainwater, and foundation drain
water into the combined reuse system. The automatic shutoff system
must activate when the storage tank required by subsection (e) of
this section reaches 80% capacity.
(e) Except as authorized by subsection (j) of this
section, graywater reuse systems and combined reuse systems must store
the water in tanks and the tanks must:
(1) be clearly labeled as non-potable water;
(2) restrict access, especially to children;
(3) eliminate habitat for mosquitoes and other vectors;
(4) be able to be cleaned; and
(5) meet the structural requirements of §210.25(i)
of this title (relating to Special Design Criteria for Reclaimed Water
Systems).
(f) Graywater reuse systems and combined reuse systems
must use piping that meets the piping requirement of §210.25
of this title.
(g) Water from a graywater reuse system or a combined
reuse system shall not be applied using a spray distribution system
except in accordance with the following conditions.
(1) Water from the spray distribution system must meet
the following limits: 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.
(2) Water from the spray distribution system must be
applied at times when people and pets are not actively using the distribution
area.
(3) 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.
(4) Water from the spray distribution system must be
applied at a rate to prevent ponding, puddling, or runoff.
(5) Water from the spray distribution system must not
be sprayed or allowed to drift off property.
(6) 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.
(7) The spray distribution system must be inspected
and repaired as needed to prevent discharges to water in the state
or off property.
(h) The property owner is responsible for ensuring
that the graywater reuse system or combined reuse system is properly
operated and maintained to achieve the following requirements. Monitoring
and recordkeeping for E. coli and
total suspended solids is not required. 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.
(1) Graywater and alternative onsite water shall be
treated to remove debris such as lint, leaves, twigs, and branches
prior to entering the storage tank by use of a 50 mesh screen.
(2) Swimming pool backwash and drain water cannot be
used within five days after adding chemicals for shock or acid treatment.
(3) Water from a graywater reuse system or a combined
reuse system that is used for toilet or urinal flushing must meet
the following requirements.
(A) E. coli must be
less than 14 MPN or CFU per 100 milliliters for 30-day geometric mean
and less than 240 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 graywater
and/or 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."
(i) Builders of private residences are encouraged to:
(1) install plumbing in new housing to collect graywater
and alternative onsite water from all allowable sources, taking into
consideration end-use requirements and maintaining sufficient blackwater
waste flow; and
(2) design and install a subsurface distribution system
around the foundation of new housing to minimize foundation movement
or cracking.
(j) Property owners who have been disposing of wastewater
from residential clothes-washing machines, otherwise known as laundry
graywater, directly onto the ground prior to January 6, 2005, may
continue disposing of laundry graywater under the following conditions.
(1) The disposal area must not create a nuisance or
threaten human health.
(2) Surface ponding must not occur in the disposal
area.
(3) The disposal area must support plant growth or
be sodded with vegetative cover.
(4) The disposal area must have limited access and
use by residents and pets.
(5) Laundry graywater that has been in contact with
human or animal waste must not be disposed onto the ground surface.
(6) Laundry graywater must not be disposed onto an
area where the soil is wet.
(7) A lint trap must be affixed to the end of the discharge
line.
(8) The system has not been altered after January 6,
2005, has not created a nuisance, and does not discharge graywater
from any source other than clothes-washing machines.
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