What is Industrial Reuse Water?
“Industrial reuse water” is industrial wastewater that does not contain sewage and has been adequately and reliably treated so that it is suitable for beneficial uses. Permits are issued by Ecology under the state Water Pollution Control Act, Chapter 90.48 RCW, to the owner of the industrial treatment plant who may then distribute the water subject to provisions in the permit governing the location, rate, water quality and the purpose of use. Because it does not have a sewage component and may have wastewater characteristics that differ from municipal wastewater, industrial reuse water may have treatment and permit requirements that are different from those contained in the Water Reclamation and Reuse Standards. If there are significant concerns for public health, Ecology consults with the Department of Health before issuing a permit. The permittee has the exclusive right to the use of the water and is exempted from the water right permitting requirements under the state water code. Us
