S.B. No. 1633AN ACT relating to the installation and use of a water softener or reverse osmosis system by an owner of an on-site sewage disposal system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 366, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 366.013 to read as follows: Sec. 366.013. INSTALLATION AND USE OF WATER SOFTENERS AND REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), an owner may install or use a water softener that discharges effluent into an on-site sewage disposal system only if the installed water softener: (1) conserves water by design; (2) regenerates using a demand-initiated regeneration control device, commonly known as a DIR device; and (3) is clearly labeled as being equipped with a DIR device, with the label affixed to the outside of the system so that it may be inspected and easily read. (b) An owner may use a water softener that discharges effluent into an on-site sewage disposal system and that does not meet the requirements of Subsection (a) if the water softener was installed before September 1, 2003. The owner must replace the water softener with a water softener that meets the requirements of Subsection (a) if the owner: (1) replaces the water softener; or (2) installs a new on-site sewage disposal system for the building or other property served by the existing system. (c) An owner may install and use a point-of-use reverse osmosis system that discharges effluent into an on-site sewage disposal system. (d) An owner may install and use a point-of-entry reverse osmosis system that discharges effluent into an on-site sewage disposal system if the calculated volume of effluent: (1) does not cause hydraulic overloading; or (2) has been adequately addressed in the design of the on-site sewage disposal system. (e) This section does not apply to an aerobic, nonstandard, or proprietary on-site sewage treatment system unless the water softener drain line to the system bypasses the treatment system and flows into the pump tank or directly into the discharge method. (f) The commission by rule shall adopt and implement standards for the use of water softeners and reverse osmosis systems in a building or other property served by an on-site sewage disposal system. SECTION 2. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall adopt rules to implement the standards required by Subsection (f), Section 366.013, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later than June 1, 2004. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1633 passed the Senate on May 6, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 30, 2003, by a viva-voce vote. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1633 passed the House, with amendment, on May 28, 2003, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor