Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Environmental Regulation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2798 by Farrar (Relating to the regulation and reuse of wastewater.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
The bill would amend Texas Health and Safety Code to allow a county with population of more than 3.3 million to implement a pilot program to reuse any form of wastewater, treated on-site, at a county owned facility for subsurface irrigation and toilet and urinal flushing. According to the Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), domestic wastewater reuse is authorized under current TCEQ rules (30 TAC 210, Subchapters A-D). These rules allow wastewater, graywater, and alternative onsite water to be reused for subsurface irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing, as well as other purposes.
According to Harris County, the bill would save taxpayer money by utilizing reuse in areas where conventional systems are more costly.