Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota. Water Reuse Interagency Workgroup Stakeholder Meeting October 2, 2017

Transcription

1 Advancing Safe and Sustainable Water Reuse in Minnesota Water Reuse Interagency Workgroup Stakeholder Meeting October 2, 2017

2 We are all here because we care and we want to move forward 10/2/2017 2

3 Outline Where we Recommendations and

4 Situation leading up to this effort Questions from implementers and agencies Golf courses Stormwater reuse workgroups Gold n Plump Eco-development Rainwater harvesting State park graywater Direction from Statewide Efforts Clean Water Fund Roadmap Uniform Plumbing Code adoption Stormwater Manual update Environmental Quality Board report

5 Partnering to develop risk-based public health guidance

6 Risk-based Framework for the Development of Public Health Guidance Goal: Prepare recommendations on the following: Water quality pathogen reduction targets for multiple types of alternate water sources Monitoring regimes for water quality Management considerations for systems Strategies for permitting projects Applications and end uses of treated alternate water sources Final report was initially due end of September, 2016 Was released March 15, 2017

7 Study University of Minnesota Clean Water Fund: Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) Water Reuse and Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Dr. Tim LaPara, Cheryl Haines Civil, Environmental, and Geo-engineering Two stormwater reuse systems Residence hall toilet flushing Irrigation system

8 were tasked to do Prepare a comprehensive study of and recommendations for regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to water reuse for use in the development of state policy for water reuse in Minnesota. Budget: $350,000 $100,000 to continue U of M study $250,000 to workgroup member agencies and facilitators Timeframe: two years Health Department is lead

9 We did a lot in two years Research Types of water reuse systems How other water reuse programs communicate Regulations in other places Assessment How MN currently regulates water reuse The health, environmental and liability risks of water reuse Sought Perspectives Surveys Site visits Stakeholder meetings

10 We got everyone in the same room and the big conversation Workgroup representing: 19 Workgroup Meetings 4 Stakeholder Meetings Stakeholders representing: A diverse range of local governments, non-governmental organizations, businesses, cities, industries, engineers Goal for today: clarity, support, concerns

11 We will a final report as a springboard Report to be released November 2017 Report goals include: Provide summary background information on reuse practices Provide an assessment of risks associated with various types of reuse and options for managing those risks Provide an evaluation of the need for regulation vs. guidance to provide controls for reuse practices Offer ideas for next steps for decision-makers Report does not answer all questions

12 Recommendation 1. Define who will do what Assign clear roles. Advances: Clarifies regulatory pathway and defines roles for support and oversight : Assess financial, staffing, and other resources needed to establish this type of system Assess agency priorities Interpret agency authorities to determine the need for any changes to statutes/rules Choose a single point of contact to walk implementers through the process

13 Integrate water reuse into governance DLI Enforce plumbing code and maintain responsibility for all piping, valve, and other plumbing appurtenances MPCA Provides guidance, review, oversight and monitoring of outdoor reuse based on risk based management system MDH Provides guidance, review, oversight and monitoring of indoor reuse based on risk based management system, provide expertise on public health considerations DNR Assess potential environmental impacts of reuse systems on public waters, wetlands, and groundwater resources MDA Retains authority over food irrigation and facility inspection 13

14 Recommendation 2. Develop water quality criteria based on the pathogen reduction target approach Provide flexibility. Advances: Provides an approach for setting meaningful water quality criteria for the variety of water reuse activities around the state : Set pathogen reduction targets for applications of interest in Minnesota Evaluate the pathogen reduction approach using existing or new case studies Educate authorities and stakeholders

15 Log pathogen reduction log removal

16 Pathogen reduction targets

17 Rainwater/stormwater for toilet flushing

18 Expanding the pathogen reduction target table Restricted access: where can we reduce exposure to essentially zero and eliminate need for pathogen reduction? Restricted access (irrigation at night, fenced off, or drip irrigation), AND No exposure to turf (commercial landscape, non-food crops) Would not apply to graywater or wastewater since these can t be discharged untreated Other end uses Vehicle washing, decorative fountains, garden irrigation Other sources/other stormwater dilutions

19 Example treatment and monitoring

20 Examples

21 Recommendation 3. Develop a risk-based management system Use risk-based decision making. Advances: Provides increased protection and reliability where public health and/or environmental risk is high : Fit applications of interest into risk categories Work on details of risk categories: requirements, recommendations, agency roles

22 Risk-based management Category 1 (low risk): Primarily guidance Example: Stormwater reuse for landscape irrigation, restricted access (nighttime irrigation) Category 2 (moderate risk): Mix of guidance and regulation Example: Stormwater reuse for irrigation on individual lots or athletic fields Category 3 (high risk): Primarily regulation Example: Graywater reuse for toilet flushing at a public building

23 Responsible management

24 Recommendation 4. Determine standards and guidelines Provide direction. Advances: Provides clarity, information and assistance for implementers : Pursue resources to establish a multi-disciplinary group to develop standards and guidelines

25 Recommendation 5. Simplify the process for implementers Make it easy. Advances: Allows processes and permitting to be as clear and simple as possible : Explore ways to streamline permits and processes Evaluate the feasibility of an online portal or one-stop-shop for information

26 Recommendation 6. Educate about water reuse Educate. Educate. Educate. Advances: Provides necessary training and education for designers, operators and implementers : Develop reuse curriculum (use existing resources where possible) Build on existing education structures already in place for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater

27 Recommendation 7. Work to resolve the unique issues related to graywater reuse Keep working on the unique graywater issues. Advances: Expands graywater as a source of reuse where possible : Pursue resources to establish a workgroup to discuss graywater issues and resolve as possible

28 Recommendation 8. Conduct ongoing research Keep learning. Advances Fills knowledge gaps so reuse can become even more successful : Continue to gather data on stormwater quality and other sources Involve the public in risk assessment Share lessons learned Continuously review national guidelines and research and communicate with other states implementing reuse

29 Next steps already underway LCCMR Project 04f : Assessment of Water Quality for Reuse System Design: Collect information on design elements (including water source, storage, and treatment devices) for 24 water reuse systems within the state Pathogens: Quantitatively detect multiple human pathogens in the 24 water reuse systems. Compare pathogen data among the reuse systems. National Blue Ribbon Commission for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems Guidebook for Developing and Implementing Regulations for Onsite Non-potable Water Systems Business model for utilities Technical Memo on Pathogen Crediting Frameworks

30 Broad Keep digesting recommendations Case studies Continue with open/honest/respectful conversation Subgroup meetings planned for the near future Increase public involvement Continue with projects underway Prioritize needs and develop proposals Where do you fit in? 10/2/

31 Questions? 10/2/