Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 340 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Division 53 - GRAYWATER REUSE AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
Section 340-053-0080 - General Requirements for Graywater Reuse and Disposal Systems
Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 3, March 1, 2024
(1) Responsibility to comply with rules. Any person owning or operating a graywater reuse and disposal system must ensure that the graywater is used only in accordance with the rules in this division.
(2) Permit required. A person may not construct, install or operate a graywater reuse and disposal system unless authorized by a permit issued by the department under OAR chapter 340, division 45.
(3) Beneficial purpose. A person must only use graywater for beneficial purposes as specified for the applicable levels of treatment described in OAR 340-053-0090.
(4) Prohibited use for human consumption. A person may not use graywater for drinking, personal hygiene bathing, showering, cooking, dishwashing or maintaining oral hygiene regardless of the level of treatment, unless approved in writing by the department and with written approval from the Oregon Health Authority.
(5) Connection to a wastewater disposal system. Unless authorized by the department in a permit issued under OAR 340-053-0110(2) or 340-071-0162, a person may not construct, install or operate a graywater reuse and disposal system unless the system is connected to an approved sewerage system or a functioning onsite wastewater treatment system approved under OAR 340-071.
(6) Surface and stormwater discharges prohibited. A person may not allow graywater to discharge to surface waters of the state, a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4), an industrial stormwater system or a stormwater management structure.
(7) Groundwater protection. The department will not authorize a graywater reuse and disposal system for use unless the groundwater quality protection requirements in OAR chapter 340, division 40 are met. The requirements in OAR chapter 340, division 40 are presumed to be met if the graywater is applied in a manner and at a rate that minimizes the movement of contaminants to groundwater and does not adversely impact groundwater quality. If the use of graywater occurs in a designated groundwater management area declared under ORS 468B.180, a wellhead protection area established under OAR 340-040-0140 through 340-040-0210, or a geographic region identified in an area wide aquifer management plan established by OAR 340-040-0070, the department may require additional conditions to be met.
(8) Graywater limitations. A person must divert the following wastewaters to an approved sewerage system, a functioning onsite wastewater treatment system or holding tank system approved under OAR 340-071:
(9) Waste strength limitations. A person may not divert graywater from an onsite wastewater treatment system if the resulting septic tank effluent concentration exceeds the criteria for residential strength wastewater as defined in OAR 340-071-0100. If the resulting septic tank effluent concentration does exceed the criteria for residential strength wastewater, the owner or operator of the graywater reuse and disposal system must take appropriate measures to reduce the septic tank effluent waste strength, such as but not limited to reducing the amount of graywater diverted from the onsite wastewater treatment system.
(10) Graywater reuse and disposal system design flow. A person must design a graywater reuse and disposal system to treat, store or use the volume of graywater needed for the intended beneficial purpose or purposes. Graywater in excess of the design flow must be diverted to an approved sewerage system, or a functioning onsite wastewater treatment system or holding tank system approved under OAR 340-071. The department will use the design flows in Table 1 to determine the appropriate graywater reuse and disposal system permit and may require a person to use the graywater flow volumes in Table 1 in the design of a graywater reuse and disposal system.
(11) System design plan. The owner or operator of a graywater reuse and disposal system must have and maintain a written system design plan and must transfer it to the new owner or operator on property transfer.
(12) Operation and maintenance. The owner or operator of a graywater reuse and disposal system must operate and maintain the system in compliance with all permit conditions and applicable requirements of this division.
(13) Operation and maintenance manual.
(14) Reporting. When required by permit or the rules of this division, the owner or operator of a graywater reuse and disposal system must submit an annual report to the department with a certification statement that during the previous year, the system was operated in compliance with the rules of this division and the permit limits and conditions for graywater reuse. At minimum, the report must also include a description of the operation and maintenance of the system, including any required monitoring results.
(15) Graywater irrigation site evaluation. A person must evaluate and ensure that a graywater irrigation site meets the irrigation site selection and management requirements specified in OAR 340-053-0090. When required by the rules of this division, a person must submit to the department for review and approval a site evaluation report including, but not limited to, the following site information:
(16) Property lines crossed. A person may reuse graywater only on the property on which it was generated, unless all of the following conditions are met:
(17) Land use evaluation. A person is not required to obtain a land use compatibility statement (LUCS) signed by the local planning agency for a graywater reuse and disposal system producing less than 1,200 gallons per day if the system is connected to an approved sewerage system or an onsite wastewater treatment system approved under OAR 340-071.
(18) Additional permit limitations and conditions. The department may include additional permit limitations or conditions to protect public health or the environment.
To view tables referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 454.610, 454.625, 468.020 & 468B.010
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 454.610, 454.615, 468B.020 & 468B.050