Modular biological graywater reuse system for commercial applications www.grayworks.com.
As Hawaii continues to struggle with the pressures of climate change, water scarcity, and salt-water intrusion, the creation of a resilient water supply has become paramount. In an effort to establish a sustainable water source, the Hawaii state legislature passed a bill mandating all new buildings be equipped with a gray water reuse system. [1] [3]
Utilizing gray water as an effective means to offset potable water use is not a new idea in the Aloha State. Throughout the island residents have used primitive methods of gray water recycling for generations, as Sen. Clarence Nishihara, co-founder of the bill described to the Associated Press. “Growing up in the upcountry Maui, many families had Japanese baths called ‘furos’, and they would let the water drain off into fields or plants.” [1]
The bill was first introduced in January by Senators Clarence Nishihara and Mike Gabbard as a means to help the state manage water supply challenges. While critics say the bill would potentially increase construction costs and delay building schedules, others say that the bill lacks enough detailed information to support the regulation. [1]
Sen. Nishihara and Se. Gabbard believe prioritizing the use of potable water is far more important. “Right now we use clean water for flushing toilets,” Nishihara said in the same interview with the Associated Press. “Maybe a better use of clean water would be irrigation.” [1]
The Hawaii Department of Health, a strong proponent of the bill has suggested that more can be done to reuse gray water once the state building code is updated to allow for dual plumbing system. The way the current bill is written Any new buildings proposed without a graywater system will be denied a building permit. As of now, individual counties would come up with their own regulations for what type of gray water system to use. [1]
The graywater reuse bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2020. To read the full bill, click here.
[1] Associated Press. State Bill Mandates Gray Water Systems. Construction Equipment Guide, March 20, 2017. Web. http://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/state-bill-mandates-gray-water-systems/33303 [2] Clarence Nishihara and Mike Gabbard. A Bill for an Act Relating to Gray Water. The Senate, state of Hawaii, March 2, 2017. Web. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2017/CommReports/SB555_SD1_SSCR609_.pdf [3] Audrey, McAvoy. Global Warming will Stress Hawaii’s Fresh Water. Star Advertiser, May 6, 2014. Web. http://www.staradvertiser.com/2014/05/06/breaking-news/global-warming-will-stress-hawaiis-fresh-water/