Senate Bill 536 (SB 536) Study

Study Requirements

Senate Bill 536, which passed in the 2014 Legislative Session, required "DEP, in coordination with stakeholders to conduct a comprehensive study and submit a report (Final Report on Expansion of Beneficial Use of Reclaimed Water, Stormwater and Excess Surface Water) on the expansion of use of reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water in this state." 

Additional Study Requirements Include

• Hold a minimum of two public meetings to gather input on the study.
• Provide an opportunity for the public to submit written comments before submitting the report.
• Submit a report to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House no later than Dec. 1, 2015, that includes the following:
  • Identification of measures that would lead to the efficient use for reclaimed water.
  • Identification of environmental, engineering, public health, public perception and fiscal constraints of expansion, including utility rate structures for reclaimed water.
  • Identification of areas in the State where traditional water supply sources are limited and the use of reclaimed water, stormwater, or excess surface water for irrigation or other purposes is necessary.
  • Recommendation of permit incentives, such as extending current authorization for long-term consumptive use permits for all entities that substitute reclaimed water for traditional water sources that become unavailable or otherwise cost prohibitive.
  • Determination of the feasibility, benefit and cost estimate of the infrastructure needed to construct regional storage features on public or private lands for reclaimed water, stormwater and excess surface water, including the collection and delivery mechanisms for beneficial uses such as agricultural irrigation, power generation, public water supply, wetland restoration, groundwater recharge and waterbody base flow augmentation.

Public Workshop Materials

Presentation materials from the SB 536 public workshops are available from the links below. 

• SB 536 Draft Report - August 20 Webinar Recording.
• SB 536 Study and Report - August 20th Workshop Presentation.
• 2014 Public Workshop Agenda.
• SB 536 Workshop Presentation SJR - Nov. 13, 2014.
• SB 536 Workshop Presentation SWF – Oct. 29, 2014.
• SB 536 Workshop Presentation NWF – Oct. 27, 2014.
• SB 536 Workshop Presentation SF – Oct. 20, 2014.
• SB 536 Workshop Presentation SR – Oct. 8, 2014.