Kennewick, WA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- Critical aquifer recharge areas
- Surface spreading standard
- RCW 90.46.080 recharge criteria
- Direct injection standard
- RCW 90.46.042
- Plan approval
- By Ecology and Health depts.
Summary
Within Kennewick's critical aquifer recharge areas, reclaimed water reuse projects must follow the City's Ecology- and Health-approved water and sewer plans, with surface spreading and direct injection each held to specific state groundwater recharge standards.
Spreading or Injection of Reclaimed Water. Water reuse projects for reclaimed water must be in accordance with the adopted water or sewer comprehensive plans that have been approved by the departments of Ecology and Health. Surface spreading must meet the ground water recharge criteria given in Chapter 90.46.080 RCW and Chapter 90.46.010(10). Direct injection must be in accordance with the standards developed by authority of Chapter 90.46.042 RCW.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
KMC 18.60.050(3) regulates spreading or injecting reclaimed (recycled) water inside Kennewick's critical aquifer recharge areas, which protect the ground water supplying the City's wells. Water reuse projects must be consistent with the City's water or sewer comprehensive plans as approved by the state Departments of Ecology and Health. Surface spreading of reclaimed water must meet the ground water recharge criteria in RCW 90.46.080 and 90.46.010(10), while direct injection must meet the standards adopted under RCW 90.46.042. The rule sits inside Chapter 18.60, the City's Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas code.
Violations & Fines
Spreading or injecting reclaimed water without meeting the RCW 90.46 recharge or injection standards, or outside an Ecology- and Health-approved plan, is a critical area code violation subject to City enforcement under Title 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can reclaimed water be spread or injected in Kennewick?
Why does Kennewick regulate reclaimed water this way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kennewick
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