Lacey, WA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Chapter 13.64 of the Lacey Municipal Code creates the City of Lacey's Reclaimed Water Utility. Section 13.64.010 says the chapter sets uniform policies for distributing and using reclaimed water as required by the State Reclaimed Water Permits issued to the LOTT Alliance, and that it is to be construed consistently with Chapter 90.46 RCW. Section 13.64.020 defines Reclaimed Water as water that meets State Class A criteria, and lists End Uses that include commercial and industrial uses, irrigation, aquifer recharge, stream flow augmentation, water right mitigation, and environmental enhancement or mitigation. End Uses do not include human consumption.

Service starts with a contract. Section 13.64.060 authorizes Reclaimed Water Service Agreements and makes the conditions listed in it binding on every customer. The customer cannot use reclaimed water for human consumption, cannot sell, lease, give or transfer it to any other party, and cannot discharge it to a watercourse, water body or stormwater facility unless expressly authorized. Extending the system requires the city's prior written consent, and interconnection with any public or private potable water system is prohibited. Piping, valves, storage facilities and outlets must be tagged, labeled or color coded purple. Representatives of the city, LOTT, the Washington State Department of Health or the Department of Ecology can enter to inspect and sample, and Section 13.64.150 lets the city discontinue service immediately if an owner or occupant restrains the inspections.

Metering and waste are covered too. Section 13.64.040 requires all use of reclaimed water to be metered, with the city installing and maintaining the meters. Section 13.64.110 defines waste as applying reclaimed water to a landscape in sufficient quantity to cause significant runoff to impervious areas, significant overspray onto nonlandscaped areas, or substantial puddling, and as allowing leaking valves, pipes, closets, faucets or other fixtures. Section 13.64.090 prohibits every cross-connection between the reclaimed system and a private or municipal potable supply. Where both reclaimed and potable water are supplied to a use area, it requires a reduced pressure principle backflow prevention device or an approved air gap separation at the potable water service connection.

Service is conditional. Section 13.64.070 conditions continued service on full and continuous compliance, and lists temporary interruptions for which the city is not liable, including limited quantities of reclaimed water and the LOTT Alliance acting to comply with its Permits. Section 13.64.080 lets the city permanently discontinue service at any time with 30 days prior written notice to the end user.