h_agr_2018a_2018-01-22t13:28:42z2 Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Arndt and Hansen presented House Bill 18-1053, concerning the allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, and allowing reclaimed water to be used for marijuana cultivation. The bill, recommended by the Water Resources Review Committee, codifies rules promulgated by the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC), within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), related to the allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, and expands allowable uses to include marijuana cultivation. Additionally, the bill defines three categories of water quality standards. Under current law, reclaimed domestic wastewater is wastewater that has received treatment for subsequent reuses other than drinking. The Colorado Water Quality Control Act authorized the WQCC to promulgate control regulations to describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater that will protect public health and encourage reuse.

Jon Gray, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Ashley Weber, Colorado Normal, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Michael Nicoletti, CDPHE, testified in a neutral position on the bill. He discussed several provisions of the bill that CDPHE is concerned with.

Brandi Honeycutt, CDPHE, testified in a neutral position on the bill and expressed similar concerns regarding the bill and the limitation of the rule-making ability as outlined in the bill.

Ms. Honeycutt responded to questions from the committee regarding the safety of using reclaimed wastewater for marijuana cultivation. Representative Arndt responded to questions from the committee regarding whether marijuana would be considered an edible crop for purposes of the bill. Mr. Nicoletti also responded to questions regarding provisions in the bill.

Kara Miller, Marijuana Industry Group, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Abby Antolovich, Denver Water, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Antolovich responded to questions from the committee regarding the salinity in reclaimed wastewater and its possible effects on marijuana cultivation. Ms. Antolovich responded to questions from the committee regarding more broad uses for reclaimed water in other states.

Chris Piper, Denver Water, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Arndt laid over the bill until Monday January 29, 2018, for action only.