Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency shall propose and, within one year after receipt of the Agency's proposal, the Board shall adopt (1) amendments to the Board's primary drinking water standards that will repeal the prohibition on the use of recycled sewage treatment plant effluent set forth in subsection (c) of 35 Ill. Adm. Code 611.231 and that will make any other revisions to those rules that are necessary to facilitate water reuse in the State and (2) rules establishing programs for both direct potable and nonpotable reuse of treated wastewater, including rules establishing permitting standards and a permit application process. Effective immediately.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 3: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Environmental Protection Act. In a provision regarding actions prohibited under the Act, provides that compliance with the terms and conditions of a permit that is issued under a specified provision of the Act and that authorizes reuse of wastewater for irrigation shall be deemed compliance with the water-related prohibitions set out in a specified provision of the Act. Provides that the use of treated municipal wastewater from a publicly owned treatment works is authorized for irrigation when conducted in accordance with a permit issued under a specified provision of the Act. Provides that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency may (rather than shall) propose and the Illinois Pollution Control Board shall adopt rules regarding the use of recycled sewage treatment plant effluent to facilitate water reuse, as well as rules establishing programs for direct potable reuse of treated wastewater.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 415 ILCS 5/14
Engrossed: 415 ILCS 5/14
Enrolled: 415 ILCS 5/12, 415 ILCS 5/14