​​As required by residential graywater reuse legislation, adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2018, the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) is developing regulations. The statute defines graywater to include bath/shower water and lavatory sink water. It excludes toilet, kitchen sink, dishwasher and laundry water.

The regulations will govern how local governments authorize and oversee the installation, operation, maintenance and use of graywater systems. Graywater uses, which depend on the level of treatment employed, range from outdoor subsurface irrigation to indoor toilet flushing. By establishing standards for graywater reuse systems, this regulation will protect public health, safety and welfare; public water supplies; and waters of the state. It will also, reduce demand on drinking water sources, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing potable water, lower consumer water supply costs, and improve drought resiliency.

 

Background Material

Graywater Overview Tables (PDF) 
Draft Graywater System Schematics (PDF)

2018 Graywater Legislation (SB 496) - PDF​​ 
7-Minute Introductory Video
 

 

Advisory Committee Members​

• Gary Antonides, Chesapeake Environmental Protection Association
• Tom Buckley, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
• Matthew Cummers, Calvert County Health Department
• David Duree, Advance Systems
• Jeff Glass, City of Westminster
• Barry Glotfelty, Frederick County Health Department
• Amy Hart, Howard County
• Evelyn Hoban, Prince George’s County Health Department
• Paul Jester, Landscape Contractors Association, MD, DC, VA
• Saeid Kasraei, MDE Water Supply Program
• Clifford Mitchell, Maryland Department of Health
• Robert Mitchell, Worcester County Health Department
• Zoreh Movahed, Chesapeake Water Environment Association
• Masoud  Negahban-Azar, University of Maryland
• Mike Moulds, Maryland Association of Counties (Dir. Kent County Dept. Public Works)
• Joe Radtka, State Board of Plumbing
• Justin Ready, Maryland Senate
• Edwin Singer, Maryland Association of County Health Officers
• Ching-Tzone Tien, MDE Water Permits Program
• Claire Welty, Univ. of Maryland Baltimore County
• Jenny Willoughby, Maryland Municipal League (City of Frederick)

Meeting Schedule

1. Meeting Agenda (PDF)
2. Meeting Highlights (PDF)​
   

1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Terra Room, 1st Floor
MDE Headquarters - Baltimore​ 

1. Meeting Agenda (PDF)
   
2. Graywater Background Presentation (PDF)
3. Plumbing Codes for Nonpotable Water Systems (PDF)
4. Meeting Highlights (PDF)

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