WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 591

Mary Elizabeth Mullikin Annual Legislative Softball Game

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Adams and 45 co-sponsors

Creates statewide rules for on-site greywater reuse, Tier 1 systems up to 400 gal/day for single-family homes, enabling limited reuse and local oversight.

Introduced and adopted
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 591

Summary — S.591 (Print 591A): "An Act relative to greywater recycling"

Note on source material: The official bill text in the docket identifies James B. Eldridge (with Patrick M. O’Connor listed on the petition) as the sponsor and is titled “An Act relative to greywater recycling.” Some metadata supplied with the request (sponsor lists and an alternate title about school meal purchases) appears inconsistent with the Massachusetts bill text; this summary is based on the Massachusetts Senate bill text (Print 591A) as provided. Portions of the bill text were truncated in the source; where relevant this is noted below.

Purpose

Establish statewide standards to (1) regulate on-site greywater recycling and irrigation systems, (2) encourage safe reuse of household greywater to conserve water and reduce demand on sewer systems, and (3) provide a permitting/enforcement framework that balances public health protection with ease of adoption (especially for single‑family systems).

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 23 to Chapter 142 of the Massachusetts General Laws, defining terms and creating a regulatory framework for greywater reuse.
  • Definitions provided for key terms: “greywater,” “blackwater,” “greywater irrigation system,” “on‑site sewage system,” “public sewer system,” “single family residence,” and two system tiers:
    • Tier 1: residential systems with design flow ≤ 400 gallons/day (serving a single‑family residence).
    • Tier 2: systems serving larger residential or non‑residential buildings connected to public sewer or large on‑site systems.
  • Applicability:
    • Applies to multi‑family buildings using less than 3,000 gallons/day and to greywater reuse inside buildings regulated by the Uniform State Plumbing Code.
    • Requires compliance with local ordinances, the Uniform State Plumbing Code, and other state statutes/regulations.
    • Greywater reuse is not a substitute for required connection to an approved on‑site sewage system or public sewer.
  • Local implementation and enforcement:
    • Local boards of health must implement the section; if they do not, state provisions still apply.
    • Local boards may set permit fees; they may adopt more stringent rules.
  • Design and safety limits:
    • Greywater must not contain hazardous chemicals from certain activities (e.g., auto cleaning, grease/oil, photo processing).
    • Design goal: store greywater no longer than 24 hours.
    • Kitchen sink (dishwashing) water may be permitted with local building official approval but must be applied subsurface or via a rat‑proof outlet shield.
    • Towns/cities may not further limit the described greywater uses by ordinance.
  • Tier 1 (private, <400 gpd) exemptions:
    • No permit required for reusing <400 gpd from a single‑family dwelling for toilet flushing, household gardening, composting, or landscape irrigation if: the greywater originates from a single‑family dwelling; human and pet contact is minimized; and overflow/diversion to sewer or on‑site system is provided.
  • The bill text provided is truncated before completion of subsection (g) and full Tier 2 requirements and any explicit mandate language for new multifamily construction (referenced in the section heading) are not contained in the excerpt.

Who is affected

  • Homeowners (single‑family) who want on‑site reuse of greywater — especially small Tier 1 systems — benefit from simplified rules and a possible permit exemption.
  • Developers/owners of multifamily and non‑residential buildings (Tier 2) — subject to larger system standards (details partly truncated).
  • Local boards of health — required to implement/enforce the section; may charge fees and adopt stricter rules.
  • Plumbing/building officials and contractors who design and install greywater systems.

Implementation, procedure & status (selected)

  • Filed (Senate Docket): 01/17/2025; introduced/read in Senate: 02/13/2025; printed as 591A: 02/14/2025.
  • Referred to committee (Environment and Natural Resources). Hearing scheduled (per docket) for 06/17/2025.
  • The docket indicates further actions (accompanying a study order S2747); consult the official legislative site for up‑to‑date status.

Notes / uncertainties

  • The document excerpt is incomplete. The section heading references “mandating greywater recycling in new multifamily construction projects,” but explicit mandatory language or detailed Tier 2 rules are not present in the provided text. Review the full bill (Print 591A) for the complete Tier 2 provisions, any mandates for new multifamily construction, and final technical/permit requirements before drawing conclusions about obligations for developers or municipalities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.