AWWA ACE93097

This paper presents an overview of the legislative actions, multi-agency coalitions and cooperation, management style changes, and comprehensive water reuse consulting services that were successfully employed to assist with long-term water supply needs and combat recent drought conditions in Washington state. By uniting in a common purpose to overcome the institutional obstacles often existing between reclaimed water suppliers, purveyors, and regulatory agencies, the entire process of legislative lobbying and public education, passage of the state Reclaimed Water Act, development of new state regulations to encourage beneficial reuse, and fast-track project implementation to conserve potable water supplies was accomplished in less than one year.