Environment - Reservoir Augmentation Permit - Establishment

SB 265 establishes a Reservoir Augmentation Program under Maryland’s Department of Environment, requiring permits for projects that add treated reclaimed water to surface reservoirs used as drinking water sources. It directly affects water treatment facilities, municipalities, and operators of drinking water systems that wish to use reclaimed water (treated sewage meeting specific quality standards) for reservoir augmentation. Key provisions mandate that permits can only be issued if the treatment process meets department-established standards before water enters both the reservoir and the distribution system, and require permit holders to allow department inspections. The bill also specifies that certain revenues must fund program operations and oversight. This creates a regulatory framework to manage how reclaimed water is integrated into drinking water reservoirs.