Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13950 and 13951, water containing waste which has been placed in a sanitary sewer system for treatment and transportation outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin may be reclaimed in a pilot reclamation project to demonstrate the technological and environmental feasibility of using such water for beneficial purposes within the Lake Tahoe Basin in accordance with the provisions of the Water Reclamation Law (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 13500) of this division) and the provisions of this section.

Prior to the initiation of any pilot reclamation project within the Lake Tahoe Basin, the reclaimer or reuser shall submit the project with technical data to the regional board for the Lahontan region for approval. Only those projects submitted before January 1, 1984, shall be considered. The technical data submitted shall demonstrate that such pilot reclamation project will not, individually or collectively, directly or indirectly, adversely affect the quality of the waters of Lake Tahoe. The intended operational life of the project shall be at least 10 years.

No pilot reclamation project shall be initiated unless and until such regional board approves the project, and finds that such pilot reclamation project or projects will not, individually or collectively, directly or indirectly, adversely affect the quality of the waters of Lake Tahoe. The regional board for the Lahontan region shall place conditions on any approved project to include specification of maximum project size. The regional board for the Lahontan region may suspend or terminate an approved project for cause at any time.

(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 682.)