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Read. Follow. Verify.Kansas requires regulations for direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater by July 1, 2028
Last action · April 9, 2026: Reengrossed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
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What This Bill Does
Kansas law now requires the secretary of health and environment to adopt rules and regulations by July 1, 2028, that allow for the direct and of treated wastewater, while prioritizing affordable treatment processes. The act also updates statutory definitions for s and drinking water standards.
Public water suppliers and local municipalities must prepare to comply with new standards and operational rules regarding recycled wastewater for drinking water supplies by mid-2028.
- Potable reuse involves treating wastewater to drinking water standards so it can be safely reintroduced into municipal water supplies. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Suppliers of water
Suppliers must operate public water supply systems under newly established primary drinking water standards and wastewater reuse regulations.
Secretary of Health and Environment
The secretary is tasked with adopting rules and regulations for direct and indirect potable reuse by July 1, 2028.
Key Facts
- The secretary of health and environment must adopt rules and regulations allowing for direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater on or before July 1, 2028.
- Regulations must prioritize prescriptive treatment processes that keep the reuse of treated wastewater affordable and achievable.
- Direct potable reuse is defined as using advanced treatment to produce finished drinking water from a source containing treated wastewater without passing through an environmental buffer.
- Indirect potable reuse is defined as the planned delivery or discharge of treated wastewater to an environmental buffer, such as ground or surface waters, to supplement a drinking water supply.
Show all 6 facts
- A public water supply system is defined as a system providing piped water for human consumption with at least 10 service connections or serving an average of at least 25 individuals daily for at least 60 days a year.
- Primary drinking water standards must be at least as stringent as national standards under public law 93-523, and no rule may require the addition of fluorides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for the new wastewater reuse regulations?
What is the difference between direct and indirect potable reuse under this law?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
27 actions- Apr 9, 2026HouseReengrossed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolled and presented to Governor on Friday, April 3, 2026
- Apr 9, 2026HouseEnrolledApproved by Governor on Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Mar 27, 2026HouseFloorConference Committee Report was adopted
- Mar 26, 2026SenateConference committee report now available
- Mar 26, 2026SenateFloorConference Committee Report was adopted
Show 21 earlier actions
- Mar 24, 2026SenateFloorMotion to accede adopted; Senator Peck, Senator Alley, Senator Francisco, , appointed as conferees
- Mar 24, 2026SenateSenator Bowser is appointed to replace Senator Alley on the Conference Committee
- Mar 23, 2026HouseNonconcurred with amendments; Conference Committee requested; appointed , and
- Mar 19, 2026SenateFloorFinal Action - Passed as amended
- Mar 18, 2026SenateCommittee of the Whole - Now working on
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFloorCommittee of the Whole - Committee Report be adopted
- Mar 18, 2026SenateFloorCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
- Mar 17, 2026SenateFloorCommittee Report recommending bill be passed as amended by
- Mar 12, 2026SenateHearing: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 8:30 AM — Room 144-S
- Feb 25, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to Senate Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Feb 25, 2026HouseEngrossed on Thursday, February 19, 2026
- Feb 24, 2026SenateIntroducedReceived and Introduced
- Feb 18, 2026HouseFloorFinal Action - Passed as amended
- Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee of the Whole - Now working on
- Feb 17, 2026HouseCommittee of the Whole - Motion to Amend - Offered by
- Feb 17, 2026HouseFloorCommittee of the Whole - Amendment by was adopted
- Feb 17, 2026HouseFloorCommittee of the Whole - Be passed as amended
- Jan 29, 2026HouseFloorCommittee Report recommending bill be passed by
- Jan 22, 2026HouseHearing: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 9:00 AM — Room 218-N
- Jan 15, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced
- Jan 15, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred to House Committee on Water
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Mandatory Wastewater Reuse Regulations
Kansas is legally mandating the establishment of a regulatory pathway for both direct and indirect potable reuse of treated wastewater by mid-2028.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.kslegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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