WateReuse California Review - April 2024

As a result of a State Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget change proposal and associated budget trailer bill to implement the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) now has the authority to assess fees for recycled water permits.

The State Board is starting to put together options for what the recycled water fees could look like and is seeking input on a proposed recycled water permit fee structure. On April 18 the State Board’s Division of Administrative Services (Fee Branch) held a Recycled Water Permits Fees Stakeholder Meeting. WateReuse California was in attendance advocating to ensure the options being considered do not create overcharging or duplicative fees.  Fee Branch staff outlined three options for consideration; see their presentation here and meeting recording here. 

WateReuse California has requested an additional stakeholder meeting in addition to the next May 22 meeting; we hope that will occur in June. 

The 2018 Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water requires wastewater and recycled water permittees to provide a report by April 30 each year of monthly volumes, treatment type, and discharge type.

To report, use your GeoTracker ESI account to submit the 2023 Volumetric Annual Report at GeoTracker (ca.gov) or https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov

The 2023 VAR is the same format as previous years and requires volumes (acre-feet/month) of:

• Influent
• Effluent
• Recycled Water Use

Additional Resources:

Help Guide and Webinar training for how to submit your VAR can be found on the Volumetric Reporting Webpage. For assistance with submitting the 2023 VAR or any questions please contact recycledwater@waterboards.ca.gov or Rebecca Greenwood, PG, Engineering Geologist with the Recycled Water and Desalination Unit of the State Water Resources Control Board at rebecca.greenwood@waterboards.ca.gov.

WateReuse California has four standing committees:

• Agricultural Reuse Committee
• Communications Collaborative Group Committee
• Legislative and Regulatory Committee
• Potable Reuse Permitting and Compliance Committee

These committees are designed to allow member organizations a direct way to engage in their most related reuse field. Any individual belonging to a WRCA member is eligible to join. If you are interested in joining any of these committees, please complete the interest form:

WateReuse California's seven chapters provide a forum for regional networking and to discuss local water recycling issues and projects: 

State Water Resources Control Board - View Upcoming Events

For more information about WateReuse California, please contact: 

• Brenley McKenna, Managing Director
  bmckenna@watereuse.org