WateReuse California Review - May 2024

The State Water Resources Control Board has posted the updated Proposed Regulatory text with a 15-day public comment period for the Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulation. The State Board is expected to vote on the regulations this summer. As there are a few minor changes that impact recycled water and potable reuse, WRCA will be submitting a comment letter. 

WRCA will seek clarification for the mathematical formula contained in the regulations for the high TDS recycled water variance – one of the variances that WRCA successfully fought to achieve in the legislation and regulations.  Additionally, WRCA will ask for additional streamlining between the existing and new reporting requirements for recycled water and potable reuse.

Written comments are due to the State Water Board by June 4 via email to commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov. There will not be an additional public workshop during this public comment period. 

Since the passage of the implementing legislation in 2018 (AB 1668 and SB 606), WRCA has worked almost continuously with both DWR and the State Board to help shape and clarify the regulations as they impact non-potable recycled water and potable reuse in California. This has included submitting many comment letters, testifying before the State Board, and participating in numerous stakeholder meetings. 

For more information contact Rosario Cortés, WRCA Manager of Regulatory Affairs, at rcortes@watereuse.org.

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:

The April 28 edition of NYT Kids, a monthly print-only newspaper insert, highlighted potable reuse. Reporter Christine Nguyen interviewed WateReuse members Orange County Water District, Soquel Creek Water District, and Valley Water to produce an accurate and informative story with a lively treatment graphic (see above). “Recycled purified wastewater will be as clean and fresh as any bottled water you could buy at the store. Often, it’ll be even cleaner,” Nguyen reports. “This is the best water. I thought it would be green and dark,” said 7-year-old Xavier Hernandez of San Jose.

On May 13, WaterWorld ran a story highlighting how California is leading resiliency utilizing recycled water. David Pedersen, general manager of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and President of WateReuse California along with Rosario Cortes were quoted in the article.

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