WateReuse California Review - June 2024

On July 3, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) will meet to consider a resolution to adopt the proposed regulation to make conservation a California way of life. The public can provide oral comments either in person or through a remote option. Once adopted, the regulation will go through some administrative steps and go into effect at the beginning of 2025.

On June 14, the State Water Resources Control Board posted the updated regulation text labeled Updated Proposed Text v4. Written comments on the June 14 version are due to the State Water Board by July 1 via email to commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov.

WRCA submitted a comment letter on the previous version asking for minor changes that impact recycled water and potable reuse. WRCA sought clarification for the mathematical formula contained in the regulations for the high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) recycled water variance – one of the variances that WRCA successfully fought to achieve in the legislation and regulations.

Since the passage of the implementing legislation in 2018 (AB 1668 and SB 606), WRCA has worked almost continuously with both the Department of Water Resources 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.

WRCA will be hosting a webinar July 24 from 10 am to 11 am to review the regulations -- with an emphasis on understanding the reuse requirements. Please join Rosario Cortés, Manager of Regulatory Affairs for WRCA and Fiona Sanchez, Director of Water Resources for Irvine Ranch Water District for this webcast. For more information contact Rosario Cortés, Manager of Regulatory Affairs, at rcortes@watereuse.org.

Register in advance for this meeting here.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Jurupa Valley, CA – A groundbreaking ceremony held by the Jurupa Community Services District (JCSD) marked the start of construction for the JCSD Recycled Water project, which plans to deliver 350 million gallons of water annually.

The event welcomed over 20 public agencies and dignitaries, including remarks by California Senator Richard Roth, Senator Jim Brulte (Ret.), and a video message from Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel. The groundbreaking was held at American Heroes Park in Eastvale, which will receive recycled water for irrigation. Distribution of recycled water is expected to begin by late 2026, and available to certain public entities, schools, and businesses that meet the required criteria near the distribution pipeline.

An interactive construction map was unveiled and is accessible via the link below.

This resource provides real-time updates as construction spans throughout the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley.

On June 12, the Senate Rules Committee took up the reappointment of State Water Resources Control Board Member Sean Maguire.  Since being appointed in 2018, he has been supportive of all types of recycled water in California. Most recently Mr. Maguire helped oversee the adoption of the Direct Potable Reuse – DPR -- regulations for California in December 2023.  

During the hearing, Senator John Laird (D - Santa Cruz) commented regarding the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program and bond funding, “Water recycling…it’s about the only unique water source that applies to almost any water district in California while they struggle for surface storage or groundwater management.”  He went on to describe it as "the only water supply, new water supply available to some areas". Board Member Maguire responded noting the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy and stated that there is a “need to invest in our infrastructure.” Maguire also mentioned the coastal areas of Soquel, Monterey, and Morro Bay.  

The completion of California’s DPR regulations by the statutory deadline of December 2023 was a major Water Board achievement and was also a priority action in the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy.

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:

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