California has one of the most developed regulatory environments for water reuse. Californians have been recycling water for more than 100 years. In 1910, recycled water was used for agriculture at nearly three dozen sites, and by the 1950s, more than 100 California communities were using recycled water for agricultural and landscape irrigation. The primary regulations for recycled water in California include:
- Non-Potable recycled water regulations (to be updated in 2023)
- Groundwater Recharge Regulations
- Reservoir Water Augmentation Regulations
- Raw Water Augmentation Regulations and Treated Drinking Water Regulations (planned 2023)
- Onsite Reuse Regulations (planned 2023)
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/lawbook/RWregulations_20181001.pdf
Recycled Water Policy (State Water Board updates every five years)
Contains requirements for potable reuse permits and policies that guide all Title 22 recycled water uses.
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/resolutions/2018/121118_7_final_amendment_oal.pdf
Toxicity Provisions (CA State Water Board)
Recycled water discharge
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/state_implementation_policy/tx_ass_cntrl.html
Plumbing Code (Building Standards Commission and Department of Water Resources)
Regulates indoor use of non-potable recycled water
https://up.codes/viewer/california/ca-plumbing-code-2019
https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes
Cross Connection Handbook (State Water Board)
Ensures no cross connection between recycled water supply and potable supply (updated planned in 2021)
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/documents/lawbook/dwregulations-2017-12-29.pdf
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Department of Water Resources)
Regulates the use of recycled water in outdoor irrigation
https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Model-Water-Efficient-Landscape-Ordinance
NEW **Water Use Efficiency Regulations (State Water Board) Planned regulations for 2023
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/conservation_portal/california_statutes.html#:~:text=SB%20606%20and%20AB%201668,be%20in%20place%20by%202022.&text=suppliers%20to%20set%20annual%20water%20budgets%20and%20prepare%20for%20drought.
Regional Water Quality Control Board (9 regions)
Issue WRDs and NPDES permits for recycled water
Division of Drinking Water’s Recycled Water Information: The California Water Board’s Division of Drinking water has broad information about California’s water reuse regulations and the development of those regulations. Their policies encompass both potable and non-potable reuse.
Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water: The policy contains requirements for potable reuse permits and policies that guide all Title 22 recycled water uses. The California Water Board’s State Water Resources Control Board updates the policy every five years.
Policy and Regulations
Regulations Related to Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
- Recycled water-related regulations are in Titles 22 and 17 of the California Code of Regulations. The recycled water uses allowed included irrigation, supply for impoundments, supply for cooling or air conditioning, groundwater recharge, and industrial uses.
Surface Water Augmentation Regulations (California Code of Regulations Title 22 § 60301.170) | State Water Resources Control Board
- These regulations allow treated recycled water to be stored in a surface water reservoir for potable reuse.
Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (California Code of Regulations Title 23 §490-495)
- California Code of Regulations added water conservation conditions that are required of water withdrawal permits. The regulation allows California’s State Water Resources Control Board to impose additional conservation requirements to eliminate waste of water and avoid unreasonable draft at the source.
Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water | State Water Resources Control Board
- This policy provides direction to the regional water quality control boards, proponents of recycled water projects, and the public regarding the methodology and appropriate criteria for the State Water Resources Control Board and the regional water boards to use when issuing permits for recycled water projects.
Water Management Planning | Assembly Bill (AB) 1668 and Senate Bill (SB) 606-May 31, 2018
- The State Water Resources Control Board and the Department of Water Resources are to adopt standards for the efficient use of water for commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors by June 30, 2022, and over time refine the standard indoor residential non potable water use, which through this policy is established as 55 gallons per capita per day, as of 2018.
General Information