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Recycled Water: Regulations and Guidance

Last Update: September 17, 2008

CDPH's regulations, draft regulations, and guidance documents for water recycling are listed below. For more information about our activities related to recycled water, please contact Jeff Stone of our Recycled Water Unit at (805) 566-9767.

Future Regulations

CDPH is developing recycled water and drinking water regulations [check on their status here]. The following draft regulations have not yet entered the formal rulemaking process:

Groundwater Recharge Reuse (PDF) — August 5, 2008 draft.

NOTE: CDPH is soliciting informal feedback on the DRAFT Groundwater Recharge Regulation (August 5, 2008 version) for consideration as we continue our efforts to develop a final proposed version which will go through the formal regulatory adoption process. The proposed version for regulatory adoption will then be subject to full public review and comment at a later date. Comments on the August 5 draft will be accepted through October 31, 2008.

Summary of Dfferences Between the January 2007 and August 2008 Groundwater Recharge Draft Regulations (PDF) — August 5, 2008.
Current CROSS CONNECTION regulations are included in recycled water regulations (PDF)in Title 17. Revisions are being developed (PDF).

Proposed Regulations

None at this time

Adopted Regulations

Recycled water regulations and statutes are compiled in California Health Laws Related to Recycled Water— June 2001 Update (PDF). [Note: This update does not include statutory changes made since June 2001, e.g., Water Code: §13540—Recycled Water; §13578—Recycled Water Task Force.]

Note: The compilation of regulations and statutes is meant to aid Drinking Water Program staff and is not to be relied upon as the State of California's representation of the law. The published codes are the only official representation of the law, e.g., Titles 17 and 22 of the California Code of Regulations and the Health and Safety and Water Codes. Refer to the published codes whenever specific citations are required.

Guidance Documents

Preparation of an Engineering Report for the Production, Distribution and Use of Recycled Water (PDF) — March 2001
Analysis of Total Organic Carbon at Low Levels for Groundwater Recharge Reuse Projects (PDF)— April 2003
Analysis and reporting of non-target compounds—including tentatively identified compounds (TICs)—for extremely impaired sources (PDF) and recycled water:
(1) Non-Target Volatile Organic Chemicals (PDF)- September 10, 2003 draft
(2) Non-Target Semi-Volatile Organic Chemicals (PDF)- September 10, 2003 draft

Other Reports

Treatment Technology Report for Recycled Water (PDF)

Memorandum of Agreement

Memorandum of Agreement (PDF) between the Department and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on the use of recycled water. [Click here for information on the SWRCB's development of a statewide policy for recycled water.]

Links

Regulations for Drinking Water

Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management