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California Drinking Water-Related Laws

Last Update:  April 21, 2009

DISCLAIMER: These documents are meant to aid staff of CDPH's Drinking Water Program and are not to be relied upon as the State of California's representation of the law.  The published codes [e.g., Health & Safety Code or Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR)]  are the only official representation of the law. Always refer to the published codes whenever specific citations are required. 

Drinking Water-Related Statutes and Regulations

These compilations of drinking water-related laws were once referred to by staff and the regulated community as "The Blue Book." 

Drinking water-related statutes are from the Food and Agricultural Code, the Government Code, the Health and Safety Code, the Public Resources Code, and the Water Code.  Regulations are from Title 17 and Title 22 of the CCR.

  • Drinking Water-Related Statutes (PDF) Opens in new window, as does next document....(Word, 1.7MB) - 247 pages, last updated January 1, 2009.
    This update includes changes to the Water Code that result from SB2X1, which became effective on March 1, 2009.  They are shown with strikeouts and underlines to show deletions and additions, respectively.  In addition, they are highlighted (see Table of Contents, pages 9, 10, and 15). 
  • Drinking Water-Related Regulations (PDF)Opens in new window, as does next document....(Word, 2.5MB) - 252 pages, last updated January 1, 2009. 
    This update now includes cross connection regulations from Title 17. Otherwise, it is unchanged from the prior update of November 28, 2008.

Recycled Water-Related Statutes and Regulations

These compilations of recycled water-related laws were once referred to by staff and the regulated community as "The Purple Book." 

Recycled water-related statutes are from the Health and Safety Code and the Water Code.  [Note that this compilation includes statutes pertinent to the activities of CDPH.  There are recycled water-related statutes related to the activities of other state agencies (e.g.,  see the State Water Resources Control Board's water recycling laws)].  Regulations are from Title 17 and Title 22 of the CCR.