CHAPTER 7.3. Potable Reuse [13560. - 13570.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 7.3.
in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13560. Section 13560.

The Legislature finds and declares the following: (a) In February 2009, the state board unanimously adopted, as Resolution No. 2009-0011, an updated water recycling policy, which includes the goal of increasing the use of recycled water in the state over 2002 levels by at least 1,000,000 acre-feet per year by 2020 and by at least 2,000,000 acre-feet per year by 2030. (b) Section 13521 requires the department to establish uniform statewide recycling criteria for each varying type of use of recycled water where the use involves the protection of public health. (c) Achievement of the state’s goals depends on the timely development of uniform statewide recycling criteria for potable water reuse and of a clear pathway for approval of potable reuse projects. (d) This chapter is not intended to delay, invalidate, or reverse any study or project, or development of regulations by the department, the state board, or the regional boards regarding the use of recycled water for potable reuse. (e) This chapter shall not be construed to delay, invalidate, or reverse the state board’s ongoing review of projects consistent with Section 116551 of the Health and Safety Code. (f) The water recycling goals of 700,000 acre-feet of water per year by the year 2000 and 1,000,000 acre-feet of water per year by the year 2010, established in Section 13577, have not been met. (g) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the development of potable reuse to mitigate the impact of long-term drought and climate change. (h) A 2014 report by the WateReuse Research Foundation, “The Opportunities and Economics of Direct Potable Reuse” found that potable reuse could provide up to 1.1 million acre-feet per year of new drinking water supplies for California. (i) The state board adopted uniform water recycling criteria for the replenishment of groundwater basins in June 2014 and is developing uniform water recycling criteria for the augmentation of surface water reservoirs pursuant to Section 13562. (j) The state board report to the Legislature, “Investigation on the Feasibility of Developing Uniform Water Recycling Criteria for Direct Potable Reuse,” found that it is feasible to develop uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse that is protective of public health. (k) The state board report to the Legislature stated that the state board should develop a common framework across various types of direct potable reuse projects to help avoid discontinuities in the risk assessment and then sequentially develop uniform water recycling criteria.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13560.5. Section 13560.5.

The Legislature finds and declares that on or before June 1, 2018, the state board should establish a framework for the regulation of potable reuse projects. When establishing the framework, the state board should include all of the following: (a) The consideration of recommendations provided in the state board’s “Investigation on the Feasibility of Developing Uniform Water Recycling Criteria for Direct Potable Reuse.” (b) A schedule for completing the recommended research described in “Investigation on the Feasibility of Developing Uniform Water Recycling Criteria for Direct Potable Reuse.” (c) A regulatory framework for potable reuse projects that will be protective of public health. (d) A process and timeline for updating, if necessary, uniform water recycling criteria for potable reuse through reservoir water augmentation.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13561. Section 13561.

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings: (a) “Department” or “state board” means the State Water Resources Control Board. (b) “Direct potable reuse” means the planned introduction of recycled water either directly into a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, or into a raw water supply immediately upstream of a water treatment plant. Direct potable reuse includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) “Raw water augmentation,” which means the planned placement of recycled water into a system of pipelines or aqueducts that deliver raw water to a drinking water treatment plant that provides water to a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) “Treated drinking water augmentation,” means the planned placement of recycled water into the water distribution system of a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) “Indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge” means the planned use of recycled water for replenishment of a groundwater basin or an aquifer that has been designated as a source of water supply for a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) “Reservoir water augmentation” means the planned placement of recycled water into a raw surface water reservoir used as a source of domestic drinking water supply for a public water system, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, or into a constructed system conveying water to such a reservoir. (e) “Uniform water recycling criteria” has the same meaning as in Section 13521.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13561.2. Section 13561.2.

(a) On or before December 31, 2023, the state board shall adopt uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation. In adopting the initial uniform recycling criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation, the state board shall comply with all of the following: (1) The state board shall develop the uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation using information from the recommended research described in subdivision (b) of Section 13560.5 after soliciting stakeholder input from water agencies, wastewater agencies, local public health officers, environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, public health nongovernmental organizations, and the business community. (2) Before adopting uniform water recycling criteria for raw water augmentation, the state board shall submit the proposed criteria to the expert review panel established pursuant to subdivision (c). The expert review panel shall review the proposed criteria and shall adopt a finding as to whether, in its expert opinion, the proposed criteria would adequately protect public health. (3) The state board shall not adopt uniform water recycling criteria for raw water augmentation pursuant to this subdivision unless and until the expert review panel adopts a finding that the proposed criteria would adequately protect public health. (4) If the state board finds it will be unable to adopt the uniform water recycling criteria by December 31, 2023, the state board may, by June 30, 2023, extend the uniform water recycling criteria deadline by up to 18 months. (5) If the state board finds that it needs longer than the deadline that has been extended pursuant to paragraph (4), the state board shall do all of the following: (A) Post on its Internet Web site the date by which it intends to adopt the uniform water recycling criteria. (B) If the state board determines that the recommended research described in subdivision (b) of Section 13560.5 is insufficient, consult with the expert review panel described in subdivision (c) regarding the research and, if necessary, the need for additional scientific and technical research. The expert review panel shall also determine the scientific and technical research necessary for the state board to complete the uniform water recycling criteria, including an estimated timeframe needed to conduct the scientific and technical research. (C) No later than June 30, 2024, post on its Internet Web site the findings and determinations made, if any, by the expert review panel described in subdivision (c) under subparagraph (B). (b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the state board from using its existing authority to permit potable reuse projects pursuant to Section 116550 of the Health and Safety Code before the adoption of uniform recycling criteria pursuant to this section. (c) (1) Before adopting the initial uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation, the state board shall establish and administer an expert review panel for purposes of subdivision (a) and, if the state board deems it necessary, to provide additional scientific and technological research or to recommend a source of either existing research or research to be produced on direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation. After the state board has adopted the initial uniform water recycling criteria for raw water augmentation, the state board may reconvene or reestablish the expert review panel, if the state board deems it necessary, to provide additional scientific and technological research or to recommend a source of either existing research or research to be produced on raw water augmentation. In establishing and administering an expert review panel, the state board may contract with public or nonprofit research entities. (2) Each member of the expert review panel shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) for each day the member attends a meeting of the expert review panel or of the state board plus actual and necessary travel expenses, including expenses for lodging and meals, and for each day the member spends conducting other official business of the expert review panel.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13562. Section 13562.

(a) (1) On or before December 31, 2013, the department shall adopt uniform water recycling criteria for indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge. (2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), on or before December 31, 2016, the department shall develop and adopt uniform water recycling criteria for surface water augmentation. (B) Prior to adopting uniform water recycling criteria for surface water augmentation, the department shall submit the proposed criteria to the expert panel convened pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13565. The expert panel shall review the proposed criteria and shall adopt a finding as to whether, in its expert opinion, the proposed criteria would adequately protect public health. (C) The department shall not adopt uniform water recycling criteria for surface water augmentation pursuant to subparagraph (A), unless and until the expert panel adopts a finding that the proposed criteria would adequately protect public health. (b) Adoption of uniform water recycling criteria by the department is subject to the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13562.5. Section 13562.5.

Notwithstanding any other law, no later than June 30, 2014, the department shall adopt, by emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, requirements for groundwater replenishment using recycled water. The adoption of these regulations is an emergency and shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law as necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare. Notwithstanding Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, emergency regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this section shall not be subject to review by the Office of Administrative Law and shall remain in effect until revised by the department.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13563. Section 13563.

(a) (1) On or before December 31, 2016, the department, in consultation with the state board, shall investigate and report to the Legislature on the feasibility of developing uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse. (2) The department shall complete a public review draft of its report by September 1, 2016. The department shall provide the public not less than 45 days to review and comment on the public review draft. (3) The department shall provide a final report to the Legislature by December 31, 2016. The department shall make the final report available to the public. (b) In conducting the investigation pursuant to subdivision (a), the department shall examine all of the following: (1) The availability and reliability of recycled water treatment technologies necessary to ensure the protection of public health. (2) Multiple barriers and sequential treatment processes that may be appropriate at wastewater and water treatment facilities. (3) Available information on health effects. (4) Mechanisms that should be employed to protect public health if problems are found in recycled water that is being served to the public as a potable water supply, including, but not limited to, the failure of treatment systems at the recycled water treatment facility. (5) Monitoring needed to ensure protection of public health, including, but not limited to, the identification of appropriate indicator and surrogate constituents. (6) Any other scientific or technical issues that may be necessary, including, but not limited to, the need for additional research. (c) (1) Notwithstanding Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the requirement for submitting a report imposed under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) is inoperative on December 31, 2020. (2) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13564. Section 13564.

In developing uniform water recycling criteria for surface water augmentation, the department shall consider all of the following: (a) The final report from the National Water Research Institute Independent Advisory Panel for the City of San Diego Indirect Potable Reuse/Reservoir Augmentation (IPR/RA) Demonstration Project. (b) Monitoring results of research and studies regarding surface water augmentation. (c) Results of demonstration studies conducted for purposes of approval of projects using surface water augmentation. (d) Epidemiological studies and risk assessments associated with projects using surface water augmentation. (e) Applicability of the advanced treatment technologies required for recycled water projects, including, but not limited to, indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge projects. (f) Water quality, limnology, and health risk assessments associated with existing potable water supplies subject to discharges from municipal wastewater, stormwater, and agricultural runoff. (g) Recommendations of the State of California Constituents of Emerging Concern Recycled Water Policy Science Advisory Panel. (h) State funded research pursuant to Section 79144 and subdivision (b) of Section 79145. (i) Research and recommendations from the United States Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines for Water Reuse. (j) The National Research Council of the National Academies’ report titled “Water Reuse: Potential for Expanding the Nation’s Water Supply Through Reuse of Municipal Wastewater.” (k) Other relevant research and studies regarding indirect potable reuse of recycled water.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13565. Section 13565.

(a) (1) On or before February 15, 2014, the department shall convene and administer an expert panel for purposes of advising the department on public health issues and scientific and technical matters regarding development of uniform water recycling criteria for indirect potable reuse through surface water augmentation and investigation of the feasibility of developing uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse. The expert panel shall assess what, if any, additional areas of research are needed to be able to establish uniform regulatory criteria for direct potable reuse. The expert panel shall then recommend an approach for accomplishing any additional needed research regarding uniform criteria for direct potable reuse in a timely manner. (2) The expert panel shall be comprised, at a minimum, of a toxicologist, an engineer licensed in the state with at least three years’ experience in wastewater treatment, an engineer licensed in the state with at least three years’ experience in treatment of drinking water supplies and knowledge of drinking water standards, an epidemiologist, a limnologist, a microbiologist, and a chemist. The department, in consultation with the advisory group and the state board, shall select the expert panel members. (3) Members of the expert panel may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses. (b) (1) On or before January 15, 2014, the department shall convene an advisory group, task force, or other group, comprised of no fewer than nine representatives of water and wastewater agencies, local public health officers, environmental organizations, environmental justice organizations, public health nongovernmental organizations, the department, the state board, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, ratepayer or taxpayer advocate organizations, and the business community, to advise the expert panel regarding the development of uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse and the draft report required by Section 13563. The department, in consultation with the state board, shall select the advisory group members. (2) Environmental, environmental justice, and public health nongovernmental organization representative members of the advisory group, task force, or other group may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenses. (3) In order to ensure public transparency, the advisory group established pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code). (c) On or before June 30, 2016, the department shall prepare a draft report summarizing the recommendations of the expert panel. (d) The department may contract with a public university or other research institution with experience in convening expert panels on water quality or potable reuse to meet all or part of the requirements of this section should the department find that the research institution is better able to fulfill the requirements of this section by the required date.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13566. Section 13566.

In performing its investigation of the feasibility of developing the uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse, the department shall consider all of the following: (a) Recommendations from the expert panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 13565. (b) Recommendations from an advisory group, task force, or other group appointed by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 13565. (c) Regulations and guidelines for these activities from jurisdictions in other states, the federal government, or other countries. (d) Research by the state board regarding unregulated pollutants, as developed pursuant to Section 10 of the recycled water policy adopted by state board Resolution No. 2009-0011. (e) Results of investigations pursuant to Section 13563. (f) Water quality and health risk assessments associated with existing potable water supplies subject to discharges from municipal wastewater, stormwater, and agricultural runoff.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13567. Section 13567.

An action authorized pursuant to this chapter shall be consistent, to the extent applicable, with the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.), the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 300f et seq.), this division, and the California Safe Drinking Water Act (Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 116270) of Part 12 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code).

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13569. Section 13569.

The department may accept funds from nonstate sources and may expend these funds, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purposes of this chapter.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13570. Section 13570.

(a) As used in this section, “advanced purified demonstration water” means product water from an advanced water purification facility that satisfies both of the following requirements: (1) The product water is treated by means of all of the following treatment processes: (A) Microfiltration, ultrafiltration, or other filtration processes to remove particulates before reverse osmosis. (B) Reverse osmosis. (C) Advanced oxidation. (2) The product water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards and is produced in accordance with the advanced treatment criteria for purified water specified in Section 60320.201 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. (b) As used in this section, “advanced water purification facility” means a water recycling treatment plant that produces advanced purified demonstration water in accordance with the advanced treatment criteria specified in Section 60320.201 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. (c) As used in this section, “batch” means an increment of advanced purified treatment water that has completed the treatment process, is separate from incoming water, and is not receiving any additional source water. (d) Except as expressly set forth in this section, the operator of an advanced water purification facility may cause advanced purified demonstration water to be bottled and distributed as samples for educational purposes and to promote water recycling, without complying with the requirements of Article 12 (commencing with Section 111070) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. The volume of advanced purified demonstration water in each bottle shall not exceed eight ounces. (e) Any operator of an advanced water purification facility seeking to bottle advanced purified demonstration water shall collect water samples from the batch prior to the commencement of the bottling process, and test that batch in accordance with Section 111165 of the Health and Safety Code. Advanced purified demonstration water shall not be distributed unless the following requirements are met: (1) The water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, including all maximum contaminant levels applicable to public drinking water systems. (2) The advanced water purification facility meets or exceeds all purification requirements imposed by regulatory agencies to produce the advanced purified demonstration water, including the removal of constituents of emerging concern where the removal is otherwise required of an advanced water purification facility. (3) The water is produced using a treatment process that is consistent with the advanced treatment criteria for purified water specified in Section 60320.201 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and, if established by the state board, in accordance with any uniform statewide water recycling criteria developed for the direct potable reuse of recycled water. (f) (1) Advanced purified demonstration water may be bottled only at a licensed water-bottling plant in compliance with Sections 111070.5, 111080, 111120, 111145, and 111155 of the Health and Safety Code. (2) Before bottling advanced purified demonstration water, an advanced water purification facility shall follow all pretreatment and labeling regulations for water bottling, including the requirements described in Section 111070.5 of the Health and Safety Code and the requirements for bottled water and vended water pursuant to Section 111080 of the Health and Safety Code. (g) Advanced purified demonstration water shall be handled from the point of production to the completion of bottling in accordance with all regulations governing the transportation, bottling, labeling, and handling of bottled water, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 111070 of the Health and Safety Code, including, but not limited to, subdivisions (a), (b), (f), and (h) of Section 111075 of the Health and Safety Code and Section 111070.5 of the Health and Safety Code. A water-bottling plant that bottles advanced purified demonstration water in accordance with this section may also bottle potable water, subject to compliance with Article 12 (commencing with Section 111070) of Chapter 5 of Part 5 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code. (h) An advanced water purification facility shall not provide bottled advanced purified demonstration water to any person under 18 years of age without the consent of that person’s parent or legal guardian. (i) An advanced water purification facility shall not provide advanced purified demonstration water for human consumption, as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, including, but not limited to, in bottles, to more than 25 individuals per day for 60 or more days in a calendar year. (j) Advanced purified demonstration water shall be bottled in nonreturnable (one-way) bottles or packages with labels containing the following information in an easily readable format that complies with all of the following: (1) The label shall state “sample water--not for sale” and “Advanced Purified Water Sourced From Wastewater.” (2) The label shall set forth the name, address, telephone number, and Internet Web site of the operator of the facility producing the advanced purified demonstration water. (3) The label shall include a brief description of the advanced purified demonstration water, including its source and the treatment processes to which the water is subjected. (k) A single advanced water purification facility shall not cause more than 1,000 gallons of advanced purified demonstration water to be bottled in a calendar year. (l) Advanced purified demonstration water shall not be sold or otherwise distributed in exchange for financial consideration. (m) Any operator of an advanced water purification facility seeking to bottle advanced purified demonstration water shall establish a collection and recycling program for distributed bottles. (n) The operator of an advanced water purification facility that is bottling advanced purified demonstration water shall do all of the following: (1) Maintain a daily record of the number of individuals to whom advanced purified demonstration water is distributed, served, made available, or otherwise provided, including, but not limited to, from a bottle. (2) Compile a report of all daily records described in paragraph (1) for each calendar year. (3) Certify under penalty of perjury that the report is accurate. (4) Provide the report within 45 days of the end of the calendar year for which the report was made to the deputy director of the Division of Drinking Water of the State Water Resources Control Board. (o) This section does not exempt an advanced water purification facility from any standard for bottling water imposed pursuant to federal law.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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