ARTICLE 3. State Policy for Water Quality Control [13140. - 13149.2.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 3.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13140. Section 13140.

The state board shall formulate and adopt state policy for water quality control. Such policy shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of this article and shall be in conformity with the policies set forth in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 13000).

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13141. Section 13141.

State policy for water quality control adopted or revised in accordance with the provisions of this article, and regional water quality control plans approved or revised in accordance with Section 13245, shall become a part of the California Water Plan effective when such state policy for water quality control, and such regional water quality control plans have been reported to the Legislature at any session thereof. However, prior to implementation of any agricultural water quality control program, an estimate of the total cost of such a program, together with an identification of potential sources of financing, shall be indicated in any regional water quality control plan.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13142. Section 13142.

State policy for water quality control shall consist of all or any of the following: (a) Water quality principles and guidelines for long-range resource planning, including ground water and surface water management programs and control and use of recycled water. (b) Water quality objectives at key locations for planning and operation of water resource development projects and for water quality control activities. (c) Other principles and guidelines deemed essential by the state board for water quality control. The principles, guidelines, and objectives shall be consistent with the state goal of providing a decent home and suitable living environment for every Californian.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13142.5. Section 13142.5.

In addition to any other policies established pursuant to this division, the policies of the state with respect to water quality as it relates to the coastal marine environment are that: (a) Wastewater discharges shall be treated to protect present and future beneficial uses, and, where feasible, to restore past beneficial uses of the receiving waters. Highest priority shall be given to improving or eliminating discharges that adversely affect any of the following: (1) Wetlands, estuaries, and other biologically sensitive sites. (2) Areas important for water contact sports. (3) Areas that produce shellfish for human consumption. (4) Ocean areas subject to massive waste discharge. Ocean chemistry and mixing processes, marine life conditions, other present or proposed outfalls in the vicinity, and relevant aspects of areawide waste treatment management plans and programs, but not of convenience to the discharger, shall for the purposes of this section, be considered in determining the effects of such discharges. Toxic and hard-to-treat substances should be pretreated at the source if such substances would be incompatible with effective and economical treatment in municipal treatment plants. (b) For each new or expanded coastal powerplant or other industrial installation using seawater for cooling, heating, or industrial processing, the best available site, design, technology, and mitigation measures feasible shall be used to minimize the intake and mortality of all forms of marine life. (c) Where otherwise permitted, new warmed or cooled water discharges into coastal wetlands or into areas of special biological importance, including marine reserves and kelp beds, shall not significantly alter the overall ecological balance of the receiving area. (d) Independent baseline studies of the existing marine system should be conducted in the area that could be affected by a new or expanded industrial facility using seawater in advance of the carrying out of the development. (e) (1) Adequately treated recycled water should, where feasible, be made available to supplement existing surface and underground supplies and to assist in meeting future water requirements of the coastal zone, and consideration, in statewide programs of financial assistance for water pollution or water quality control, shall be given to providing optimum water recycling and use of recycled water. (2) If recycled water is available for industrial use, any discharge to waters in the coastal zone, including the San Francisco Bay, after industrial use, may be authorized if all of the following conditions are met: (A) The discharge will not unreasonably affect beneficial uses. (B) The discharge is consistent with applicable water quality control plans and state policy for water quality control. (C) The use of recycled water is consistent with Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 13500). (D) The discharge is consistent with all applicable requirements of Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 13370). (E) The discharge is to the same general receiving water location as that to which the wastewater would be discharged if not reused. (3) Any requirement imposed pursuant to Section 13263 or 13377 shall be adjusted to reflect a credit for waste present in the recycled water before reuse. The credit shall be limited to the difference between the amount of waste present in the nonrecycled water supply otherwise available to the industry and the amount of waste present in the recycled water. (4) If the amount of waste in the discharge exceeds prescribed requirements because the amount of waste in the recycled water is in excess of that agreed to be furnished by the supplier to the discharger, no enforcement action shall be taken against the discharger unless both of the following statements apply: (A) The supplier of the recycled water fails to correct the problem within 30 days after the cause of the problem is identified, or within any greater period of time agreed to by the appropriate regional board. (B) The discharger continues to receive the recycled water from the supplier. (f) This section shall not apply to industrial discharges into publicly owned treatment works.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13143. Section 13143.

State policy for water quality control shall be periodically reviewed and may be revised.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13144. Section 13144.

During the process of formulating or revising state policy for water quality control the state board shall consult with and carefully evaluate the recommendations of concerned federal, state, and local agencies.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13145. Section 13145.

The state board shall take into consideration the effect of its actions pursuant to this chapter on the California Water Plan as adopted or revised pursuant to Division 6 (commencing with Section 10000) of this code, and on any other general or coordinated governmental plan looking toward the development, utilization, or conservation of the waters of the state.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13146. Section 13146.

State offices, departments and boards, in carrying out activities which affect water quality, shall comply with state policy for water quality control unless otherwise directed or authorized by statute, in which case they shall indicate to the state board in writing their authority for not complying with such policy.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13147. Section 13147.

The state board shall not adopt state policy for water quality control unless a public hearing is first held respecting the adoption of such policy. At least 60 days in advance of such hearing the state board shall notify any affected regional boards, unless notice is waived by such boards, and shall give notice of such hearing by publication within the affected region pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. The regional boards shall submit written recommendations to the state board at least 20 days in advance of the hearing.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13148. Section 13148.

(a) This section applies to the following hydrologic regions as identified in the California Water Plan: Central Coast, South Coast, San Joaquin River, Tulare Lake, and the Counties of Butte, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, and Yolo. (b) Notwithstanding Article 1 (commencing with Section 116775) of Chapter 5 of Part 12 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, any local agency that owns or operates a community sewer system or water recycling facility and that is subject to a finding made by a regional board pursuant to subdivision (e) may take action to control salinity input from residential self-regenerating water softeners to protect the quality of the waters of the state. A local agency may take action only by adoption of an ordinance or resolution after a public hearing. The local agency shall not consider the adoption of an ordinance or resolution until at least 30 days following the date of the public hearing on the proposed ordinance or resolution. An ordinance or resolution shall become effective 30 days from the date of adoption. (c) Actions to control residential self-regenerating water softener salinity inputs authorized by subdivision (b) include, but are not limited to, any of the following: (1) Require that residential self-regenerating water softeners installed within the jurisdiction of the local agency be rated at the highest efficiency commercially available and certified by NSF International or the American National Standards Institute. (2) Require that plumbing permits be obtained prior to the installation of residential self-regenerating water softeners. (3) Require that residential self-regenerating water softeners be plumbed to hook up to hot water only. (4) Enact a voluntary buy-back or exchange program for residential self-regenerating water softeners, consistent with existing law. A voluntary buy-back or exchange program may be conducted in cooperation with local water treatment businesses. (5) Require the removal of previously installed residential self-regenerating water softeners. (6) Prohibit the installation of residential self-regenerating water softeners. (7) Require the retrofit of clock control and demand control systems on previously installed residential self-regenerating water softeners. (8) Require the replacement of previously installed residential self-regenerating water softeners with appliances that meet or exceed the salt efficiency rating set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 116785 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) If a local agency adopts an ordinance or resolution to require the removal of previously installed residential self-regenerating water softeners pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c), the local agency shall make available to owners of residential self-regenerating water softeners within its service area a program to compensate the owner of the residential self-regenerating water softener for the reasonable value of the removed residential self-regenerating water softener, as determined by the local agency. (e) Before a local agency may take action to control salinity input from residential self-regenerating water softeners pursuant to subdivision (b), a regional board with jurisdiction over a region identified in subdivision (a) shall have made a finding at a public hearing that the control of residential salinity input will contribute to the achievement of water quality objectives. The finding may be made in any of the following water quality actions adopted by a regional board: (1) A total maximum daily load that addresses salinity-related pollutants in a water segment. (2) A salt and nutrient management plan for a groundwater basin or subbasin. (3) Waste discharge requirements for a local agency discharger. (4) Master reclamation permit for a supplier or distributor of recycled water. (5) Water recycling requirements for a supplier or distributor of recycled water. (6) Cease and desist order directed to a local agency. (f) The regional board making a finding pursuant to subdivision (e) shall base its finding on the evidence in the record, such as a source determination study or other appropriate studies. The standard of judicial review required for a finding made pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be the same as the standard of review required for the water quality action in which the finding is made. (g) This section does not limit the use of portable exchange water softening appliances or limit the authority of a local agency to regulate the discharge from a centralized portable exchange tank servicing facility into the community sewer system. (h) For purposes of this section, “residential self-regenerating water softener” means residential water softening equipment or conditioning appliances that discharge brine into a community sewer system.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13149. Section 13149.

(a) (1) (A) The board, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall adopt principles and guidelines for diversion and use of water for cannabis cultivation in areas where cannabis cultivation may have the potential to substantially affect instream flows. The principles and guidelines adopted under this section may include, but are not limited to, instream flow objectives, limits on diversions, and requirements for screening of diversions and elimination of barriers to fish passage. The principles and guidelines may include requirements that apply to groundwater extractions where the board determines those requirements are reasonably necessary for purposes of this section. (B) Prior to adopting principles and guidelines under this section, the board shall allow for public comment and hearing, pursuant to Section 13147. The board shall provide an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the proposal for at least 60 days and shall consider the public comments before adopting the principles and guidelines. (2) The board, in consultation with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, shall adopt principles and guidelines pending the development of long-term principles and guidelines under paragraph (1). The principles and guidelines, including the interim principles and guidelines, shall include measures to protect springs, wetlands, and aquatic habitats from negative impacts of cannabis cultivation. The board may update the interim principles and guidelines as it determines to be reasonably necessary for purposes of this section. (3) The Department of Fish and Wildlife, in consultation with the board, may establish interim requirements to protect fish and wildlife from the impacts of diversions for cannabis cultivation pending the adoption of long-term principles and guidelines by the board under paragraph (1). The requirements may also include measures to protect springs, wetlands, and aquatic habitats from negative impacts of cannabis cultivation. (b) (1) Notwithstanding Section 15300.2 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, actions of the board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife under this section shall be deemed to be within Section 15308 of Title 14 of the California Code of regulations, provided that those actions do not involve relaxation of existing streamflow standards. (2) The board shall adopt principles and guidelines under this section as part of state policy for water quality control adopted pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 13140) of Chapter 3 of Division 7. (3) If the Department of Fish and Wildlife establishes interim requirements under this section, it shall do so as 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. The adoption of those interim requirements 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, the emergency regulations shall remain in effect until revised by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, provided that the emergency regulations shall not apply after long-term principles and guidelines adopted by the board under this section take effect for the stream or other body of water where the diversion is located. (4) A diversion for cannabis cultivation is subject to both the interim principles and guidelines and the interim requirements in the period before final principles and guidelines are adopted by the board. (5) The board shall have primary enforcement responsibility for principles and guidelines adopted under this section, and shall notify the Department of Cannabis Control of any enforcement action taken.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13149.2. Section 13149.2.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to facilitate the development of analyses and findings that apply environmental justice objectives, goals, and policies adopted by the state board and the regional boards in a transparent and inclusive manner. (b) When adopting water quality control plans or state policies for water quality control, including amendments to those plans and policies that incorporate an implementation program allowing time to comply with water quality objectives, the state board or a regional board shall make a concise, programmatic finding on potential environmental justice, tribal impact, and racial equity considerations related to the adoption. The finding shall be based on readily available information identified by staff or raised during the public review process and shall include both of the following: (1) A concise summary of the anticipated water quality impact in disadvantaged or tribal communities as a result of the permitted activity or facility, and any environmental justice concerns within the scope of the state board or regional board’s authority previously raised to the applicable board by interested persons with regard to these impacts. (2) Identification of measures available and within the scope of the state board or regional board’s authority to address the impacts of the permitted activity or facility in a disadvantaged or tribal community. (c) When issuing or reissuing regional or statewide waste discharge requirements or waivers of waste discharge requirements, the state board or a regional board shall make a concise, programmatic finding on potential environmental justice, tribal impact, and racial equity considerations related to the issuance. For reissuances, the finding may be limited to considerations related to any changes to the requirements of the prior waste discharge requirements or waivers of waste discharge requirements. The finding shall be based on readily available information identified by staff or raised during the public review process and include the information specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b). (d) When issuing or reissuing individual waste discharge requirements or waivers of waste discharge requirements that regulate activity or a facility that may impact a disadvantaged or tribal community, and that includes a time schedule in accordance with subdivision (c) of Section 13263 for achieving an applicable water quality objective, an alternative compliance path that allows time to come into compliance with water quality objectives, or a water quality variance, the state board or a regional board shall make a finding on potential environmental justice, tribal impact, and racial equity considerations. For reissuances, the finding may be limited to considerations related to any changes to the requirements of the prior waste discharge requirements or waivers of waste discharge requirements. The finding shall be based on readily available information identified by staff or raised during the public review process and include the information specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (b). This subdivision does not apply to the use of mixing zones or dilution credits. (e) This section does not apply to certifications issued pursuant to Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1341) or enrollments of dischargers under general waste discharge requirements or general waivers of waste discharge requirements. (f) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) “Disadvantaged community” means a community in which the median household income is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income level. (2) “Environmental justice” has the same meaning as defined in Section 30107.3 of the Public Resources Code. (3) “Tribal community” means a community within a federally recognized California Native American tribe or nonfederally recognized Native American tribe on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission for the purposes of Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026