ARTICLE 4. Regulation of Reclamation [13520. - 13529.4.]

Cal. Water Code - WAT 4.

in effect

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13520. Section 13520.

As used in this article “recycling criteria” are the levels of constituents of recycled water, and means for assurance of reliability under the design concept which will result in recycled water safe from the standpoint of public health, for the uses to be made.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13521. Section 13521.

The State Department of Public Health shall establish uniform statewide recycling criteria for each varying type of use of recycled water where the use involves the protection of public health.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13521.1. Section 13521.1.

(a) By December 31, 2016, the state board, in consultation with impacted state agencies, shall determine whether the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water, as defined by Section 60301.230 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, for the purpose of providing water to animals, would not pose a significant risk to public and animal health. If the state board determines that the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for the purpose of providing water to animals would pose a significant risk to public or animal health, the state board shall establish uniform statewide recycling criteria for the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for the purpose of providing water to animals. Except as provided in subdivision (c), if the state board determines that the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for the purpose of providing water to animals would not pose a significant risk to public or animal health, the state board may approve the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for these purposes. (b) In evaluating the use of disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for the purpose of providing water to animals, the state board shall consider, at minimum, all of the following: (1) Recommendations from the existing Advisory Panel on Constituents of Emerging Concerns in Recycled Water. (2) State-funded research performed pursuant to Section 79144 and subdivision (b) of Section 79145. (3) Research by the state board relating to unregulated pollutants. (c) Disinfected tertiary treated recycled water shall not be used in the water supply for dairy animals that are currently producing dairy products for human consumption. (d) A person shall not be required to use disinfected tertiary treated recycled water for the purposes described in this section. (e) The adoption of uniform statewide recycling criteria pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. (f) For purposes of this section, “animal” includes any domesticated bird, bovine animal, horse, mule, burro, sheep, goat, or swine.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13521.2. Section 13521.2.

(a) On or before January 1, 2023, the state board shall update the uniform statewide criteria for nonpotable recycled water uses established in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 60301.050) of Division 4 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. The deadline imposed by this section is mandatory only if the Legislature has appropriated sufficient funds, as determined by the executive director of the state board, in the annual Budget Act or otherwise to cover the state board’s costs associated with the performance of the duties imposed by this section. (b) For purposes of the update to the uniform statewide criteria for nonpotable recycled water uses described in subdivision (a), the state board shall adopt a regulation that incorporates by reference the criteria and applicable backflow protection provisions, including the provisions for the use of a swivel or changeover device for dual-plumbed systems, that are contained in the most recently adopted version of the policy handbook adopted pursuant to Section 116407 of the Health and Safety Code and any future versions of the policy handbook.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13522. Section 13522.

(a) If the State Department of Public Health or a local health officer finds that a contamination exists as a result of the use of recycled water, the department or local health officer shall order the contamination abated in accordance with the procedure provided for in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 5400) of Part 3 of Division 5 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) The use of recycled water in accordance with the uniform statewide recycling criteria established pursuant to Section 13521, for the purpose of this section, does not cause, constitute, or contribute to, any form of contamination, unless the department or the regional board determines that contamination exists.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13522.5. Section 13522.5.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (e), any person recycling or proposing to recycle water, or using or proposing to use recycled water, within any region for any purpose for which recycling criteria have been established, shall file with the appropriate regional board a report containing information required by the regional board. (b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), every person recycling water or using recycled water shall file with the appropriate regional board a report of any material change or proposed change in the character of the recycled water or its use. (c) Each report under this section shall be sworn to, or submitted under penalty of perjury. (d) This section shall not be construed so as to require any report in the case of any producing, manufacturing, or processing operation involving the recycling of water solely for use in the producing, manufacturing, or processing operation. (e) Except upon the written request of the regional board, a report is not required pursuant to this section from any user of recycled water which is being supplied by a supplier or distributor for whom a master recycling permit has been issued pursuant to Section 13523.1.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13522.6. Section 13522.6.

Any person failing to furnish a report under Section 13522.5 when so requested by a regional board is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13522.7. Section 13522.7.

The Attorney General, at the request of the regional board, shall petition the superior court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction or permanent injunction, or combination thereof, as may be appropriate, requiring any person not complying with Section 13522.5 to comply forthwith.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13523. Section 13523.

(a) Each regional board, after consulting with and receiving the recommendations of the State Department of Public Health and any party who has requested in writing to be consulted, and after any necessary hearing, shall, if in the judgment of the board, it is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, prescribe water recycling requirements for water that is used or proposed to be used as recycled water. (b) The requirements may be placed upon the person recycling water, the user, or both. The requirements shall be established in conformance with the uniform statewide recycling criteria established pursuant to Section 13521. The regional board may require the submission of a preconstruction report for the purpose of determining compliance with the uniform statewide recycling criteria. The requirements for a use of recycled water not addressed by the uniform statewide recycling criteria shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13523.1. Section 13523.1.

(a) Each regional board, after consulting with, and receiving the recommendations of, the State Department of Public Health and any party who has requested in writing to be consulted, with the consent of the proposed permittee, and after any necessary hearing, may, in lieu of issuing waste discharge requirements pursuant to Section 13263 or water recycling requirements pursuant to Section 13523 for a user of recycled water, issue a master recycling permit to a supplier or distributor, or both, of recycled water. (b) A master recycling permit shall include, at least, all of the following: (1) Waste discharge requirements, adopted pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 13260) of Chapter 4. (2) A requirement that the permittee comply with the uniform statewide recycling criteria established pursuant to Section 13521. Permit conditions for a use of recycled water not addressed by the uniform statewide water recycling criteria shall be considered on a case-by-case basis. (3) A requirement that the permittee establish and enforce rules or regulations for recycled water users, governing the design and construction of recycled water use facilities and the use of recycled water, in accordance with the uniform statewide recycling criteria established pursuant to Section 13521. (4) A requirement that the permittee submit a quarterly report summarizing recycled water use, including the total amount of recycled water supplied, the total number of recycled water use sites, and the locations of those sites, including the names of the hydrologic areas underlying the recycled water use sites. (5) A requirement that the permittee conduct periodic inspections of the facilities of the recycled water users to monitor compliance by the users with the uniform statewide recycling criteria established pursuant to Section 13521 and the requirements of the master recycling permit. (6) Any other requirements determined to be appropriate by the regional board.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13523.5. Section 13523.5.

A regional board may not deny issuance of water reclamation requirements to a project which violates only a salinity standard in the basin plan.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13524. Section 13524.

No person shall recycle water or use recycled water for any purpose for which recycling criteria have been established until water recycling requirements have been established pursuant to this article or a regional board determines that no requirements are necessary.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13525. Section 13525.

Upon the refusal or failure of any person or persons recycling water or using recycled water to comply with the provisions of this article, the Attorney General, at the request of the regional board, shall petition the superior court for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction, or combination thereof, as may be appropriate, prohibiting forthwith any person or persons from violating or threatening to violate the provisions of this article.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13525.5. Section 13525.5.

Any person recycling water or using recycled water in violation of Section 13524, after such violation has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of such recycling or use shall constitute a separate offense.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13526. Section 13526.

Any person who, after such action has been called to his attention in writing by the regional board, uses recycled water for any purpose for which recycling criteria have been established prior to the establishment of water recycling requirements, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13527. Section 13527.

(a) In administering any statewide program of financial assistance for water pollution or water quality control which may be delegated to it pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 13400) of this division, the state board shall give added consideration to water quality control facilities providing optimum water recycling and use of recycled water. (b) Nothing in this chapter prevents the appropriate regional board from establishing waste discharge requirements if a discharge is involved.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13528. Section 13528.

This chapter shall not be construed as affecting the powers of the State Department of Public Health.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13528.5. Section 13528.5.

(a) The state board may carry out the duties and authority granted to a regional board pursuant to this chapter. (b) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2014.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13529. Section 13529.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (a) The purpose of Section 13529.2 is to establish notification requirements for unauthorized discharges of recycled water to waters of the state. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to promote the efficient and safe use of recycled water. (c) The people of the state have a primary interest in the development of facilities to recycle water to supplement existing water supplies and to minimize the impacts of growing demand for new water on sensitive natural water bodies. (d) A substantial portion of the future water requirements of the state may be economically met by the beneficial use of recycled water. (e) The Legislature has established a statewide goal to recycle 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. (f) The use of recycled water has proven to be safe and the State Department of Health Services is drafting regulations to provide for expanded uses of recycled water.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13529.2. Section 13529.2.

(a) Any person who, without regard to intent or negligence, causes or permits an unauthorized discharge of 50,000 gallons or more of recycled water, as defined in subdivision (c), or 1,000 gallons or more of recycled water, as defined in subdivision (d), in or on any waters of the state, or causes or permits such unauthorized discharge to be discharged where it is, or probably will be, discharged in or on any waters of the state, shall, as soon as (1) that person has knowledge of the discharge, (2) notification is possible, and (3) notification can be provided without substantially impeding cleanup or other emergency measures, immediately notify the appropriate regional board. (b) For the purposes of this section, an unauthorized discharge means a discharge not authorized by waste discharge requirements pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 13260) of Chapter 4, water reclamation requirements pursuant to Section 13523, a master reclamation permit pursuant to Section 13523.1, or any other provision of this division. (c) For the purposes of this section, “recycled water” means wastewater treated as “disinfected tertiary 2.2 recycled water,” as defined or described by the State Department of Health Care Services or wastewater receiving advanced treatment beyond disinfected tertiary 2.2 recycled water once it completes the required treatment process and enters a storage tank, pipeline, or canal for conveyance or distribution. (d) For purposes of this section, “recycled water” means “recycled water,” as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 13050, which is treated at a level less than “disinfected tertiary 2.2 recycled water,” as defined or described by the State Department of Health Care Services. (e) For the purposes of this section, water discharged from a decorative body of water during storm events shall not be considered an unauthorized discharge if recycled water was used to restore levels due to evaporation. For purposes of this subdivision, “decorative body of water” means an impoundment for aesthetic enjoyment or landscape irrigation, or which otherwise serves a similar use or function, in which recycled water is stored or used and is not intended to include public contact. (f) The requirements in this section supplement, and shall not supplant, any other provisions of law.

Cal. Water Code - WAT § 13529.4. Section 13529.4.

(a) Any person refusing or failing to provide the notice required by Section 13529.2, or as required by a condition of waste discharge requirements requiring notification of unauthorized releases of recycled water as defined in Section 13529.2, may be subject to administrative civil liability in an amount not to exceed the following: (1) For the first violation, or a subsequent violation occurring more than 365 days from a previous violation, five thousand dollars ($5,000). (2) For a second violation occurring within 365 days of a previous violation, ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (3) For a third or subsequent violation occurring within 365 days of a previous violation, twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000). (b) The penalties in this section supplement, and shall not supplant, any other provisions of law.

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