Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23 § 2920

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 43, October 25, 2024
Section 2920 - Policy for Water Quality Control for Recycled Water (Recycled Water Policy)

On February 3, 2009, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) adopted Resolution No. 2009-0011, which adopted the Recycled Water Policy. In adopting the Recycled Water Policy, the State Water Board intended to establish consistent and predictable requirements in order to increase the use of recycled water in California. The regulatory provisions of this policy establish mandates for the use of recycled water; require the development by stakeholders and the adoption by Regional Water Quality Control Boards of regional salt/nutrient management plans; establish requirements for regulating incidental runoff from landscape irrigation with recycled water; establish criteria and procedures for recycled water landscape irrigation projects eligible for streamlined permitting; establish procedures for permitting groundwater recharge projects; establish procedures for implementing State Water Board Resolution No. 68-16, "Statement of Policy with Respect to Maintaining High Quality of Waters in California" for recycled water projects; require the establishment of a scientific advisory panel to advise the State Water Board on regulation of constituents of emerging concern; and establish actions and incentives to promote the use of recycled water.

On January 22, 2013, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted Resolution No. 2013-0003, which approved an amendment to its Recycled Water Policy. The amendment (1) provides a reduction of priority pollutant monitoring of recycled water used for landscape irrigation and (2) establishes monitoring requirements for constituents of emerging concern and surrogates for recycled water used for groundwater recharge via subsurface and surface application. These monitoring requirements are to be included in the monitoring and reporting programs for water recycling facilities that use recycled water for landscape irrigation or for groundwater recharge to augment municipal water supply.

On December 11, 2018, the State Water Board adopted Resolution No. 2018-0057, which approved an amendment to its Recycled Water Policy. The amendment (1) removes statewide recycled water mandates, (2) sets narrative goals for the production and use of recycled water, (3) establishes treated wastewater and recycled water reporting requirements statewide, (4) clarifies the process for recycled water project proponents to comply with Water Code section 1211 for wastewater change petitions, (5) updates requirements for salt and nutrient management planning, (6) improves consistency in permitting of recycled water projects by encouraging the use of statewide water reclamation requirements for non-potable recycled water use, removing streamlined permitting criteria for landscape irrigation recycled water projects, and adding permitting guidance for reservoir water augmentation projects, (7) updates monitoring requirements for constituents of emerging concern (CECs) in recycled water used for groundwater recharge and reservoir water augmentation, and (8) incorporates other substantive and non-substantive changes.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 23, § 2920

1. New section filed 5-14-2009 summarizing State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2009-011, adopted February 3, 2009; approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section 11353 on 5-14-2009 (Register 2009, No. 20).
2. New second paragraph filed 4-25-2013 summarizing State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2013-0003, adopted by State Water Resources Control Board 1-22-2013; approved by OAL on 4-25-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11353; operative 4-25-2013 (Register 2013, No. 17).
3. New third paragraph summarizing amendments to Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water filed 4-8-2019; amendments approved by State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2018-0057 on 12-11-2018; amendments approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section 11353 on 4-8-2019 (Register 2019, No. 15).
1. New section filed 5-14-2009 summarizing State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2009-011, adopted February 3, 2009; approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section 11353 on 5-14-2009 (Register 2009, No. 20).
2. New second paragraph filed 4-25-2013 summarizing State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2013-0003, adopted by State Water Resources Control Board 1-22-2013; approved by OAL on 4-25-2013 pursuant to Government Code section 11353; operative 4-25-2013 (Register 2013, No. 17).
3. New third paragraph summarizing amendments to Water Quality Control Policy for Recycled Water filed 4/8/2019; amendments approved by State Water Resources Control Board Resolution No. 2018-0057 on 12-11-2018; amendments approved by OAL pursuant to Government Code section 11353 on 4-8-2019 (Register 2019, No. 15).