Selected Drinking Water Program Publications

Approved Backflow Prevention Devices

Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations requires public water systems to use backflow prevention devices that have been laboratory and field tested by a recognized testing organization that has demonstrated its competency to the Department. The University of Southern California's Foundation for Cross-Connection Control and Hydraulic Research is one such organization. USC's Foundation maintains a list of approved devices on its website at: https://fccchr.usc.edu/list.html.

Please note that USC's approved device list includes those devices certified as "lead-free", as well as those aren't. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 116875, if the water flowing through a backflow prevention device is ultimately provided for human consumption, the device must be lead-free. Those selecting a device should be cognizant of this requirement and choose accordingly.

If you need additional assistance, please contact the Division of Drinking Water at (916) 449-5577.

Waterworks Standards

• Letter to Water Systems: Separation of Water Mains and Non-Potable Pipelines - Requests for Alternatives to the Waterworks Standards
• Waterworks Standards Main Separation Alternative Request Checklist (MS Word)

Capacity Development

• Triennial Capacity Development Report to the Governor (2019-2022)
• Annual Capacity Development Report to USEPA
  • FY 2018-2019
  • FY 2020-2021
    • Cover Letter
    • Report
• Capacity Development Strategy (2000)
• Capacity Development Strategy - Addendum FYS 2019-21

Capacity Development Reports for prior years are available on request to: Karen Nishimoto at Karen.Nishimoto@Waterboards.ca.gov

Drinking Water Program Annual Compliance Report

• 2023 Reporting Year
  • Review Dataset
• 2022 Reporting Year
  • Review Dataset
• 2021 Reporting Year
  • Review Dataset
• 2020 Reporting Year
  • Review Dataset
• 2019 Reporting Year
  • Report Dataset
• 2018 Reporting Year
  • Report Dataset

Annual Compliance Reports for prior years are available on request to: DDW Quality Assurance Section at DDW-QAS@waterboards.ca.gov

Cryptosporidium

• Cryptosporidium Action Plan (2019 revised)(PDF)

Extremely Impaired Sources

A revised Process Memo 97-005-R2020 has been issued by the DDW along with a User Guide which is the result of a collaborative effort and is produced as a public service by the Coalition for Environmental Protection Restoration and Development.  Not every circumstance can be covered by written guidance. This User Guide is designed to provide a starting point and common frame of reference to help applicants and reviewers alike navigate the 97-005 permit process effectively. You are encouraged to be familiar with both documents.

• Signed DDW Cover Memo (PDF)
• Guidance for Direct Domestic Use of Extremely Impaired Sources: Process Memorandum 97-005-R2020 (PDF)
• Process Memo 97-005 User Guide (PDF)
• Process Memo 97-005 User Guide Appendices A-H (PDF)

Fluoridation

• Fluoridation Non-Exemption list (January 1, 2003) (PDF)

Point of Use Treatment

• California Point of Use Compliance (March 2013) (PDF)

Recreational Use of Drinking Water Reservoirs

• Guidelines for Evaluating Applications for Recreational Use Permits at Domestic Water Supply Reservoirs (November 15, 2000 Draft) (PDF)

Safe Drinking Water Plan

• Safe Drinking Water Plan for California (2015)
• Drinking Water into the 21st Century - Safe Drinking Water Plan for CA (PDF, 25.9MB) - January 1993 (487 pages)

Technologies

• Alternative Filtration Technology (AFT) Report (2001) (PDF) 
• AFT Summary reports (June 2018)
  • AFT Contact Clarification, Pressure Filters and Bag/Cartridge Filters (PDF)
  • AFT Membrane Summary (PDF)
• Water Treatment Technology Approval Process for Public Water System (PDF) - January 16, 2002

Others

• Senate Bill X2 1 - Report to the Legislature (2011) (PDF)
• Drinking Water Program Law Book
• "Write-On" Software & Libraries for Laboratories Submitting Analytical Data

More Information

• Division of Drinking Water