Wine, Beverage and Food Processor (WBFP) Wastewater Program

Background

Wine, beverage, and food processing (WBFP) facilities in the North Coast Region typically produce process wastewater and, occasionally, waste solids. The discharge and threat of discharge of this waste to waters of the state, including to land and subsequently groundwater, is subject to regulation by Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) or Waivers of Waste Discharge Requirements (Waivers) issued by the Regional Water Board and the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board).

Regional Water Board Orders

Historically, the Regional Water Board issued individual WDRs for WBFP wastewater treatment and disposal systems discharging processing wastewater to land. Beginning in 2002, wine processors with similar wastewater treatment and disposal systems were allowed to enroll under a General WDR for Discharges of Winery Waste to Land, Regional Water Board Order No. R1-2002-0012 (R1 General Winery Permit).

To address the increasing number of WBFP facilities being proposed and constructed in the North Coast Region, Regional Water Board staff developed General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) and a Conditional Waiver of WDRs (Waiver) for wine, beverage and food processor (WBFP) wastewater systems discharging to land. The General WBFP WDRs and conditional Waiver of WDRs are intended to replace the 2002 R1 General Winery Permit for wineries and expanded permit coverage to other beverage and food processors including, but not limited to, breweries, distilleries, cheese processors, cut and wrap facilities, and olive oil manufacturers. WBFP facilities discharging small volumes of wastewater to land, typically under 1,500 gallons per day (gpd) but sometimes under 3,000 gpd for some wineries, may apply for coverage under the WBFP Waiver.

On January 28, 2016, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Wine, Beverage and Food Processor Waste to Land, Order No. R1-2016-0002, and Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Wine, Beverage and Food Processor Waste to Land, Order No. R1-2016-0003.

On February 4, 2021, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted Order No. R1-2021-0001, which renewed and replaced Order No. R1-2016-0003.

On February 18, 2026, the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, which renewed and replaced Order No. R1-2021-0001

Current Regional Water Board Orders and Appendices

Adopted General Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Wine, Beverage and Food Processor Waste to Land, Order No. R1-2016-0002

• Waste Discharge Requirements
• Appendix A (Form 200)
• Appendix B (Technical Information Form)
• Appendix C (Monitoring and Reporting Program)
• Appendix D (Facility-Specific Nutrient Management Plan)

Adopted Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Wine, Beverage and Food Processor Waste to Land, Order No. R1-2026-0001

• Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements
• Appendix A (eNOI)
• Appendix B (Technical Information Form)
• Appendix C (Monitoring and Reporting Program)

State Board General Waste Discharge Requirements for Wineries

The State Board has developed General WDRs for winery process water (State Winery Order) for wineries and other similar facilities (collectively referred to as wineries) with activities related to producing wine or grape juice that generate winery waste and discharge it to land for reuse or disposal. The State Winery Order is applicable statewide and is intended to streamline and improve permitting consistency. On January 20, 2021, the State Board adopted Resolution No. 2021-0001 for the California Environmental Quality Act Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water and the associated State Winery Order.

Regional Board Winery Transition Plan

Recognizing the need to develop a strategy for coordinating regulation under the various orders applicable to wineries in the North Coast Region, in 2022 staff developed and presented to the Regional Water Board via the August 4, 2022, Executive Officers Report, the Region 1 Implementation Plan for use of the Statewide Winery WDRs Order (LINK TO EO Report ) (Transition Plan). The Transition Plan prioritized staff efforts into two broad categories based on threat to water quality. The top priority was enrollment of new and existing wineries not under a WDR or a Waiver into the State Winery Order. The second priority was the enrollment of existing wineries already covered by a WDR or Waiver into the State Winery Order.