Water Reclamation Requirements for Recycled Water Use

Overview

The State Water Board adopted Water Reclamation Requirements for Recycled Water Use (Order WQ 2016-0068-DDW) on June 7, 2016 (General Order). The General Order replaces 2014-0090-DWQ General Waste Discharge Requirements for Recycled Water Use. The General Order establishes standard conditions for recycled water use and conditionally delegates authority to an Administrator to manage a Water Recycling Program and issue Water Recycling Permits to recycled water users. Only treated municipal wastewater for non-potable uses can be permitted, such as landscape irrigation, crop irrigation, dust control, industrial/commercial cooling, decorative fountains, etc. Potable reuse activities are not authorized under this General Order.

On April 25, 2014, the Governor issued an Executive Order declaring a continued state of emergency due to severe drought conditions. Directive No 10 of the Executive Order directs the State Water Board to "adopt statewide general waste discharge requirements to facilitate the use of treated wastewater that meets standards set by CDPH, in order to reduce demand on potable water supplies." Directive No 19 of the Executive Order provides that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirement to conduct environmental review is suspended for the adoption of the General Order. The Governor's Executive Order B-28-14 extends the CEQA waiver applicability for the adoption of the water reclamation requirements by the State Water Board that serve the Directive No 10 of the April 25, 2014 Executive Order. The Governor issued an Executive Order B-36-15 on November 13, 2015 extending the CEQA waiver for adoption of the proposed General Order.

• Final Water Reclamation Requirements for Recycled Water Use

Contact Information

Sherly Rosilela, P.E.
Senior Water Resource Control Engineer
(916) 341-5578
Sherly.Rosilela@waterboards.ca.gov

  (Page last updated 3/14/22)