Recycling Treated Municipal Wastewater for Industrial Water Use

Appendix B
Status of Water Reuse Regulations and Guidelines
the source of reclaimed water is of adequate quality for these uses and is available for
these uses; reclaimed water may be furnished for these uses at a reasonable cost to the
user; after concurrence with the State Department of Health Services, the use of
reclaimed water from the proposed source will not be detrimental to public health; and
use of reclaimed water for these uses will not adversely affect downstream water rights,
will not degrade water quality, and is determined not to be injurious to plant life, fish
and wildlife. The Water Code mandates that no person or public agency shall use water
from any source or quality suitable for potable domestic use for nonpotable uses if
suitable reclaimed water is available and meets the conditions stated above. Other
sections of the code allow for mandating reclaimed water use for irrigation of residential
landscaping, industrial cooling applications, and toilet and urinal flushing in
nonresidential buildings. Some local jurisdictions in the state have taken action to
require the use of reclaimed water is certain situations.
U.S. EPA Guidelines for Water Reuse
In recognition of the increasing role of water reuse as an integral component of the
nation's water resources management – and to facilitate the orderly planning, design, and
implementation of water reuse projects – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), in conjunction with the U.S. Agency for International Development, published
Guidelines for Water Reuse in 1992 [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1992]. The
U.S. EPA took the position that national water reuse standards were not necessary and
comprehensive guidelines, coupled with flexible state regulations, would foster increased
consideration and implementation of water reuse projects. The guidelines were updated
in 2004 [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004] to include technological advances,
research data, and other information generated in the last decade. The guidelines
address various aspects of water reuse and include recommended treatment processes,
reclaimed water quality limits, monitoring frequencies, setback distances, and other
controls for various water reuse applications. The suggested guidelines for wastewater
treatment and reclaimed water quality are presented in Appendix A.
It is explicitly stated in the Guidelines for Water Reuse that the recommended treatment
unit processes and water quality limits presented in the guidelines “are not intended to be
used as definitive water reclamation and reuse criteria. They are intended to provide
reasonable guidance for water reuse opportunities, particularly in states that have not
developed their own criteria or guidelines.” [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
2004].
References
California Department of Health Services. 2004. Draft Groundwater Recharge Regulations: 12-1-04.
California Department of Health Services, Drinking Water Technical Program Branch, Sacramento, California.
California State Water Resources Control Board. 2000. Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act.
California Water Code, Division 7. Compiled by the State Water Resources Control Board, Sacramento,
California.
Craddock Consulting Engineers B-18
In Association with CDM & James Crook
WWReuse Tm1_Appendix B_Regulatory.doc