Key Point

• The State Water Board’s direct potable reuse regulations were published on July 21, 2023. Written public comments on the proposed regulations are due by noon on September 8, 2023.

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For decades, California has known that its future includes more recycled water. “Recycled water” is any treated wastewater that “is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur and is therefore considered a valuable resource.” Recycled water’s beneficial uses have grown as wastewater treatment technologies improved. What began with nonpotable uses—like irrigation and industrial cooling—later extended to indirect potable uses like groundwater recharge or surface water dilution. Technology has now improved to yield recycled water that can be of higher quality than many traditional drinking water sources.

Regulations currently prohibit water suppliers from delivering recycled water directly to homes and businesses for consumption. But on July 21st, the State Water Board published its long-awaited direct potable reuse regulations. If adopted, these proposed regulations would allow water systems to deliver recycled water directly into a public water system or into a raw water supply immediately upstream of a water treatment plant. The proposed regulations are found here. The State Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations on September 7, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. and all written public comments are due by noon on September 8, 2023.

If you are interested in learning more about what the proposed direct potable reuse regulations require or how the regulations may impact you, please contact our Water Law attorneys for more information.