Office Of Administrative Law Approves Direct Potable Reuse Regulations by ACWA Staff Aug 8, 2024 Water News The Office of Administrative Law has approved the direct potable reuse regulations that were adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board on Dec. 19, 2023, a major milestone in diversifying California’s water supply while maintaining its safety, quality and reliability. As approved, the regulations address a number of issues identified in a September comment letter from a coalition led by WateReuse California that includes ACWA. The regulations establish criteria for the introduction of recycled water either directly into a public water system or into a raw water supply immediately upstream of a water treatment plant. In December, State Water Board members voted unanimously to adopt the regulations, also directing staff to provide an update on implementation of the regulations in approximately a year. For ACWA member agencies, the regulations will facilitate the ability to expand their water recycling capabilities, a vital part of strengthening water resilience against climate change impacts. This will provide a consistent framework for water suppliers to plan ahead, know expectations, and build projects to be more drought resilient, creating certainty for water agencies to make essential local investments. The State Water Board’s Dec. 19 decision caps a 13-year legislative and regulatory process that included extensive advocacy from California’s water and wastewater community. WateReuse California’s leadership throughout this process was critical in getting these landmark regulations adopted and approved. ACWA recognizes water reuse as an important source of water supply for long-term water resilience and supports Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy goal of recycling and reusing 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030.
