This chapter applies to the construction, installation, or alteration of graywater systems for subsurface irrigation and other safe uses.
Chapter 22Graywater Systems
Section § 14875
This law covers the rules for building, putting in, or changing graywater systems used for watering plants below the soil or other safe purposes.
graywater systems subsurface irrigation graywater construction graywater installation graywater alteration safe water uses irrigation systems water recycling environmental systems eco-friendly irrigation sustainable water practices water conservation green building horticulture water management
Section § 14875.1
This section defines the term 'Department' specifically as referring to the Department of Water Resources.
“Department” means the Department of Water Resources.
Department of Water Resources Water Resources Department definitions in water code term definition California water management state water department water resource agency department definition water code terminology
Section § 14876
The term "graywater" refers to wastewater that's not contaminated by toilet discharge or unhealthy bodily waste. It's generally safe because it doesn't carry infectious or harmful substances. Graywater comes from sources like bathtubs, showers, bathroom sinks, washing machines, and laundry tubs. However, it does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
“Graywater” means untreated wastewater which has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge, has not been affected by infectious, contaminated, or unhealthy bodily wastes, and which does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful processing, manufacturing, or operating wastes. Graywater includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
graywater definition untreated wastewater non-contaminated waste toilet discharge exclusion bodily waste exclusion bathtub wastewater shower wastewater bathroom sink water washing machine wastewater laundry tub water kitchen sink exclusion dishwasher exclusion health risk safe wastewater water recycling
Section § 14877
A "graywater system" refers to equipment linked to your plumbing that helps safely distribute or use graywater, which is typically water from sinks, showers, and laundry.
“Graywater system” means a system and devices, attached to the plumbing system for the sanitary distribution or use of graywater.
graywater graywater reuse plumbing systems water recycling sanitary distribution environmental conservation graywater devices water efficiency sustainable water use home water systems
Section § 14877.1
This law requires the California Department, alongside the State Department of Public Health and California State University's Center for Irrigation Technology, to create standards for installing graywater systems. They must consider existing guidelines like Appendix J and input from irrigation experts. Graywater systems can include subsurface irrigation methods such as drip systems. These standards need to be updated when necessary, but the Department's authority ends when the California Building Standards Commission approves related standards for residential and nonresidential buildings.
(a)CA Water Code § 14877.1(a) The department, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health and the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, shall adopt standards for the installation of graywater systems. In adopting these standards, the department shall consider, among other resources, “Appendix J,” as adopted on September 29, 1992, by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the graywater standard proposed for the latest edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the City of Los Angeles Graywater Pilot Project Final Report issued in November 1992, and the advice of the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University,
Fresno, on the installation depth for subsurface drip irrigation systems.
(b)CA Water Code § 14877.1(b) The department shall include among the approved methods of subsurface irrigation, but the approved methods shall not be limited to, drip systems.
(c)CA Water Code § 14877.1(c) The department shall revise its graywater systems standards as needed.
(d)Copy CA Water Code § 14877.1(d)
(1)Copy CA Water Code § 14877.1(d)(1) The authority of the department under this chapter to adopt standards for residential buildings shall terminate upon the approval by the California Building Standards Commission of the standards submitted to that commission pursuant to Section 17922.12 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2)CA Water Code § 14877.1(d)(2) The authority of the department under this chapter to adopt standards for nonresidential occupancies shall terminate upon the adoption of
standards by the California Building Standards Commission pursuant to Section 18941.8 of the Health and Safety Code.
graywater systems installation standards subsurface irrigation drip irrigation Appendix J International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials Uniform Plumbing Code City of Los Angeles Graywater Pilot Project California Building Standards Commission California State University Fresno Center for Irrigation Technology Health and Safety Code 17922.12 Health and Safety Code 18941.8 subsurface drip irrigation residential and nonresidential standards
Section § 14877.2
You can set up a graywater system in your home or property if your local city or county approves it. They will check to make sure it meets certain standards set by the department.
A graywater system may be installed if the city or county having jurisdiction over the installation determines that the system complies with standards adopted by the department.
graywater system installation approval local jurisdiction compliance standards department standards city approval county approval water recycling sustainable water use environmental standards home water system property water management eco-friendly systems local government regulation water conservation
Section § 14877.3
If a city or county in California wants to adopt stricter building standards for graywater systems than the state requires, it can do so after holding a public hearing and passing an ordinance or resolution. They must explain the specific local conditions, like climate or health, that justify these stricter standards and limit them to affected areas.
Additionally, before issuing permits for indoor graywater systems, local authorities need to consult with their public health department to address any health concerns with these systems.
(a)CA Water Code § 14877.3(a) Subject to subdivision (b), a city, county, or other local agency may adopt, after a public hearing and enactment of an ordinance or resolution, building standards that are more restrictive than the graywater building standards adopted pursuant to state requirements.
(b)CA Water Code § 14877.3(b) An ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include the local climatic, geological, topographical, or public health conditions that necessitate building standards that are more restrictive than the graywater building standards adopted pursuant to state requirements and shall be limited to the specific area of the city, county, or local agency where the conditions exist.
(c)CA Water Code § 14877.3(c) Prior to commencing the issuance of permits for indoor graywater systems pursuant to state requirements relating to graywater, a city, county, or other local agency shall seek consultation with the local public health department to ensure that local public health concerns are addressed in local standards or ordinances, or in issuing permits.
graywater systems building standards public hearing local ordinances stricter regulations climatic conditions geological conditions topographical conditions public health concerns local agency consultations permit issuance local conditions indoor graywater systems public health department consultation local standards
