2007 California Water Code Article 6. Waste Well Regulation

CA Codes (wat:13540-13541)

13540.  (a) No person shall construct, maintain or use any waste
well extending to or into a subterranean water-bearing stratum that
is used or intended to be used as, or is suitable for, a source of
water supply for domestic purposes.
   (b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), when a regional board
finds that water quality considerations do not preclude controlled
recharge of the stratum by direct injection, and when the State
Department of Health Services, following a public hearing, finds the
proposed recharge will not degrade the quality of water in the
receiving aquifer as a source of water supply for domestic purposes,
recycled water may be injected by a well into the stratum.  The State
Department of Health Services may make and enforce any regulations
pertaining to this subdivision as it deems proper.
   (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to do either or
both of the following:
   (A) Affect the authority of the state board or regional boards to
prescribe and enforce requirements for the discharge.
   (B) Preempt the exercise by a water district of its existing
ordinance authority to impose or implement stricter standards for
protecting groundwater quality in the receiving aquifer.
   (c) When the State Department of Health Services makes the
findings provided for in subdivision (b), the department shall
consider the state board's Statement of Policy with Respect to
Maintaining High Quality of Waters in California, as set forth in
Resolution 68-16, dated October 28, 1968, and shall also consider
current and potential future public health consequences of the
controlled recharge.



13541.  As used in this article, "waste well" includes any hole dug
or drilled into the ground, used or intended to be used for the
disposal of waste.