2007 California Water Code Chapter 22. Graywater Systems

CA Codes (wat:14875-14877.3)

14875.  This chapter applies to the construction, installation, or
alteration of graywater systems for subsurface irrigation and other
safe uses.


14875.1.  "Department" means the Department of Water Resources.



14876.  "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.



14877.  "Graywater system" means a system and devices, attached to
the plumbing system for the sanitary distribution or use of
graywater.


14877.1.  (a) On or before January 1, 1997, the department, in
consultation with the State Department of Health Services 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) The department shall include among the approved methods of
subsurface irrigation, but shall not be limited to, drip systems.
   (c) The department shall revise its graywater systems standards as
needed.


14877.2.  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.



14877.3.  After a public hearing, a city or county may adopt, by
ordinance, standards that prohibit the use of graywater or standards
that are more restrictive than the standards adopted by the
department, as appropriate for the local area.