Chapter 22. Graywater Systems of California Water Code >> Division 7. >> Chapter 22.

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

"Department" means the Department of Water Resources.

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

(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) The department shall include among the approved methods of subsurface irrigation, but the approved methods shall not be limited to, drip systems.
  (c) The department shall revise its graywater systems standards as needed.
  (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) 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.

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.

(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) 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) 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.