May, 2000
Legislative Alert! SB 2095 Will Mandate Installation of Recycled Water Pipelines for Residential, Commercial, or Industrial Developments
PURPOSE OF BILL: SB 2095 (Senator Johnston and Senator Perata), if passed,
will require local legislative bodies to mandate installation of recycled water pipelines for residential, commercial, or industrial developments if the legislative body determines recycled water is, or will be available. The next
hearing date is scheduled for May 15, 2000. BACKGROUND: Current allowed uses for recycled water include irrigation of lawns, roadsides, parks, common areas, and certain agricultural crops. The Water Reuse
Association states that more than 500,000 acre-feet of recycled water is used in California each year. That number is expected to grow to more than 1.5 million acre-feet by 2020. Existing law requires certain residential,
commercial, or industrial developments to have separate piping systems for potable water and recycled water. This requirement only applies to developments that are within the jurisdiction or are within five miles of a water
supplier that has an Urban Water Management Plan that includes intent to develop recycled water. The Subdivision Map Act requires local officials to review proposed developments, and the local officials can impose conditions on developments
prior to approving the tentative map for the development. Before a development can receive a final map and proceed to construction the developer must satisfy the conditions required for the tentative map.
PROPOSED LAW: The measure would prohibit a city or county from approving a tentative subdivision map before the city or county makes a finding as to whether or not recycled water is available for the subdivision. The bill
requires the city or county to find that recycled water is available if the development is in or adjacent to an agency that provides recycled water; or if that agency has plans to provide recycled water and has indicated an ability and
willingness to serve the development. If the city or county find that recycled water is available, then it must require the development to install a separate recycled water-plumbing system to supply non-potable uses in common
areas. COMMENTS: Recycled water is a significant part of the water supply for urban areas and is expected to grow in importance. The sources for more recycled water are already
available. Wastewater treatment plants produce millions of gallons of treated wastewater per day. The only significant stumbling block to widespread use of recycled water is the ability to distribute the recycled water to
users. Most recycled water projects deliver water to just a few very large users such as parks, cooling towers, or golf courses. This bill takes a step forward in making entire residential and commercial developments ready to use
recycled water and should significantly increase the use of recycled water. Current law allows local officials to require recycled water pipes to be installed in new developments prior to approving a tentative map.
However, local officials are not required to mandate installation of recycled water pipes. Under this bill, such a mandate would exist if the local officials find that recycled water is available. SUPPORT:
OPPOSED: None Received FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit the California Senate Legislative web page at: http://
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