Sets rules for breweries to reuse process water

Existing law requires the State Water Resources Control Board to establish uniform statewide recycling criteria for each varying type of use of recycled water where the use involves the protection of public health. Existing law requires, on or before December 1, 2022, the state board, in consultation with specified state agencies, to adopt regulations for risk-based water quality standards for the onsite treatment and reuse of nonpotable water, as provided. Existing law requires that a local jurisdiction establish a program for onsite treated nonpotable water systems before any such systems are installed.

This bill would require the state board, on or before December 1, 2025, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Branch, to adopt regulations for microbiological, chemical, and physical water quality and treatment requirements for voluntary onsite treatment and reuse of process water in breweries, as specified. The bill would require an entity that implements a process water treatment system in a brewery to submit a report containing specified information to the state board and the food and drug branch, as provided, and to terminate the operation of, and modify to render inoperable, process water treatment systems in a brewery at the direction of the food and drug branch after having reasonable opportunity to come into compliance with applicable regulations, as warranted. The bill would require the food and drug branch to consult with the state board before requiring termination of a process water treatment system. The bill would require a process water treatment system in a brewery to comply with the regulations within 2 years of the effective date of the regulations with possible extensions, as specified. The bill would allow the state board to contract with private and public entities for advice regarding the content of the regulations. The bill would require, before beginning onsite process water reuse, a brewery engaging in onsite reuse using a process water treatment system to consult with the water and wastewater service providers in its service area that would potentially be impacted by operation of the system. The bill would authorize breweries to install and operate onsite process water treatment systems even if a local jurisdiction has not established a program for onsite treated nonpotable water systems.