News in Water Reuse Regulations and Guidelines
Several states are actively working on their reuse regulations or guidelines. This page highlights some of these developments; however, it may not reflect all upcoming changes to state laws or policies.
Please contact waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if a state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on this page. Please include a link to the relevant state website with the updated information.
Nationwide
- The Federal Energy Management Program created a Rainwater Harvesting Regulations Map; this map provides a central location for state-level regulations on rainwater harvesting.
Arizona
- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has begun a rulemaking process revise the administrative code regarding direct potable reuse. While direct potable reuse is currently allowed under state regulations, this rulemaking will provide additional regulatory specificity to allow for the development of such projects. A Technical Advisory Group is being formed to assist in this process and meetings are expected to begin in 2022. A draft rule is expected in August of 2023 with the proposed rule expected in January 2024. More information on rules.
- Arizona's Advanced Water Purification program has released a proposed roadmap that, when final, may serve as a resource to assist stakeholders, including utilities, the State of Arizona employees, consultants, planners, business owners, and the public, in understanding permitting, advanced water treatment and removal, enhanced source control, operational requirements and more.
California
- The California State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) Division of Drinking Water is in the process of developing uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse. SWRCB is required to complete this process by December 31, 2023 and is currently administering an expert review panel to help guide this process. More information on draft criteria, public meetings, and meetings of the expert panel.
- SWRCB is in the process of developing risk-based water quality standards for the onsite treatment and reuse of non-potable water for non-potable end uses in multifamily residential, commercial, and mixed use buildings. SWRCB is required to adopt regulations by December 1, 2022 and the Department of Housing and Community Development is required to propose necessary building standards by December 1, 2023. More information on onsite treatment and reuse.
Colorado
- The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has developed a direct potable reuse rule as part of the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Regulation 11). This rule is effective as of January 14, 2023. Read the rule here. in the first quarter of 2023. More information can be found at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Website.
Florida
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is undergoing a potable reuse rulemaking effort to address both direct and indirect potable reuse. More information about draft rules and public meetings.
New Mexico
- The New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) has drafted both ASR/IPR and DPR Guidance but currently has no specific regulations for potable reuse. NMED has proposed supplemental requirements for water reuse (20.6.8 NMAC) including produced water and will accept public comment through December 1, 2023.
Washington
- The Washington Department of Health is considering adopting a new rule to establish water quality standards for onsite non-potable water reuse. This includes the onsite treatment and use of wastewater from all domestic fixtures, gray water, rainwater, stormwater, foundation drainage, and A/C condensate. More information on onsite non-potable water reuse.