Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
1503.8 Procedure for Estimating Gray Water Dis-
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
charge. Gray water systems shall be designed to distribute the total amount of estimated gray water on a daily basis. The water discharge for gray water systems shall be determined in accordance with Section 1503.8.1 or Section 1503.8.2.
Exception: It is not the intent of this section to require that all gray water must be handled by an irrigation field or disposal field. It is acceptable for excess gray water to be diverted to the building sewer through a diverter valve or overflow drain as permitted in this chapter.
1503.8.1 Residential Occupancies . The gray water discharge for residential occupancies single family and multi-family dwellings shall be calculated by water use records, calculations of local daily per person interior water use, or the following procedure:
314 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE
ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
(1) The number of occupants of each dwelling unit shall
be calculated as follows:
First bedroom |
2 occupants |
|---|---|
| Each additional bedroom | 1 occupant |
(2) The estimated gray water flows of each occupant shall be calculated as follows:
| Showers, bathtubs, and lavatories |
25 gallons (95 L) per day/occupant |
|---|---|
Laundry |
15 gallons (57 L) per day/occupant |
(3) The total number of occupants shall be multiplied by the applicable estimated gray water discharge as provided above and the type of fixtures connected to the gray water system.
1503.8.2 Commercial, Industrial, and Institu- tional Occupancies. The Authority Having Jurisdic- tion may utilize the gray water discharge procedures listed below, water use records or other documentation to estimate gray water discharge.
1503.8.2.1 Lavatories. Daily discharge from lava- tories may be determined by the following equation:
(Equation 15.1)
Occupants X lavatory flow rate X 3
Where:
The number of occupants = square footage of the building divided by the occupant load factor from the California Plumbing Code Chapter 4, Table 4-1.
Lavatory fixture flow rate, new construction = That from the California Green Building Standards (CAL- Green) Code Section 5.303.3.4
Lavatory fixture flow rate, existing fixtures = Actual flow rate for existing fixtures
3 = Average number of uses per person per day 1503.8.2.2 Showers. Daily gray water discharge from showers may be determined by the following equation:
(Equation 15.2)
Number of daily uses X shower flow rate X 5 minutes 1503.8.2.3 Commercial Clothes Washers. Daily gray water discharge from commercial clothes wash- ers may be determined by the following equation:
(Equation 15.3)
Cubic feet of capacity X Water Factor X 6
Where:
Water Factor = Gallons per cubic foot
6 = Average number of uses per day
Note: Cubic feet of capacity and Water Factor are contained in product specifications or are available from the washer manufacturer.
1503.8.3 Daily Discharge. Gray water systems using tanks shall be designed to minimize the amount of time gray water is held in the tank and shall be sized to dis- tribute the total amount of estimated gray water on a daily basis.
Exception: Approved on-site treated nonpotable gray
water systems.
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
- Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
- Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
- Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
- Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
- Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
- Chapter 9 — VENTS
- Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
- Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
- Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
- Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
- Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
▸Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
Overview- 1501.1 Applicability. [BSC-CG, DWR & HCD 1] The provisions of …
- 1501.2 System Design. [BSC-CG, HCD 1 & DWR]
- 1501.3 Permit. [BSC-CG, HCD 1 & DWR] It shall be
- 1501.4 Component Identification. System components
- 1501.5 Maintenance and Inspection. [BSC-CG, HCD
- 1505.16 .
- 1501.6 Operation and Maintenance Manual. [BSC-
- 1501.7 Minimum Water Quality Requirements. [BSC-
- 1501.8 Material Compatibility. Alternate water source systems …
- 1501.9 Signage. [BSC-CG, HCD 1, HCD 2 & HCD 1-
- 1501.10 System Controls. Controls for pumps, valves, and
- 1502.1 General. Alternate water source systems shall be
- 1502.2 Supply System Inspection and Test. Alternate
- 1502.3 Cross-Connection Inspection and Testing. An
- 1502.4 Separation Requirements. Underground alternate
- 1502.5 Abandonment. Alternate water source systems that
- 1502.6 Sizing. Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, …
- 1503.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply to
- 1503.2 System Requirements. Gray water shall be permitted to b…
- 1503.3 Connections to Potable and Reclaimed (Recy-
- 1503.4 Location. No gray water system or part thereof shall
- 1503.5 Plot Plan Submission. No permit for a gray water
- 1503.6 Prohibited Location. Where there is insufficient
- 1503.7 Drawings and Specifications. The Authority Having Juris…
- 1503.8 Procedure for Estimating Gray Water Dis-
- 1503.9 Gray Water System Components. Gray water
- 1504.1 General. Irrigation or disposal fields shall be permitt…
- 1504.2 Required Area of Subsurface Irrigation
- 1504.3 Determination of Maximum Absorption
- 1504.4 Groundwater Level. No excavation for an irrigation fiel…
- 1504.5 Irrigation, Disposal Field and Mulch Basin
- 1504.6 Reserved.
- 1504.7 Reserved .
- 1504.8 Gray Water System Color and Marking Infor-
- 1504.9 Other Collection and Distribution Systems.
- 1504.10 Testing. Building drains and vents for gray water
- 1504.11 Maintenance. Gray water systems and components shall b…
- 1505.1 General. The provisions of Section 1505.0 through
- 1505.2 Permit. It shall be unlawful for a person to construct,
- 1505.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
- 1505.4 Connections to Potable or Recycled Water
- 1505.5 Water Pressure. Reclaimed (recycled) water systems supp…
- 1505.6 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection
- 1505.7 Recycled Water Supply System Materials.
- 1505.8 Recycled Water Supply System Color and
- 1505.9 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control valves,
- 1505.13 Signage . Signs in rooms and water closet tanks in
- 1505.14 Inspection and Testing. Recycled water supply
- 1505.10 Hose Bibbs. Hose bibbs shall not be allowed on
- 1505.11 Required Appurtenances. The recycled water
- 1505.12 Pipe Separation in Trenches . Reclaimed (recycled) wat…
- 1505.15 Minimum Water Quality Requirements for
- 1505.16 Maintenance and Inspection. Recycled water
- 1506.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply
- 1506.2 Plumbing Plan Submission. No permit for an
- 1506.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
- 1506.4 Connections to Potable or Recycled Water
- 1506.5 Water Pressure. On-site treated non-potable gray
- 1506.11 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control
- 1506.12 Signs. Signs in buildings using on-site treated nonpot…
- 1506.13 Inspection and Testing. On-site treated nonpotable gra…
- 1506.6 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
- 1506.7 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
- 1506.8 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water
- 1506.9 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
- 1506.10 Design and Installation. The design and installation o…
- Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
- Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
- Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
- Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
- Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
- Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
- Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
- Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
- Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
- Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
- Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
- Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
- Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …
- Appendix O — NON-SEWERED SANITATION SYSTEMS
- Appendix P — PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Appendix Q — INDOOR HORTICULTURAL FACILITIES
- Appendix R — TINY HOUSES
- Appendix S — ONSITE STORMWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS