Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
1505.4 Connections to Potable or Recycled Water
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.
Supply Systems. Recycled water supply systems shall have no direct connection to a potable water supply or alternate water source system.
Exceptions:
(1) Potable water is permitted to be used as makeup water for a reclaimed (recycled) water storage tank provided the potable water supply inlet is protected by an air gap in accordance with this code.
(2) A potable water supply may be connected temporarily for initial testing of the recycled water supply system as provided in Section 1505.14.2.2. Prior to temporarily connecting the potable line to the recycled water supply system for the initial cross-connection test purposes, the potable line must have a reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer installed.
(3) Reclaimed (recycled) water is permitted to be used as makeup water for an alternate water source system pro- vided the recycled water supply system is protected by an air gap in accordance with this code.
(4) In order to use potable water as an auxiliary water sup- ply when there is an interruption to the reclaimed (recy- cled) water supply, a changeover device, swivel ell, or other assembly is permitted if the following two condi-
tions are met:
(a) The water user maintains ongoing compliance with State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross-Con-
nection Control Policy Handbook requirements.
(b) The changeover device, swivel ell, or other assembly complies with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook requirements.
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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