Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
1504.3 Determination of Maximum Absorption Capac-
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
ity. The irrigation field and mulch basin size shall be based on the maximum absorption capacity of the soil and determined using Table 1504.2. For soils not listed in Table 1504.2, the maximum absorption capacity for the proposed site shall be determined by percolation tests or another method acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction. A gray water system shall not be permitted, where the percolation test shows the absorption capacity of the soil is unable to accommodate the maximum discharge of the proposed gray water irrigation system. Exceptions: (1) The Enforcing Agency may waive the requirement for iden-
tification of groundwater level and/or soil absorption qual-
| TYPE OF SOIL | MAXIMUM EMITTER DISCHARGE (gallons per day) |
MINIMUM NUMBER OF EMITTERS PER GAL- LON OF ESTIMATED GRAY WATER DISCHARGE PER DAY* (gallons per day) |
|---|---|---|
- The estimated gray water discharge per day shall be determined in accordance with Section 1503.8 of this code.
(1) The Enforcing Agency may waive the requirement for iden-
tification of groundwater level and/or soil absorption qual- ities based on knowledge of local conditions. (2) Irrigation fields in compliance with Section 1504.5 which
only utilize drip type emitters are exempt from percola-
(2) Irrigation fields in compliance with Section 1504.5 which
only utilize drip type emitters are exempt from percola- tion tests.
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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- 1501.0 General.1501.1 Applicability [BSC-CG, DWR & HCD 1]. The
- 1501.2 System Design. Alternate water source systems
- 1501.3 Permit [BSC-CG, HCD 1, DWR]. It shall be unlawful for a…
- 1501.4 Component Identification. System components
- 1501.5 Maintenance and Inspection 1, DWR]. Alternate water sou…
- 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-AC, &DWR]. Signage…
- 1501.10 System Controls. Controls for pumps, valves, and
- 1501.11 Hose Bibbs for Single-Family Dwellings [HCD1]. Hose bi…
- 1502.2 Supply System Inspection and Test. Alternate
- 1502.3 Cross-Connection Inspection and Testing. An
- 1502.6 Sizing. Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, …
- 1503.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply
- 1502.4 Separation Requirements. Underground alternate
- 1502.5 Abandonment. Alternate water source systems that
- 1503.2 System Requirements. Gray water shall be permitted to b…
- 1503.3 Connections to Potable and Reclaimed(Recycled) Water Sy…
- 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
- 1503.9 Gray Water System Components. Gray water
- 1504.2 Required Area of Subsurface Irrigation
- 1504.3 Determination of Maximum Absorption Capac-
- 1504.4 Groundwater Level. No excavation for an irrigation fiel…
- 1504.5 Irrigation, Disposal Field and Mulch Basin Con-structio…
- 1504.6 Reserved.
- 1504.7 Reserved.
- 1504.8 Gray Water System Color and Marking Infor-mation. Press…
- 1504.9 Other Collection and Distribution Systems. Other collec…
- 1504.10 Testing. Building drains and vents for gray water
- 1504.11 Maintenance. Gray water systems and components shall b…
- 1505.0 Recycled Water 1505.1 General. The provisions of Supply…
- 1505.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
- 1505.4 Connections to Potable or Reclaimed (Recy-cled) Water S…
- 1505.2 Permit. It shall be unlawful for a person to construct,
- 1505.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
- 1505.6 Recycled Water Recycled water supply system materials s…
- 1505.8 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control valves,
- 1505.9 Hose Bibbs. Hose bibbs shall not be allowed on
- 1505.10 Required Appurtenances. The recycled water
- 1505.11 Pipe Separation in Trenches. Reclaimed (recycled) wate…
- 1505.12 Signage. Signs in rooms and water closet tanks in
- 1505.13 Inspection and Testing. Recycled water supply
- 1505.15 Maintenance and Inspection. Recycled water
- 1506.0 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
- 1506.2 Plumbing Plan Submission. No permit for an
- 1506.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
- 1506.4 Connections to Potable or Reclaimed (Recy-
- 1506.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
- 1506.6 On-Site Treated Nonpotable tem Materials. On-site treat…
- 1506.7 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Devices and Systems. Devices…
- 1506.9 Design and Installation. The design and installation of…
- 1506.10 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control
- 1506.11 Signs. Signs in buildings using on-site treated nonpot…
- 1506.12 Inspection and Testing. On-site treated nonpotable gra…
- 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 STANDARD FOR PEX TUBING SYSTEMS FOR …
- 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