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Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS

1505.13 Inspection and Testing. Recycled water supply

California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5) · 2022 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with Section 1505.13.1 and Section 1505.13.2. The reclaimed (recy- cled) water purveyor or other designated appointee may substitute for the Authority Having Jurisdiction for the pur- pose of inspections and tests pursuant to this section .

1505.13.1 Supply System Inspection and Test. Recycled water supply systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with this code for testing of potable water piping. 1505.13.2 Cross-Connection Inspection and Test- ing. An initial visual inspection and an initial cross-con- nection test shall be performed on both the potable and recycled water supply systems before the initial operation of the recycled water supply system. During an initial or subsequent cross-connection test, the potable water sys- tem and recycled water supply system shall be isolated from each other and independently inspected and tested to ensure there is no cross-connection in accordance with Section 1505.13.2.2. Initial or subsequent inspections or tests shall be performed in accordance with Section 1505.13.2.1 through Section 1505.13.2.4. The inspection and testing shall be performed by a cross-connection con- trol specialist who has valid certification from a certify- ing organization recognized by the State Water Resources Control Board. (1) Written reports of cross-connection inspections and

testing shall be performed as provided in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 60316. (2) A cross-connection test pursuant to Section

1505.13.2.2 shall be performed on the premises of a recycled water supply system when there is material reason to believe that the potable water system or recycled water supply system separation from

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ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS

another water supply has been compromised. A material reason to believe that the system has been compromised may be based on, but is not limited to, evidence gathered (a) during a visual inspection performed pursuant to Section 1505.13.2.1, (b) as a result of an inspection performed following com- plaints of water quality or flow conditions consis- tent with a compromised system, or (c) during a visual inspection that indicates that the recycled water supply system has been modified. 1505.13.2.1 Visual System Inspection. A visual dual system inspection shall be conducted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction and other authorities having jurisdiction to verify that no modifications were made, and that no cross-connections are visi- ble as follows: (1) Meter locations of the reclaimed (recycled) water

source and potable water lines shall be checked. (2) All pumps and equipment, equipment room

signs, and exposed piping in equipment room shall be checked. (3) All valves shall be checked to ensure that the

valve lock seals are still in place and intact. Valve control door signs shall be checked to verify that no signs have been removed. 1505.13.2.2 Cross-Connection Test. A cross- connection test shall be performed pursuant to Sec- tion 1505.13.2. The test shall be conducted in the presence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction or other authorities having jurisdiction to determine whether a cross connection has occurred as follows: (1) The potable water system shall be activated and

pressurized. The recycled water supply system shall be shut down, depressurized, and drained. (2) The potable water system shall remain pressur-

ized for a minimum period of time specified by the Authority Having Jurisdiction while the recycled water supply system is empty. The min- imum period the recycled water supply system is to remain depressurized shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the size and complexity of the potable and the recy- cled water supply systems, but in no case shall that period be less than 1 hour. (3) All fixtures, potable and reclaimed (recycled)

water source, shall be tested and inspected for flow. Flow from a recycled water supply system outlet indicates a cross-connection. No flow from a potable water outlet shall indicate that it is connected to the recycled water supply system. (4) The drain on the recycled water supply system

shall be checked for flow during the test and at the end of the test. (5) The potable water system shall then be depres-

surized and drained. (6) The recycled water supply system shall then be

activated and pressurized. For the initial cross-

connection test, a temporary connection to a potable water supply shall be required to test the recycled water supply system plumbing. At the conclusion of the initial cross-connection test, the temporary connection to the potable water supply shall be disconnected. (7) The recycled water supply system shall remain

pressurized for a minimum period of time spec- ified by the Authority Having Jurisdiction while the potable water system is empty. The mini- mum period the potable water system is to remain depressurized shall be determined on a case-by-case basis, but in no case shall that period be less than 1 hour. (8) All fixtures, potable and reclaimed (recycled)

water, shall be tested and inspected for flow. Flow from a potable water system outlet indi- cates a cross-connection. No flow from a recy- cled water supply system outlet will indicate that it is connected to the potable water system. (9) The drain on the potable water system shall be

checked for flow during the test and at the end of the test. (10)Where there is no flow detected in the fixtures

that would indicate a cross-connection, the potable water system shall be repressurized. Where shutting off the water is not practical for res- idential, institutional, or industrial buildings, the Authority Having Jurisdiction may authorize testing procedures other than those described above. 1505.13.2.3 Discovery of Cross-Connection. In the event that a cross-connection is discovered, the following procedure shall be activated immedi- ately: (1) Notify the Authority Having Jurisdiction of the

cross-connection. (2) The reclaimed (recycled) water piping to the

building and its premises shall be shut down at the meter, and the reclaimed (recycled) water riser shall be drained. (3) Potable water piping to the building and its

premises shall be shut down at the meter. (4) The cross-connection shall be uncovered and

disconnected. (5) The building and its premises shall be retested

in accordance with Section 1505.13.2.1 and Section 1505.13.2.2. (6) The potable water system shall be chlorinated

with 50 parts-per-million (ppm) chlorine for 24 hours. (7) The potable water system shall be flushed after

24 hours, and a standard bacteriological test shall be performed. Where test results are acceptable, the potable water system shall be permitted to be recharged. 1505.13.2.4 Periodic Inspection. Periodic visual inspections of recycled water supply systems

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ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS

TABLE 1505.15 MINIMUM RECLAIMED (RECYCLED) WATER SOURCE TESTING, INSPECTION, AND MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY

DESCRIPTION MINIMUM FREQUENCY*
_Inspect and clean filters and screens, and replace (where necessary). _ Every 3 months.
Inspect pumps and verify operation. After initial installation and every 12 months thereafter.
Inspect valves and verify operation. After initial installation and every 12 months thereafter.
Inspect pressure tanks and verify operation. After initial installation and every 12 months thereafter.
Clear debris from and inspect storage tanks, locking devices, and
verify operation.
After initial installation and every 12 months thereafter.
Inspect caution labels and marking. After initial installation and every 12 months thereafter.

* Note: Frequency is as described in this table, or more frequently as required by manufacturer’s instructions and/or the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

shall be required by the recycled water supplier or designee following the procedures in Section 1505.13.2.1. Pursuant to California Code of Regu- lations, Title 22, Section 60316, annual visual inspections shall be required for recycled water sup- ply systems that are within or a part of a building.

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Contents — California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5)
  1. Chapter 1 — GENERAL CODE PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  4. Chapter 4 — PLUMBING FIXTURES AND FIXTURE FITTINGS
  5. Chapter 5 — WATER HEATERS
  6. Chapter 6 — WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION
  7. Chapter 7 — SANITARY DRAINAGE
  8. Chapter 8 — INDIRECT WASTES
  9. Chapter 9 — VENTS
  10. Chapter 10 — TRAPS AND INTERCEPTORS
  11. Chapter 11 — STORM DRAINAGE
  12. Chapter 12 — FUEL GAS PIPING
  13. Chapter 13 — HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND MEDICAL GAS AND MEDICA…
  14. Chapter 14 — FIRESTOP PROTECTION
  15. Chapter 15 — ALTERNATE WATER SOURCES FOR NONPOTABLE APPLICATIONS
    Overview
    1. 1501.1 Applicability [BSC-CG, DWR & HCD 1] . The
    2. 1501.2 System Design. Alternate water source systems
    3. 1501.3 Permit [BSC-CG, HCD 1, DWR] . It shall be unlawful for …
    4. 1501.4 Component Identification. System components
    5. 1501.5 Maintenance and Inspection [BSC-CG, HCD
    6. 1501.6 Operation and Maintenance Manual [BSC-CG,
    7. 1501.7 Minimum Water Quality Requirements [BSC-
    8. 1501.8 Material Compatibility. Alternate water source systems …
    9. 1501.9 Signage [BSC-CG, HCD 1, HCD 2, HCD 1-AC].
    10. 1501.10 System Controls. Controls for pumps, valves, and
    11. 1502.1 General. Alternate water source systems shall be
    12. 1502.2 Supply System Inspection and Test. Alternate
    13. 1502.3 Cross-Connection Inspection and Testing. An
    14. 1502.4 Separation Requirements. Underground alternate water so…
    15. 1502.5 Abandonment. Alternate water source systems that
    16. 1502.6 Sizing. Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, …
    17. 1503.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply
    18. 1503.2 System Requirements. Gray water shall be permitted to b…
    19. 1503.3 Connections to Potable and Reclaimed (Recy-
    20. 1503.4 Location. No gray water system or part thereof shall
    21. 1503.5 Plot Plan Submission. No permit for a gray water
    22. 1503.6 Prohibited Location. Where there is insufficient
    23. 1503.7 Drawings and Specifications. The Authority
    24. 1503.8 Procedure for Estimating Gray Water Dis-
    25. 1503.9 Gray Water System Components. Gray water
    26. 1504.1 General. Irrigation or disposal fields shall be permitt…
    27. 1504.3 Determination of Maximum Absorption
    28. 1504.4 Groundwater Level. No excavation for an irrigation fiel…
    29. 1504.2 Required Area of Subsurface Irrigation
    30. 1504.5 Irrigation, Disposal Field and Mulch Basin Con-
    31. 1504.6 Reserved.
    32. 1504.7 Reserved .
    33. 1504.8 Gray Water System Color and Marking Infor-
    34. 1504.9 Other Collection and Distribution Systems.
    35. 1504.10 Testing. Building drains and vents for gray water
    36. 1504.11 Maintenance. Gray water systems and components shall b…
    37. 1505.1 General. The provisions of Section 1505.0 through
    38. 1505.2 Permit. It shall be unlawful for a person to construct,
    39. 1505.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
    40. 1505.4 Connections to Potable or Recycled Water
    41. 1505.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
    42. 1505.6 Recycled Water Supply System Materials.
    43. 1505.7 Recycled Water Supply System Color and
    44. 1505.8 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control valves,
    45. 1505.9 Hose Bibbs. Hose bibbs shall not be allowed on
    46. 1505.10 Required Appurtenances. The recycled water
    47. 1505.11 Pipe Separation in Trenches . Reclaimed (recycled) wat…
    48. 1505.12 Signage . Signs in rooms and water closet tanks in
    49. 1505.13 Inspection and Testing. Recycled water supply
    50. 1505.14 Minimum Water Quality Requirements for
    51. 1505.15 Maintenance and Inspection. Recycled water
    52. 1506.1 General. The provisions of this section shall apply
    53. 1506.2 Plumbing Plan Submission. No permit for an
    54. 1506.3 System Changes. No changes or connections shall
    55. 1506.4 Connections to Potable or Recycled Water
    56. 1506.5 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
    57. 1506.6 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
    58. 1506.7 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water
    59. 1506.8 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
    60. 1506.9 Design and Installation. The design and installation of…
    61. 1506.10 Valves. Valves, except fixture supply control
    62. 1506.11 Signs. Signs in buildings using on-site treated nonpot…
    63. 1506.12 Inspection and Testing. On-site treated nonpotable gra…
  16. Chapter 16 — NONPOTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  17. Chapter 17 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  18. Appendix A — RECOMMENDED RULES FOR SIZING THE WATER SUPPLY SYS…
  19. Appendix B — EXPLANATORY NOTES ON COMBINATION WASTE AND VENT S…
  20. Appendix C — ALTERNATE PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  21. Appendix D — SIZING STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
  22. Appendix E — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARKS AND RECREATIONAL V…
  23. Appendix F — FIREFIGHTER BREATHING AIR REPLENISHMENT SYSTEMS
  24. Appendix G — SIZING OF VENTING SYSTEMS
  25. Appendix H — PRIVATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS
  26. Appendix I — INSTALLATION STANDARDS
  27. Appendix J — COMBINATION OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR COMBUSTION AND …
  28. Appendix K — POTABLE RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS
  29. Appendix L — SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
  30. Appendix M — PEAK WATER DEMAND CALCULATOR
  31. Appendix N — IMPACT OF WATER TEMPERATURE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR …

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