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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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
- 1501.2 System Design. Alternate water source systems
- 1501.3 Permit [BSC-CG, HCD 1, DWR] . It shall be unlawful for …
- 1501.4 Component Identification. System components
- 1501.5 Maintenance and Inspection [BSC-CG, HCD
- 1501.6 Operation and Maintenance Manual [BSC-CG,
- 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].
- 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 water so…
- 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
- 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
- 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…
- 1504.3 Determination of Maximum Absorption
- 1504.4 Groundwater Level. No excavation for an irrigation fiel…
- 1504.2 Required Area of Subsurface Irrigation
- 1504.5 Irrigation, Disposal Field and Mulch Basin Con-
- 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 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
- 1505.6 Recycled Water Supply System Materials.
- 1505.7 Recycled Water Supply System Color and
- 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) wat…
- 1505.12 Signage . Signs in rooms and water closet tanks in
- 1505.13 Inspection and Testing. Recycled water supply
- 1505.14 Minimum Water Quality Requirements for
- 1505.15 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 Initial Cross-Connection Test. A cross-connection test …
- 1506.6 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
- 1506.7 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water
- 1506.8 On-Site Treated Nonpotable Gray Water Sys-
- 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 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 …