Contra Costa County Municipal Code Ch. 82-30 Dual Water Systems

The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for county cooperation with public water and wastewater agencies within the county's unincorporated area in the development of projects to incorporate dual water systems whenever feasible and consistent with applicable legal, public health, safety and environmental requirements.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Should any provisions of this chapter conflict with those of Chapter 414-4, the provisions of Chapter 414-4 shall prevail.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

It is the policy of the county where appropriate to plan and design facilities for its owned new properties and major property improvements to accommodate dual water systems in accordance with this chapter.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Article 82-30.4. Definitions

As used in this chapter, "dual water system" means two separate and unconnected water distribution systems servicing the same parcel(s). One system conveys water suitable for all potable and nonpotable uses. One system conveys water suitable for appropriate and approved nonpotable uses. Possible examples of appropriate nonpotable uses in approved circumstances are agricultural irrigation, landscape irrigation, landscape impoundments, industrial process water and construction water.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

As used in this chapter, "potable water" means water which conforms to federal, state and local agency standards for human consumptions.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

As used in this chapter, "nonpotable water" means water that is not potable. Some examples are untreated surface and groundwaters and recycled water.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

As used in this chapter, "dual water system areas" means precise geographic areas designated by the local water or wastewater public agency having jurisdiction to provide and/or control water service as having a dependable supply of nonpotable water available or where the feasibility of distributing a nonpotable water supply has been determined and dual water systems are required by the involved agency.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

As used in this chapter, "recycled water" means water which, as a result of treatment of wastewater, meets all applicable requirements established by the state regional water quality control board having jurisdiction and regulating the use of recycled water and is suitable for appropriate and approved nonpotable uses.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Article 82-30.6. Designated Dual Water System Areas

Certain areas may be designated by the local water or wastewater public agency having jurisdiction as Section 82-30.408 "dual water system areas." In such areas, the involved agency has or may require installation of separate dedicated meter(s) and systems for use of nonpotable water for appropriate and approved uses at the time of service or in the future. Upon receipt of any board of supervisors' request, the involved agency shall consider the establishment of any proposed dual water system area.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Within sixty days of the designation of a "dual water system area(s)" by the involved local water or wastewater agency having jurisdiction, a precise geographic boundary description(s) and map(s) thereof for the area(s) shall be filed with the county's community development department.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Existing consumers or others within "dual water system areas" who received water service prior to the agency's designation of said area, may at the discretion of the local water or wastewater public agency having jurisdiction, be connected to the nonpotable water system in accordance with the agency applicable regulations.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Article 82-30.8. Development Applications

All development entitlement applications filed with the community development department for projects which are: in a dual water system area; or greater than fifteen acres; or greater than one hundred twenty thousand square feet in floor space; or a portion of an area of aggregate development potential greater than fifteen acres or one hundred twenty thousand square feet in floor space shall be referred to the local water or wastewater agency having jurisdiction for determination and designation by the involved agency's of its requirements for dual water systems. As soon as it may be reasonably done after the community development department received a development entitlement application (but in no event more than fifteen days after an application is determined or deemed complete), the department shall refer the application pursuant to this section to the involved local agency.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

The planning agency shall not approve a development entitlement application subject to this article's provisions until written notification of all requirements imposed and required by the involved local water or wastewater agency for dual water systems are received, reviewed and considered for inclusion in any approval of the pending application. If the involved local water or wastewater agency does not provide its written notification within thirty days of the referral date, the planning agency may take action to approve the involved pending application. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the planning agency may take action at any time and approve a pending application if within the next thirty days the said application may be deemed approved or otherwise decided by operation of law.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).

Article 82-30.10. Exemption

Development entitlement applications on file with the community development department on or before May 8, 1991 are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 91-19 § 2).