Ontario Municipal Code Art. 1 General Provisions

Recycled water use is regulated by the California State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) and the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region (RWQCB). In accordance with waste discharge requirements for water reclamation projects, the RWQCB requires control mechanisms to regulate facilities distributing recycled water. The California Legislature has established a state policy encouraging the use of recycled water (California Water Code, Section 13510). Permission to use recycled water is based on Inland Empire Utilities Agency's ability to treat domestic wastewater in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Recycling Criteria under Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations. These regulations were adopted to ensure proper health protection and specify the treatment degree to meet the needs of the intended applications.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures, specifications, and limitations for the safe use and operation of recycled water facilities and systems within the City's service area, and adopt rules and regulations controlling such use and operation.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

The goals of this chapter are as follows:

(a) Achieve conservation of potable water supplies by using recycled water for current and future demands. Recycled water uses may include:

(1) Agricultural irrigation.

(2) Commercial uses (including flushing toilets and urinals).

(3) Construction use.

(4) Industrial processes.

(5) Landscape irrigation.

(6) Landscape and/or recreational impoundments.

(7) Wildlife habitat.

(8) Groundwater recharge, as approved by the State Board and RWQCB.

(b) Maintain recycled water quality through a stringent pretreatment program for industrial wastewater.

(c) Prevent direct human consumption of recycled water through:

(1) Adherence to all applicable rules and regulations.

(2) Posting of warning signs by the user.

(3) Cross-connection/backflow prevention program.

(d) Control runoff of recycled water through monitoring of the installation and operation of all recycled water facilities and use areas.

(e) Monitor recycled water quality.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

It is the policy of the City that recycled water be used for any and all purposes approved by state regulations for recycled water use. Recycled water shall be the primary source of supply for commercial and industrial uses, whenever available and/or feasible. Use of potable water for commercial and industrial uses shall be contrary to City policy, shall not be considered the most beneficial use of a natural resource, and shall be avoided to the maximum extent feasible. If the City determines that recycled water service is feasible under §§ 6-8.710 and 6-8.711, the applicant, owner, or user will be required to use recycled water service.

(a) The people of the State of California have a primary interest in the development of facilities to recycle water containing waste to supplement existing surface and underground water supplies and to assist in meeting the future water requirements of the state (California Water Code, Section 13510). Conservation of all available water resources requires the maximum reuse of recycled water for beneficial uses of water (California Water Code, Section 461). The State of California has declared that use of potable water for non-potable uses may be a waste or an unreasonable use where recycled water is available (California Government Code, Section 65602(e); California Water Code, Section 13550).

(b) It is the policy of the City that recycled water shall be used within the jurisdiction of the City whenever and wherever:

(1) There is not an alternative higher or better use for the recycled water; and

(2) Such use is consistent with legal requirements, preservation of public health, safety and welfare of the public, and protection of the environment.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

Connection to the City's recycled water system shall be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as infrastructure and recycled water are available.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

Except as otherwise provided herein, the City Manager shall administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of this chapter. The City Manager may, at his or her discretion, delegate any or all of these powers and duties.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

Other guidelines, rules and regulations, ordinances, and specifications that may be applied by the Administrator to govern the use of recycled water within the City include:

(a) Rules and regulations that deal with backflow prevention, billing, deposits, penalties, delinquencies, and metering for potable water as established in Chapters 8A, 8C, 8D, and 8E of Title 6 of the Municipal Code.

(b) Regional Recycled Water Distribution System Ordinance (Ordinance No. 69, Inland Empire Utilities Agency).

(c) Water Reclamation (Title 22, Division 4 of the California Code of Regulations).

(d) State Water Board’s Cross-Connection Control Policy Handbook (adopted December 19, 2023).

(e) Guidelines for Distribution of Non- Potable Water (California-Nevada Section AWWA).

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter establishing rules and regulations for the use of recycled water is for any reason found to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter.

(§ 1, Ord. 2689, eff. June 17, 1999, as amended by § 2, Ord. 3197, eff. January 7, 2022, § 3, Ord. 3297, eff. March 18, 2025)