Summary of California water recycling criteria (summarized from Table R.3b.1 of the Metropolitan Council Stormwater Reuse Manual)
Link to this table

Type of Use Total Coliform Limits (daily sampling is required) Treatment Required Comment (in relation to MIDS)
Irrigation of fodder, fiber, and seed crops; orchards/vineyardsa; processed food cropsb, non-food bearing trees; ornamental nursery stock/sod farmsc No Limits Established Oxidation Most likely applies to non-food bearing trees; ornamental nursery stock/sod farms with restricted access
Irrigation of pasture for miling animals, landscape areas (controlled access); ornamental nursery stock and sod farms where public access not restricted); landscape impoundments
  • ≤23/100mL (running 7-day median)
  • ≤240/100mL (in no more than one sample in any 30-day period)
Oxidation Disinfection This includes Cemeteries, freeway landscaping, restricted access golf courses, and other controlled access areas
Irrigation of food cropsa
  • ≤2.2/100mL (running 7-day median)
  • ≤23/100mL (in no more than one sample in any 30-day period)
Oxidation Disinfection
Irrigation of food cropsd; Open access landscape areas; Decorative fountains
  • ≤2.2/100mL (running 7-day median)
  • ≤23/100mL (in no more than one sample in any 30-day period)
  • 240/100mL (maximum)
Oxidation Coagulatione Filtratione Disinfection This includes parks, playgrounds, schoolyards, residential landscaping, unrestricted access golf courses, and other uncontrolled access areas; This may also apply to scenarios such as community gardens, etc.

a No contact between reclaimed water and edible portion of crop
b Food crops that undergo commercial pathogen destruction
c No irrigation 14 days prior to harvesting, sale, or allowing public access
d Contact between water and edible portion of crop including edible roots
e Related to turbidity – See Metropolitan Council Reuse Manual for specific details

This page was last edited on 3 August 2022, at 20:14.