Sacramento County, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SCC Ch. 6.30, Cross-Connection Control
- AG required
- public water supplements recycled system
- RP required
- no interconnection with potable system
- Testing frequency
- at installation and annually
- Enforcing agency
- Environmental Management Department (EMD)
Summary
Sacramento County requires backflow protection on recycled water distribution systems: an air-gap separation where public water supplements the recycled system, or a reduced-pressure assembly where recycled water has no potable interconnection.
38. Recycled Water Distribution Systems.
a. Premises where the public water system is used to supplement the recycled water system - AG,
b. Premises where recycled water is used and there is no interconnection with the potable water system - RP;
39. Restricted, classified, or other closed facilities - RP;
40. Rubber manufacturing plants - Natural or synthetic - RP;
41. Sand and gravel plants - RP;
42. Sanitariums - RP;
43. Schools, colleges, and universities - RP;
44. Sewage treatment processes, handling, and/or pumping equipment interconnected to a piping system that can be connected to the public water system - AG;
45. Solar heating systems.
a. Solar collector system which contains any hazardous substance and where there is a direct makeup connection to the public water system - RP,
b. Service connection protection is not required for "once through" solar heating systems including, but not limited to, domestic hot water systems;
46. Tank trucks - AG (see "Portable spray" and "Cleaning equipment" above);
47. Vehicle washing facilities - RP;
48. Veterinary clinics - RP;
49. Waterfront facilities and industries - Including, but not limited to, docks, fisheries, fish hatcheries, and marinas - RP. (SCC 1456 § 2, 2010; SCC 1739, 9/24/2024)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Under Sacramento County's cross-connection control program (Chapter 6.30), recycled water distribution systems are a listed hazard class requiring backflow protection at the service connection. Premises where the public water system supplements a recycled water system must install an air-gap separation (AG). Premises using recycled water with no interconnection to the potable system must install a reduced-pressure principle backflow assembly (RP). The Environmental Management Department (EMD) sets these minimums, and every assembly must be tested at installation and at least annually by an EMD-registered certified backflow tester.
Violations & Fines
EMD can issue a notice of violation for a missing, defective, or untested backflow assembly; continued noncompliance may bring administrative civil penalties or criminal penalties under § 6.30.170.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sacramento County regulate recycled water backflow protection?
Who enforces recycled water backflow rules in Sacramento County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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