Porterville, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Sec. 25-32A.16, part of the water efficient landscape ordinance adopted by Ord. 1830 on November 17, 2015, requires the installation of recycled water irrigation systems to allow for both current and future use of recycled water, meaning qualifying projects must be plumbed to accept it even before a recycled line reaches the site. Those systems must be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state law. Landscapes actually irrigated with recycled water are then classified as special landscape areas, and Sec. 25-32A.16 caps the ET adjustment factor for both new and existing, nonrehabilitated special landscape areas at 1.0, meaning recycled-water plantings get the full applied water allowance rather than the tighter budget potable-water turf and beds must meet.

The same water budget treatment is repeated in the ordinance's MAWA definition, which applies the 1.0 ET adjustment factor ceiling to special landscape areas, including those irrigated with recycled water. Elsewhere in the design plan requirements, decorative water features must draw on recycled water as a source where it is available. Community Development reviews recycled water plumbing and water budget calculations as part of the landscape documentation package before issuing a certificate of completion.