The governor of California, Jerry Brown, signed legislation on 8 October 2013 designed to accelerate direct potable reuse throughout the US state.
SB 322 requires the state Department of Public Health, in consultation with the Water Resources Control Board, to investigate the feasibility of developing uniform water reuse criteria for direct potable reuse by September 2016.
In a note accompanying the signing, the governor said, “In an effort to enhance the use of recycled water, I have proposed the consolidation of the management of the drinking-water program and all other water-quality programs, including recycled water, under the State Water Board.”
“The 3-year timeframe mandated in this bill is too slow,” Brown added. “California needs more high quality water and recycling is key to getting there.”