Water Code section 13551

(a)

A person or public agency, including a state agency, city, county, city and county, district, or any other political subdivision of the state, shall not use water from any source of quality suitable for potable domestic use for nonpotable uses, including cemeteries, golf courses, parks, highway landscaped areas, and industrial and irrigation uses if suitable recycled water is available as provided in Section 13550.

(b)

Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any use of recycled water in lieu of water suitable for potable domestic use shall, to the extent of the recycled water so used, be deemed to constitute a reasonable beneficial use of that water and the use of recycled water shall not cause any loss or diminution of any existing water right.

(c)

Incidental amounts of spray, mist, or runoff shall be permitted to enter outdoor eating areas of parks and open spaces when irrigated with disinfected tertiary treated recycled water that complies with Section 493.4 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.

Source: Section 13551, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=WAT§ionNum=13551.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2026; accessed Dec. 22, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 22, 2025

§ 13551's source at ca​.gov