Section 116551.

The department shall not issue a permit to a public water system or amend a valid existing permit for the use of a reservoir as a source of supply that is directly augmented with recycled water, as defined in subdivision (n) of Section 13050 of the Water Code, unless the department does all of the following:

(a)  Performs an engineering evaluation that evaluates the proposed treatment technology and finds that the proposed technology will ensure that the recycled water meets or exceeds all applicable primary and secondary drinking water standards and poses no significant threat to public health.

(b)  Holds at least three duly noticed public hearings in the area where the recycled water is proposed to be used or supplied for human consumption to receive public testimony on that proposed use. The department shall make available to the public, not less than 10 days prior to the date of the first hearing held pursuant to this subdivision, the evaluations and findings made pursuant to subdivision (a).

(Added by Stats. 1998, Ch. 295, Sec. 1. Effective August 17, 1998.)