CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) – State law that requires state, local, and other agencies to evaluate the environmental implications of their actions.
CTR (California Toxics Rule) – Federal regulation setting water quality criteria (limits) for heavy metals and other toxic compounds for the protection of beneficial uses of surface waters in California.
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) – A report required by the California Environmental Quality Act to describe the environmental impact of a proposed project.
EIR Certification – EIR adoption by a governing agency accepting the document as being complete and adequate according to the California Environmental Quality Act.
Graywater – Water that has been used for showering, bathing, clothes washing, and faucet uses. Water from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, photolab sinks, toilets, and laundry soiled from diapers is excluded.
Groundwater – Naturally occurring source of water found beneath the ground surface.
Infrastructure – Physical structures that form the foundation for development. Infrastructure includes: wastewater and water works, electric power, communications, transit and transportation facilities, and oil and gas pipelines and associated facilities.
MG – Million gallons MGD; million gallons per day
Master Plan – A comprehensive plan to guide the long-term physical development of a particular area.
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit) – Controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States.
Reclamation – The operation or process of changing the condition or characteristics of wastewater so that additional uses of the water can be achieved.
Recycled Water – The California Water Code defines recycled water as "water which, as a result of treatment of waste, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur." Regulations allow water managers to match water quality to specific reuse applications. This reduces the amount of fresh water required for non-potable uses, ensuring that the best and purest sources of water will be reserved for public drinking water.
San Francisco Bay RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board) – Regulating agency for water quality issues in the Bay Area.
Tertiary Treatment – Removes specific contaminants to meet California’s standard for unrestricted use of recycled water. Usually the process occurs after secondary and primary treatments.
Title 22 – The California Department of Health Services establishes water and treatment reliability criteria for water recycling under Title 22, Chapter 4, of the California Code of Regulations.
Wastewater – The used water and solids that flow to a treatment plant. Storm water, surface water and groundwater infiltration also may be included in the wastewater that enters a plant.
