(A) Existing water service.
(1) Preliminary determination. Based upon the Master Plan, and in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 13.28.040(C), upon the designation of each reclaimed water service area or the commencement of the design of new reclaimed water facilities, the city shall make preliminary determinations as to which existing potable water customers it is or may be appropriate to fully or partially convert to reclaimed water use for irrigation of greenbelt areas, agricultural purposes, filling of artificial lakes, commercial purposes, industrial purposes or other uses identified in the Master Plan. Water customers may be notified of the basis for the city’s determination that conversion to reclaimed water service is appropriate, as well as the proposed conditions and schedule for the proposed conversion, and any incentives provided for such conversion. Mandatory partial or full conversion of existing customers to mandatory reclaimed water use may be required only as allowed or required by law.
(2) Notice. The notice of the preliminary determination described in subsection (A)(1), including the proposed conditions and time schedule for conversion and a reclaimed water permit application, shall be sent to the water customer by certified mail.
(3) Application for reclaimed water permit by existing customers. If a customer would like to participate in the city reclaimed water program, he/she/it must submit an application for a reclaimed water permit to the city for review, along with any required application fee. The city shall then review the application for completeness and contact the customer regarding the potential provision of service and reclaimed water permit conditions. The permit and application shall conform with the requirements of subsections (C)(1) through (3) set forth below. If the water customer and the city cannot agree on terms for the provision of reclaimed water service, or if the city determines that reclaimed water is not available for the proposed use, the city may, in its sole and absolute discretion, refuse to provide such service.
(B) New development and remodeling.
(1) Conditions. As set forth in Cal. Gov't Code § 65605, upon application by a developer or owner of new industrial, commercial or residential subdivisions (herein referred to as "applicant") for a discretionary approval for development, City of Corona staff shall review the Master Plan and make a preliminary determination whether the current or proposed use of the subject property is required, in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 13.28.040(C) to be served with reclaimed water and/or to include facilities designed to accommodate the use of reclaimed water in the future. Based upon such determination, use of reclaimed water and construction of reclaimed water distribution systems or other facilities within the new development for the use of reclaimed water and application for a permit for such use may be required as conditions of approval of any such development application, in addition to any other conditions of the alteration or remodeling. The provisions of this subdivision shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the requirements of division (H) regarding reclaimed water.
(2) Alterations and remodeling. Upon application for a permit for major alteration or remodeling of multi-family, commercial or industrial structures (including, for example, hotels) which substantially increase a facility's area, volume or size, City of Corona staff shall review the Master Plan and make a preliminary determination whether the landscaping for (or the irrigation requirements of) the subject property shall be required to be served with reclaimed water and/or to include facilities designed to accommodate the use of reclaimed water for landscaping in the future. Based upon such determination, use of reclaimed water and construction of reclaimed water distribution systems or other facilities for the use of reclaimed water and an application for a permit for such use may be required as a condition of approval of the application.
(3) Notice of determination. A notice of the basis for the preliminary determination made pursuant to divisions (B)(1) or (B)(2), proposed conditions of approval and a schedule for compliance shall be provided to the applicant prior to approval of the development application.
(C) Reclaimed water permit process. Upon a final determination by the City of Corona that a property shall be served with reclaimed water, or upon adoption of a condition of development approval requiring use or accommodation of the use of reclaimed water, the water customer, owner or applicant shall obtain a recycled water permit.
(1) Permit conditions. The reclaimed water permit shall specify the design and operational requirements of the applicant’s water distribution facilities and schedule for compliance based on the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to § 13.28.040(C) and shall require compliance with both the California Department of Health Services Wastewater Reclamation Criteria (see Cal. Code of Regulations Title 22) and the requirements of the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
(2) Plan approval. Plans for the reclaimed and non-reclaimed water distribution systems of the parcel shall be reviewed by the City of Corona and a field inspection conducted by the city before the permit is granted.
(3) Permit issuance. Upon approval of the plans described in subsection (C)(2), the reclaimed water permit shall be issued. Reclaimed water shall not be supplied to a property until inspection by the City of Corona determines that the applicant is in compliance with the permit conditions.
(D) Mandatory reclaimed water use; objections; appeals.
(1) If a water customer receiving a notice requiring mandatory participation in the reclaimed water program pursuant to subsection (A)(2) or subsection (B)(3) of this section believes such mandatory participation is not required or is otherwise inappropriate, he/she/it may file a notice of objection with the City of Corona within 30 days after any notice containing proposed conditions of reclaimed water service is delivered or mailed to the customer. The customer may request reconsideration of the determination or modification of the proposed conditions or schedule for conversion. The objection must be in writing and specify the reasons for the objection. The written notice of appeal shall state in detail the specific facts supporting the request for reconsideration. Within 30 days of receiving such request, the Director of the City Water Utilities Department shall render a decision on the request for reconsideration.
(2) The person objecting may within ten days after notification of the Director’s decision file a written appeal with the City Council. The written appeal to the City Council and a requisite filing fee must be submitted to the City Clerk. Upon receipt of the written appeal and the requisite filing fee, the City Clerk shall set the matter for hearing with the City Council at the earliest practical date. At the hearing, the City Council may hear additional evidence and may reject, affirm or modify the Director’s decision. The decision by the City Council shall be final and shall complete the administrative process.
(E) Temporary use of potable water. At the discretion of the City of Corona, potable water may be made available to a site requiring reclaimed water use on a temporary basis until reclaimed water is available. Before the applicant receives temporary potable water, a reclaimed water permit as described in division (C) of this section must be obtained for new on-site distribution facilities. Prior to commencement of reclaimed water service, an inspection of the on-site facilities will be conducted to verify that the facilities have been maintained and are in compliance with the reclaimed water permit and current requirements of service. Upon a determination that the reclaimed water facilities are not in compliance, the applicant shall be notified of necessary corrective actions and shall have at least 30 days to take such actions prior to initiation of enforcement proceedings, if required.
(F) Requested service. On a case by case basis, upon application for a permit to use reclaimed water on a property not otherwise covered by this section, the City of Corona shall review the Master Plan and make a determination whether the subject property shall be served with reclaimed water. Based upon such determination, the application for the permit shall be accepted and processed subject to the provisions of division (C) of this section. If the potential reclaimed water customer and the city cannot agree on terms for the provision of reclaimed water service, or if the city determines that reclaimed water is not available for the proposed use, the city may, in its sole and absolute discretion, refuse to provide such service.
(G) Reclaimed water rate. The rate charged for reclaimed water shall be established by resolution of the City of Corona.
(H) Dual plumbing for reclaimed water.
(1) Requirement for dual plumbing. If the Director determines that a proposed new project is close enough to an existing or planned reclaimed water service pipeline to permit the city to furnish reclaimed water to the project, the project shall install reclaimed water service lines to the curb line or property line of the property, abutting on a public street, highway, road or city easement. The reclaimed water service lines shall be connected to all of the project's facilities which applicable law allows to use reclaimed water. A water meter shall be installed for the reclaimed water service lines, which shall be separate from the meter for potable water service and from the meter for landscaping water, if there is one. The size, location, and/or type of reclaimed water service lines, service connections, meters, backflow protection devices, and other appurtenances are subject to review and approval by the city.
(2) Rates and charges. Every project required to install reclaimed water service lines pursuant to subdivision (1) shall pay the city's reclaimed water meter fee, and a new reclaimed water meter set up and installation fee. Fees and charges for water system improvements shall be charged for the reclaimed water service as provided in Chapter 13.14 of this code. The minimum monthly service charge paid for reclaimed water shall be established by resolution or ordinance of the City Council, provided that only a single minimum monthly charge shall be imposed for each building containing both potable and reclaimed water systems. Notwithstanding the foregoing, separate minimum monthly charges shall be imposed for customers with both a potable water system and a reclaimed water system that is used for non-sanitary purposes, such as a dedicated landscape system or industrial process water. All fees applicable to potable water service, including, but not limited to, late fees, disconnection fees, and other fees required for potable water service in § 13.14.100, shall also apply separately to reclaimed water service.
(`78 Code, § 13.28.050.) (Ord. 3346 § 6, 2022; Ord. 3106 § 2, 2012; Ord. 2974, §§ 2, 3, 2009; Ord. 2544 § 5, 2001.)