Information for Public Drinking Water Systems

The Division of Drinking Water (DDW) regulates public water systems, oversees water recycling projects, permits water treatment devices, supports and promotes water system security, and performs a number of other functions. To learn more about DDW activities, click on a link below. The Division of Financial Assistance (DFA) provides funding opportunities for drinking water system improvements; provides support for small water systems and for improving technical, managerial, and financial (TMF) capacity; and certifies drinking water treatment and distribution operators. Private domestic wells are not regulated by DDW; the GAMA Program has information pertinent to private domestic well water quality.

Quick Links

Announcements | Program | Reports and Publications | Rules and Regulations | PFAS | Tools | Permits | Additional Information

Announcements

For recent announcements, please see the Division of Drinking Water’s webpage.

Program

• DDW's Drinking Water Source Assessment and Protection (DWSAP) Program
  • DPR's Ground Water Protection Program
  • DPR's Surface Water Protection Program
• US EPA's Public Drinking Water Systems Programs
• Drought Resources for Water Systems
• Water Recycling: Regulations, Guidance, and Other Information

Reports and Publications

• Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs)s
• Notification Templates and Guidance
• Drinking Water Program Publications
  • Backflow Prevention Devices
  • Annual Capacity Development Report
  • Annual Compliance Report
  • Water Separation Criteria

Rules and Regulations

• Lead and Copper Rule
  • Lead Service Line Inventory
• Revised Total Coliform Rule
• Point-of-Entry and Point-of-Use Treatment Permanent Regulations
• Regulations
  • Regulations for Drinking Water (Upcoming)
  • Drinking Water Law Book

PFAs

• General Order Requiring Monitoring for PFAS in Drinking Water Sources
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)Water Monitoring
• Example PFOA/PFOS Notification Letter: (PDF) (Word)
• PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

Tools

• Laboratory Data Portal
  • California Laboratory Intake Portal (CLIP)
  • CLIP Log in
• Monitoring
  • Electronic Data Transfer (EDT) FAQ
  • Contaminants in Drinking Water
  • Public Water System Monitoring Schedules
  • EDT Library and Water Quality Analyses Data and Download Page
• Paperless Office System
  • Initial Notice to PWS on Electronic Submission of Documents (PDF)

Permits

• Permit Information
• Water Treatment and Distribution System Operator Certification

Additional Information

• Biological Treatment Systems for Nitrate Removal FAQ 2020 (PDF)
• Consolidation Information
  • Drinking Water Partnerships and Voluntary Consolidation
  • Drinking Water Mandatory Consolidation
• Funding-Related Information
  • Funding Opportunities for Public Water Systems
  • Capacity Development Program

• Public Water Systems

  • Legal Definitions (PDF)
  • Classification Decision Tree (PDF)
  • Drinking Water Supply Service Area Look-Up Tool
  • Authority to Inspect Public Water Systems (PDF)

• Security and Emergencies

  • Water Resiliency
  • Public Safety Power Shutoff and Wildfire Info
  • COVID-19 Drinking Water
• Water System Guidance
  • NaOCL Dosage Examples (PDF)
  • Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System Operation, Maintenance & Monitoring Guidance for Small Water Systems (PDF)
  • Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System: Design, Installation & Configuration Guidance for Small Water Systems (PDF)
  • Fluoridation (includes April 2015 Revision to Optimal Fluoride Level)
• Water System Administrator Info

Email Subscription List

To receive email notices about upcoming drinking water regulations and other drinking water-related information, subscribe to our email lists and select the "Drinking Water" section.

Contact

Map and contact information for DDW District Offices (PDF) (Page last updated 04/24/2025)

Drinking Water Resources

• California Laboratory Intake Portal (CLIP)
• Contaminants in Drinking Water
• Consolidation and Extension of Service
• COVID-19 Drinking Water
• Cyanobacteria/Cyanotoxins in Drinking Water

• Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs)

• Drinking Water Branch Districts

• Drinking Water Supply Service Area Lookup Tool
• Drinking Water Watch Database
• Electronic Annual Reports (EAR)
• Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)

• Funding for Public Water Systems

• Information for Public Water Systems

• Notification and Response Levels
• Operator Certification - Drinking Water
• Permits
• PFAS: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
• Public Notification Templates

• Public Safety Power Shutoff and Wildfire Info

• Public Water System Monitoring Schedules

• Regulations and Statutes
• Residential Water Treatment Devices
• Safe Drinking Water Plan for California
• SAFER Drinking Water
• Water Quality Data
• Water Recycling

Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.

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  Opportunities for Public Participation
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