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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 104Pt. 12Ch. 5Art. 1§ 116790 Existing Residential Water Softener Use

§ 116790 Existing Residential Water Softener Use

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 116790 Existing Residential Water Softener Use

Key Takeaways

  • •Old water softeners (installed before 1980) in certain areas can keep running for 4 more years after the water board says they need to reduce salt.
  • •After those 4 years, the water softener must be set to work better—removing at least 2850 grains of hardness for every pound of salt used.
  • •After 4 years, you must also add water-saving devices (like special showerheads or faucets) if they aren’t already there.
  • •Someone has to check and confirm the water softener and water-saving devices meet the rules.

Example

You live in a house built in 1975 with an old water softener. The water board says your area has too much salt in the sewage, so they give you 4 years to fix it.

For 4 years, you can keep using your old water softener. After that, you must either make it work better (remove 2850 grains per pound of salt) or switch to a smarter one that only cleans when needed. You also have to add water-saving showerheads and faucets if you don’t have them already.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 116790 Existing Residential Water Softener Use

Any water softening appliance in place at a residential dwelling prior to January 1, 1980, in those areas being served by sewage treatment facilities that have been limited with regard to salt loading pursuant to Division 7 (commencing with Section 13000) of the Water Code and for which the appropriate regional water quality control board makes a finding, after adoption of waste discharge requirements and subject to a public hearing, that the control of residential salinity input is necessary to provide compliance with those limitations, may be continued in operation for a period no longer than four years after the regional water quality control board has made its findings. After the four-year period has elapsed, any water softening appliance at that site shall be set at a salt efficiency rating of no less than 2850 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration when regeneration is initiated with clock controls or manually-initiated controls, or shall have regenerations initiated with demand devices. Also, after the four-year period has elapsed, those water-saving devices in shower heads, on faucets, and in toilet reservoirs, as recited in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 116785, shall be installed unless already in place or prohibited by local and state plumbing and building standards. The salt efficiency rating of the water softening or conditioning appliance and the installation of water-saving devices shall be certified in accordance with Section 116795. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentadoptioncompliancehearingwagewastequalityregeneration

Related Statutes

  • § 112155 Shellfish Growing Area Definitions
  • § 18554 Wastewater Discharge Prohibition
  • § 42705.7 Wastewater Facility Air Monitoring
  • § 4950 Sewage And Water Recycling Facilities
  • § 25189.2 False Statements Penalties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 116790.
View Official Source