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Regulation 84
Regulation No. 84 Overview
The purpose of Regulation 84 is to establish requirements, standards, prohibitions, and concentration limits for the use of reclaimed water, ensuring the protection of public health and the environment while promoting its beneficial use. Reclaimed water is produced by treating wastewater to meet the stringent standards outlined in Regulation No. 84, as enforced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. This treatment ensures the water is safe for repurposing in applications such as irrigation, cooling, and other non-potable uses.
Using reclaimed water reduces the demand on our drinking water system and conserves the potable water supply. ACWWA has a unique dual water supply system, with reclaimed water distributed by our Lone Tree Creek Water Reuse Facility (LTCWRF). ACWWA is authorized to distribute Category 2 reclaimed water under its existing permit.
New Reclaimed Water Customer Information
If you are a new reclaimed water customer, you will need to complete a User Application and Site Management Plan (UASMP) to use reclaimed water for irrigation purposes at your site. This must be done before reclaimed water can be authorized for your use. Please reach out to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator to begin this process.
Please note that it can take up to 60 days for the UASMP to be reviewed, submitted to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and approved or denied by CDPHE. Please also keep in mind that ACWWA tries to return review comments for applications submitted within 10-business days of receipt. Even if you do not plan to use reclaimed water at your site for irrigation for several months, please consider starting the permitting process in advance due to the review and processing time it can take.
Reclaimed Water Customer Responsibilities
All reclaimed water customers are required to adhere to any applicable regulations or policies including, but not limited to, the following:
Annual Certification Statement
The legal contact on the permit must submit an annual certification statement to ACWWA. ACWWA will reach out at the beginning of each year to obtain this with a specified deadline for return. Please note that if this is not received by the due date, your irrigation service will be locked out due to non-compliance.
Annual Reclaimed Water Training Requirements – ACWWA/Customer
ACWWA is required to ensure that all contacts on the reclaimed water permit for each customer completes its reclaimed water training program. This is an annual requirement, so training must be completed each year. ACWWA will reach out at the beginning of each year to obtain training verifications from the legal and site contact with a deadline for return. Please note that if this is not received by the due date, your irrigation service will be locked out due to non-compliance. For more information on this education requirement, please see Section 84.6(F)(4) of Regulation No. 84.
Annual Reclaimed Water Training Requirements - Customer
As a reclaimed water customer, each user is responsible for keeping a current record of workers that have undergone reclaimed water training, along with the
dates of that training. Records of further training for new employees must be kept by the User. The expectation of ACWWA is that the User will repeat training for employees/contractors as needed to ensure proper informed use by employees/contractors and knowledge of significant changes to the reclaimed water permit application that would affect proper site management and maintenance.
If a site inspection occurs and you do not have a current personnel training log on file which is readily accessible, you may be subject to irrigation service shutoff due to non-compliance/violation.
Signage Requirements
All permitted reclaimed water users must place signage at their site indicating that reclaimed water is in use and is not safe for consumption. Signage should be purple in color and shall read as follows: “NON-POTABLE RECLAIMED WATER IN USENOT FOR DRINKING or DO NOT DRINK.”
Signs should be posted at all site entrances and common areas where irrigation occurs. It is essential that all signage remains fully visible and in good condition (i.e., not faded, torn, etc.). For complete signage requirements, please refer to Section 84.10(A)(4) of Regulation No. 84.
Documentation Requirements
All reclaimed water customers must keep all necessary documentation on-site in an easily accessible location. Required documentation includes, but is not limited to:
- Notice of Authorization (NOA) which is your site’s reclaimed water permit
- Reclaimed Water Site Application (known as the User Plan to Comply or User Application and Site Management Plan)
- Current Training Log for all Users
- Irrigation System Maintenance Logs
- Any Change of Contact or Modification forms, if Applicable
Irrigation System Repair/Replacement Requirements for Reclaimed Water Systems
Any repairs or modifications to the existing irrigation system must be done so in compliance with the requirements outlined in Section 84.10(A)(2) of Regulation No. 84. Water piping, conveyances and appurtenances that deliver reclaimed water shall be purple in color or the piping shall be installed with a purple identification tape or wrap the entire length of the piping and shall be embossed, or integrally stamped or marked, with the words: “NONPOTABLE RECLAIMED WATER – NOT FOR DRINKING or DO NOT DRINK”.
If you are making a modification to your irrigation system which will result in a change to your irrigation landscape area, a modification form must be completed. Please see our Changes to an Existing Permit section below for more information on completing this form.
Ensuring Site is Irrigated at Agronomic Needs of Plants and Vegetation Present
It is the customer's responsibility to ensure that the site is being irrigated according to the agronomic needs of the plants and vegetation. This includes making sure that irrigation does not occur during storm or high wind events.
For more information, please refer to our "Summary of the Requirements for Use of Reclaimed Water" document in the Helpful Documents section of this page or your Notice of Authorization (NOA).
Changes to an Existing Permit
Change of Contact Information
If you need to update the legal or site contact on your reclaimed water permit, you must complete a change of contact form. The form and instructions can be found in our Helpful Documents section. Once completed, please submit the form to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator for review.
Modification of Permit
If you need to make a modification to your reclaimed water permit (such as a change to the landscape area), you will need to complete a modification form. The form can be found in our Helpful Documents section. Once completed, please submit the form to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator for review.
Transfer of Ownership
If you are selling your property and ownership is changing, both the previous owner and the new owner must work to complete a Transfer Application Form. Additionally, the new owner will need to complete a new User Application and Site Management Plan. Please note that the legal contact will remain the responsible party until the permit transfer has been approved and processed by the CDPHE. These forms can be found in the Helpful Documents section of this page and must be submitted to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator for review upon completion.
Termination of Permit Request Form
If you are no longer using reclaimed water at your site for the foreseeable future, you must complete and obtain approval for a permit termination to void the existing permit. The form required to complete this can be found in the Helpful Documents section of this page and must be submitted to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator for review upon completion.
Please note that a new UASMP will need to be completed before reclaimed water can be authorized for use at the site once the permit has been terminated.
Violation Procedures
Violation procedures for Regulation 84 customers are outlined in your Notice of Authorization (NOA) issued to you by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, under Section 3, "Use and/or Category Specific Requirements."
If a violation occurs during normal ACWWA business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), please contact ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator Danae Walker at 303-790-4830, Ext 312.
If a violation occurs after normal business hours, please contact the CDPHE 24-Hour Spill Hotline at 877-518-5608.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is reclaimed water?
Reclaimed water is treated wastewater that meets the strict standards of Regulation No. 84, enforced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, making it safe for non-potable uses such as irrigation and cooling. ACWWA’s recycled water fully complies with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Regulation No. 84 for designated state-approved uses. ACWWA authorizes the use of reclaimed water exclusively for landscape irrigation purposes.
Where can I find copies of my site’s reclaimed water permit and/or application?
You can obtain copies of your site’s reclaimed water permit (also known as the Notice of Authorization, NOA) or your site application (UPC or UASMP) by reaching out to ACWWA’s Reg84 Coordinator. You can also find copies using the CDPHE’s Clean Water Active Permits search located here.
Where do I get the required reclaimed water signage required for my site?
Please reach out to ACWWA’s Reg84 Coordinator to request reclaimed water signage. Please note that reclaimed water signage must follow the criteria listed within Section 84.10(A)(4) of Regulation No. 84.
Why is it strongly recommended that my site keep logs of site inspections,
maintenance and repair events, etc.?
Records of User/landscaper activities greatly increase confidence that the User is, indeed, practicing the control measures as required. While logs are not required, it eases the burden on the User to demonstrate compliance with these requirements and helps the User and Treater in ensuring this condition of the NOA is met
How can I tell if I’m watering at the agronomic rate needed for my site’s plants and vegetation?
It is imperative that you perform routine site inspections to ensure that overwatering is not occurring, and that the irrigation system is functioning properly. Signs of overwatering include but are not limited to: water running down the sidewalk, evidence of sediment spilling over irrigation beds, or overly soft, mushy ground. Regularly inspect your irrigation system to ensure there are no broken spray heads or other issues causing excessive irrigation. It is also important to routinely review your irrigation schedule to ensure it is set to meet the current needs of the vegetation and plants. Taking these steps will not only help ensure you are meeting the agronomic needs of your site but may also contribute to reducing your water usage!
What are common violations found during site inspections and how can I avoid them?
OVERWATERING, PONDING & RUNOFF, OVERSPRAY: Perform routine site inspections to ensure that overwatering is not occurring and that the irrigation system is functioning properly. Signs of overwatering include:
- Water running down the sidewalk
- Evidence of sediment spilling over irrigation beds
- Overly soft, mushy ground
Regularly inspect your irrigation system to ensure there are no broken spray heads, leaking control valves, or other issues that could cause irrigation water to be sprayed outside of the authorized use areas or applied at excessive rates. Additionally, be sure to adjust your irrigation zones and run times based on the needs of the plants and current weather conditions (e.g., rainstorms and high wind events).
LACK OF, INCORRECT, AND/OR WORN RECLAIMED WATER SIGNAGE: Signage must be purple in color and shall read as follows: “NON-POTABLE RECLAIMED WATER IN USENOT FOR DRINKING or DO NOT DRINK.” Signage should be placed at all site entrances and common areas where the risk for human contact is highest (such as turf irrigation areas near sidewalks). Signage should also be fully legible. If you need additional or replacement signage, please reach out to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator.
LACK OF ON-SITE DOCUMENTATION RECORDS: All reclaimed water documentation MUST be kept in an easily accessible location on-site. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Notice of Authorization (NOA)
- User Application (either your UPC or UASMP)
- Annual Reclaimed Water Training log for all users
- Change of Contact or Modification forms
INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION ON FILE FOR EXISTING PERMIT: It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the contact information for your permit is up to date and accurate. If a contact has changed, you will need to complete a change of contact form. You can find the form and instructions in our Helpful Documents section. Once completed, submit the form to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator for review. If you have questions about who the contacts are for your permit, you may reach out to ACWWA’s Regulation 84 Coordinator to verify.
Reclaimed Water Training Program
To find ACWWA’s Reclaimed Water Training video, please click on the video below.
Helpful Documents
Steps for Completing a UASMP as a New Reclaimed Water Customer (PDF)
User Application and Site Management Plan (UASMP) (PDF)
Steps for Completing Change of Contact Form (PDF)
Steps for Completing a Transfer of Ownership (PDF)
Summary of the Conditions for Use of Reclaimed Water (PDF)
Reclaimed Water Training Presentation (PDF)
Termination Request of Permit (PDF)
Reg84 Training Log Example for Users
Contact Us
Danae Walker, Regulation 84 Coordinator
Email: dwalker@acwwa.com
Phone Number: 303-790-4830
Emergency Phone Number: 877-518-5608
Mailing Address: 7135 S. Tucson Way, Centennial, CO 80112
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM