California Code of Regulations
Title 23 - Waters
Division 3 - State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards
Chapter 2 - Appropriation of Water
Article 5 - Amounts for Which to Apply
Section 697 - Examples of Amounts Considered Reasonably Necessary

Universal Citation: 23 CA Code of Regs 697

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

The amount of water considered reasonably necessary for certain uses when the appropriation will be by direct diversion shall be determined in the following manner:

(a) Irrigation Use.

(1) In most portions of the central valley of California and elsewhere in the State where similar conditions prevail a duty of one cubic foot per second continuous flow to each 80 acres shall be considered a reasonable headgate duty for most crops. Where there is a greater abundance of water and a heavy transportation loss, or the land to be irrigated is of a porous, sandy or gavelly character a continuous flow allowance of one cubic foot per second to each 50 acres may be considered reasonable. Under other conditions where water supply is less abundant and conditions are favorable to a more economical use a duty of one cubic foot per second to 150 acres may be considered reasonable for most crops. For the irrigation of rice the customary allowance shall be one cubic foot per second continuous flow to each 40 acres of irrigated land.

(2) The equivalent of these continuous flow allowances for any 30--day period may be diverted in a lesser time at a greater rate so long as there is no interference with other users, and a clause allowing such rotation will be included in a permit issued for irrigation purposes.

(b) Domestic Use. Allowances for domestic use are variable, depending upon the character of the place of use, method of use, character of use and availability of water. The quantities considered reasonable for the respective domestic uses are as follows:

Homes, Resorts, Motels, Organization Camps, etc.

Fully plumbed.................................................... .......................................55 to 75 gallons per day per person
Sink and flush toilet only.................................. ...............................................40 gallons per day per person
Sink and shower only....................................... ................................................35 gallons per day per person
Sink only............................................................. ...............................................25 gallons per day per person
Outside supply only.......................................... ...............................................15 gallons per day per person
Cafe, fountain, etc............................................. ..............................................2.5 gallons per day per person

Camp Grounds

Depending upon facilities provided, allowances range from 5 gallons per day per person, where faucets only are provided, to 30 gallons per day per person where washbowls, showers, flush toilets and laundry trays are provided.

Lawn, Garden, Orchard and Grounds

Irrigation.................................................... ..........................18.5 gallons per day per 100 square feet
Sprinkling to allay dust........................... ..........................7.5 to 10 gallons per day per 100 square feet

Livestock

Milch cows.......................................... ..........................30 gallons per day per head
Horses................................................ ..........................15 gallons per day per head
Goats and hogs................................ ..........................2.5 gallons per day per head
Poultry, rabbits, etc.......................... ..........................0.25 gallon per day per head

(c) Stockwatering Use. For use for watering commercial livestock, the quantities considered reasonable are as follows:

Range cattle and horses...................................... ..........................15 gallons per day per head
Hogs and goats...................................................... ..........................2.5 gallons per day per head
Sheep....................................................................... ..........................1.5 gallons per day per head
Milch cows............................................................... ..........................30 gallons per day per head
Hosing out dairy barn............................................ ..........................35 gallons per day per head

1. Renumbering and amendment of Section 657 to Section 697 filed 1-16-87; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 87, No. 10). For prior history, see Registers 64, No. 6 and 55, No. 17.
2. Editorial correction amending subsection (a)(2) (Register 2005, No. 17).

Note: Authority cited: Section 1058, Water Code. Reference: Section 275, 1240 and 1252, Water Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.