Safe to Swim Laws, Regulations and Standards

The following requirements govern the protection of water quality for recreational uses that involve water contact.

• Recreational Water Use Standards and Guidance
  Designed to protect public health from pathogens that may present risks while engaging in water-contact recreational activities, such as swimming, diving, and surfing.
  
  
  • California Ocean Water Contact Sport Standards and Guidance for Freshwater Beaches
    Health protective water recreation standards for ocean beaches are found in the Ocean Water Contact Sport Standards issued by the California Department of Public Health. Currently, there are no statewide water contact recreation standards for freshwater lakes and streams.
    
    
  • Contact Recreational Use Standards for Freshwater Lakes and Streams
    The Water Quality Control Plans (Basin Plans) of the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards include standards to protect contact and non-contact water recreation. These standards vary from place to place.
    
    
  • Statewide Freshwater Bacteria Standards
    The State Water Resources Control Board is developing statewide bacterial standards to protect contact recreational uses of freshwater lakes and streams.
    
    
• AB411 Legislation and Beach Monitoring Criteria
  
  
• Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 - Amended the Federal Water Pollution Act to improve the quality of coastal recreation waters.
  
  
• Clean Water Act Sections 303(d) and 305(b)
  
  
• State Water Board's 303(d) Listing Policy