Essential Water Compliance Checklist for North Coast Wineries
1. General Water
- Maintain records of annual water use (in gallons or acre-feet)
- Document source(s) of water (e.g., well, municipal, surface water, rain capture)
- Ensure well locations are registered with State/County
- Retain a licensed drinking water operator
- Stay current on source water and distribution water testing and reporting
2. Process Wastewater Compliance & Regulatory Filings
- File for or confirm enrollment in the Winery General Waste Discharge Order (WDO) from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB)
- Comply with State/County Winery Waste Discharge Requirements
- Submit Self-Monitoring Reports (SMRs) to the Regional Water Board
- Keep copies of all permits on file and accessible on-site or on the cloud
3. Process Wastewater Management
- Document your wastewater source points (crush pad, barrel washing, bottling, etc.)
- Evaluate your wastewater treatment system (septic, pond, drip field, packaged system)
- Conduct and document routine maintenance of treatment systems
- Maintain logs of effluent discharge volumes
- Ensure sampling for BOD, TSS, pH, nitrate, etc. is current and reported as required
4. Water Conservation & Sustainability
- Track production efficiency (gallons of water per gallon of wine)
- Use low-water-use equipment (barrel washers, rinsing systems, hoses)
- Reuse or recycle water where compliant and safe
- Train staff on water-saving best practices
5. Hazardous Materials, Spill Prevention & Regulatory Reporting
- Properly store cleaning chemicals and sanitizers
- Maintain up-to-date Spill Prevention Plans
- Maintain up to date Emergency Response Plans
- Have secondary containment systems for drums and IBC’s
- Have a current Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)
- Report your HMBP through CERS in compliance with local CUPA agencies
- SDS audits to match on-site inventory to maintain OSHA and CUPA compliance
6. Injury & Illness Prevention Plans (IIPP)
- Make sure that your IIPP’s are current and up to date. Review them annually
- Develop and update your safety plans. Review them annually or on triggered events
7. Workplace Violence & CAL OSHA
- Develop and update workplace violence prevention plans
- Develop and update CAL OSHA hazardous communication plans
Need Help?
Regulations & compliance are complex — but you don’t have to face it alone. Epsilon Consulting Services — all tailored & specific to your facility needs.
Schedule a Free Compliance Risk Review. Call Michael @ 707.333.9167
