surface water

Surface water, as defined under the California Surface Water Treatment Rule, California Code of Regulations Title 22, Section 64651.83, means “all water open to the atmosphere and subject to surface runoff” and therefore includes all lakes, rivers, streams, and other water bodies.

Surface water includes all groundwater sources that are deemed to be under the influence of surface water (i.e., springs, shallow wells, wells close to rivers, etc.), which must comply with the same level of treatment as surface water.