The Subregional System must manage the treatment, reuse and disposal of recycled water in compliance with regional, State and federal regulations and policies. The primary policies and regulations that must be met when operating the existing reclamation system and constructing new project components are:

• Regional Water Quality Control Board Permit and Basin Plan - RWQCB's Basin Plan establishes limits on reuse and disposal of recycled water such that public health and aquatic life are protected. The Basin Plan establishes a limit on how much and when recycled water can be discharged to the Russian River. RWQCB also issues a permit to the City of Santa Rosa that establishes limits on the quality of recycled water, conditions for its discharge and reuse, and monitoring and reporting requirements such that the Basin Plan polices and other federal and State water quality regulations are attained.
• Title 22 - The California Department of Health Services has established regulations that permit uses of recycled water according to particular levels of treatment that the recycled water has received. Santa Rosa's recycled water is treated to the highest level recognized by Title 22 and reuse of its water is subject to the least restrictions.
• Endangered Species Act - Ongoing operations and potential future projects of the Subregional System must be in conducted in compliance with federal and State regulations to protect threatened or endangered plants and animals. Protected plants and animals in the Santa Rosa area include vernal pool plants, salmonid fish, California freshwater shrimp, and northern spotted owl.
• Other Agencies and Regulations - Wetlands streams and riparian habitat, and artifacts of historical or prehistorical significance are among the resources that are protected by regulations with which the Subregional System must comply.