California’s Winery General Order: What Applies to You
What California Wineries Need to Know
If you run a winery in California, you’ve likely heard about the Statewide Winery General Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs). It’s a big shift, and yes, it means new rules, new forms, and new responsibilities.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
At BCG Water, we help wineries navigate regulations like this every day, with cost-conscious, practical solutions that protect your operations and your bottom line.
What Is the Winery General Order?
Rolled out by the State Water Resources Control Board, this statewide order standardizes how winery process wastewater is managed, replacing the patchwork of regional requirements that used to apply.
It’s designed to protect groundwater and surface water from contaminants, especially in areas where wineries have historically discharged into ponds, land, or through reuse systems.
Does This Apply to Your Winery?
If your winery generates 10,000 gallons or more of process wastewater per year, the answer is yes.
Bottom line: Start with your annual process water volume. It decides whether you need to enroll and which tier you fall into.
What Do You Need to Do?
Here’s what compliance will involve:
1. File a Notice of Intent (NOI)
This lets the State Water Board know you’re subject to the order and plan to comply.
2. Develop a Wastewater Management Plan
You must show how your winery:
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Collects and treats process wastewater
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Prevents groundwater contamination
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Manages land application or discharge (if applicable)
3. Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Water conservation and operational improvements are key. BMPs may include:
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Flow tracking
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Spill prevention
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Solids separation or reuse
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Minimizing water use in crush and cleaning operations
4. Start Recordkeeping and Reporting
You’ll need to:
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Track volumes of wastewater
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Monitor discharge quality (in some cases)
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File reports with the Water Board annually
5. Prepare for Groundwater Monitoring (if required)
If your winery is in a sensitive area or discharging to land, you may need:
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Baseline monitoring
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Ongoing sampling
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Specialized reporting (this is where a technical consultant will step in)
The Tiered Permitting System: Know Your Tier
The Order sorts wineries into an exempt category and four tiers by annual process water design flow, measured before treatment. The higher your tier, the more the Order asks of you.
| Category | Gallons per Year |
|---|---|
| Exempt | Under 10,000 |
| Tier 1 | 10,000 to 30,000 |
| Tier 2 | 30,001 to 300,000 |
| Tier 3 | 300,001 to 1,000,000 |
| Tier 4 | 1,000,001 to 15,000,000 |
Your annual fee follows a separate set of bands, so your tier does not tell you your fee. To estimate both, use the free tier calculator at BCG Notify, which tracks the Order with citations to the source.
Key Challenges Wineries Face
We get it: This comes at a tough time. Between production cost increases, labor shortages, and shifting demand, you didn’t ask for another regulatory curveball.
Common pain points we help wineries address:
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High consultant fees for technical reports
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Lack of in-house staff for reporting and monitoring
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Unclear guidance on what applies to your system
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Overcomplicated paperwork or water board language
What BCG Water Can Do for You
While we don’t file the official technical report required under the WDRs, we do support wineries with:
Wastewater Management Planning
We’ll assess your system, help document your process, and recommend improvements to stay compliant.
BMP and Conservation Implementation
Our team helps you integrate best practices that reduce costs and water use.
Monitoring & Reporting Setup
We’ll set up workflows, templates, and tools for accurate, ongoing compliance.
Permitting Guidance & Support
From identifying your tier to reviewing your NOI, we walk you through every step.
Connections to Trusted Experts
Need a technical report? We’ll connect you with qualified specialists we trust.
Think of us as your compliance translator, project manager, and strategic partner, here to keep you focused on what you do best: making great wine.
What’s the Timeline?
The WDRs are being phased in, but early action is critical.
Immediate next steps:
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File your NOI
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Begin drafting your Wastewater Management Plan
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Determine whether monitoring or additional consulting will be required
Opportunity in the Chaos: Lead with Sustainability
Yes, this regulation brings new challenges, but it also offers a moment to lead.
Wineries that prioritize sustainable water practices will be:
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More efficient
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More resilient
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More appealing to customers who care about environmental impact
This is your opportunity to get ahead of the curve and tell a better story, to regulators, partners, and your brand followers.
