State Water Resources Control Board Privacy Policy

Effective 4/12/2024

The California State Water Resources Control Board and the Water Quality Control Board (Water Boards) recognize the importance of safeguarding the privacy of an individual’s personal information. This policy describes Water Boards’ privacy practices regarding information collected from users of this website. This policy describes what information is collected and how that information is used.

The Water Boards are committed to protecting the privacy rights of individuals, as enumerated in Article 1 of the California Constitution, the Information Practices Act of 1977, and other state and federal laws. It is the Water Boards’ policy to limit the collection and safeguard the privacy of personal information submitted to, collected by, or maintained by the Water Boards. The Water Boards’ information management practices conform to the requirements of the Information Practices Act (Civil Code Section 1798 et seq.), the Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.), Government Code Sections 11015.5 and 11019.9, and other applicable laws pertaining to information privacy.

Collection of Personal Information

Water Boards adhere to the following principles in connection with the collection and management of any personal information obtained by the Water Boards:

  • Water Boards collect personal information on individuals only as allowed by law. Personal information, as defined in the Information Practices Act, is information that identifies or describes an individual including, but not limited to, name, Social Security Number, physical description, home address, home telephone number, education, financial matters, medical or employment history. Personal information also includes statements made by, or attributed to, the individual. Specifically, it includes information acquired through job applications and employee personnel files, grant applications, contracts for services from individuals, and public comments or questions via mail or electronic mail.
  • Water Boards will advise individuals who provide personal information to the Water Boards the purpose for which the information is collected. Water Boards maintain information practices that encompass the requirements of the Information Practices Act (Civil Code Section 1798 et seq.), the Public Records Act (Government Code Section 6250 et seq.), and Government Code Sections 11015.5 and 11019.9. Water Boards will communicate the purpose for which the information will be used at or prior to the time of collection in a privacy notice included on or with the form used to collect personal information. With each request for personal information, the Water Boards provide information on the authority under which the request is made, the principal uses Water Boards intend to make of the information and the possible disclosures the Water Boards are obligated to make to other government agencies and the public.
  • No personal information will be disclosed, made available, or otherwise used for the purposes other than those specified without consent, unless authorized by law or regulation.
  • Water Boards take reasonable precautions to protect the personal information collected or maintained by the Water Boards against loss, unauthorized access, illegal use, modification, or disclosure. Water Boards use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption software to protect the security of individuals’ personal information during transmission of such information through the Water Boards’ website. Personal information is stored in secure locations. Water Boards’ staff is trained on the procedures for the management of personal information, including the limitations to the release of information. Access to personal information is limited to those staff whose work requires the information. Confidential information is destroyed according to the Water Boards’ record retention schedule. The Water Boards conduct periodic audits to ensure that proper information management policies and procedure are followed.
  • Water Boards collect personal information about individuals through our website if an individual provides such information to Water Boards voluntarily through our online services, such as sending an email or submitting forms or surveys. We may use your personal information to contact you with information that may be of concern to you. You may opt out of receiving any, or all, of the communications from us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in the email we send or by contacting the Water Boards’ Privacy Officer at the contact information provided below. If you choose not to participate in these activities, your choice will in no way affect your ability to use any other feature of the website.

Automatically Collected Electronic Information

  • Water Boards collect personal information from you when you browse the Water Boards’ website. Information about your visit to the website is automatically collected to help Water Boards analyze and improve content of the website. The information that the Water Boards may collect includes the internet protocol (IP) address of the machine used to access our website, the type of browser and operating system used, the date and time when the site is visited, web pages displayed, and any forms or publications that are downloaded. This information is defined as electronically collected information under Government Code section 11015.5. Water Boards use electronic cookies to collect and temporarily store various types of information. The cookies allow the programs to operate correctly. Water Boards do not use cookies to collect or store personal information. You can prevent cookies from being placed on your computer by accessing your browser’s preferences menu and delete existing cookies. There are also commercial programs available to help manage cookies. If you disable your cookies, some of the Water Boards’ online services may not be accessible.
  • You have the right to have any electronically collected personal information deleted by Water Boards without reuse or distribution. You may request to have your electronically collected personal information deleted by contacting the Water Boards’ Privacy Officer at privacy@waterboards.ca.gov.
  • Water Boards will not distribute or sell any electronically collected personal information about you to any third party without your consent.
  • Automatically collected electronic personal information is exempt from request made under the Public Records Act.

Your Access Rights

You have the right to access any of your personal information maintained by the Water Boards and to request correction of any inaccuracies in the information. Additionally, you have the right to request deletion of any of your electronically collected personal information maintained by the Water Boards without additional use or distribution. If you have any questions regarding Water Boards’ Privacy Policy or to request your personal information maintained by Water Boards, to request corrections, or to request deletion of electronically collected personal information, please refer to the contact information below:

State Water Resources Control Board
ATTN: DIT Privacy Officer
1001 I Street
MS 8B
Sacramento, CA 95814