California's Water Plan - Legislation Update

On November 4, 2009, the California state legislature passed a comprehensive water package comprised of five policy bills totaling more than 11 billion dollars. In summary, senate bill SBX7-1 focuses on the Delta & its restoration. SBX7-2 focuses on the appropriation of existing bond funds. This bill (SBX7-2), better known as the Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2010, is a proposal that would provide finding for California's aging water infrastruction and consists of seven (7) categories - Drought Relief, Delta Sustainability, Water Supply Reliability, State Wide System Operational Improvements, Groundwater Protection and Water Quality, Water Recycling/Conservation and Conservation/Watershed Protection. SBX7-6 focuses on local agencies and the monitoring of available groundwater supplies. SBX7-7 outlines ways for California's water suppliers to reduse their water use. Lastly, SBX7-8 focuses primarily on Delta water diversion. MPWD will continue to monitor this historic development and keep you posted as the plan begins to take shape over the coming years.