Governor Jerry Brown recently enacted into law two new bills that require urban water providers throughout California to set new permanent water use targets for their service areas by 2022. Senate Bill 606 (Hertzberg) and Assembly Bill 1668 (Friedman) provide a framework for setting water use targets as well as implementing and enforcing the new water use requirements.
Because the new regulations will be developed over the next several years, there is no immediate impact to our customers. PCWA’s focus is to build on the successful efforts our customers voluntarily made over the last number of years to become more water efficient. Additionally, we plan to remain involved as the regulatory process moves forward to defend the efficient and beneficial use of water by our customers.
Along with many other local agencies, PCWA was actively involved in trying to improve AB 1668 and SB 606. While we remain opposed to both bills in the end, our efforts did lead to some improvements to the initial drafts. For example, under these bills, local water agencies, like PCWA, will have greater flexibility to develop water use targets for their service areas than originally envisioned.
PCWA is committed to reducing water losses, improving our overall water efficiency and helping you do the same. We appreciate your effort and support in being good stewards of our precious water resources.
