California water agencies face deadline to meet 2040 goals
The California State Water Resources Control Board has recently approved a groundbreaking new regulation that imposes conservation requirements on the state’s largest water utilities, specifically urban retail water suppliers that cater to 95% of California residents. This new law entails a gradual reduction in the allowable water consumption for each of the state’s 402 urban retail water agencies between the years 2027 and 2040, excluding individuals and households from its purview.
To comply with the new regulation, every water supply agency must establish a water budget, implement performance measures for commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors, and submit regular reports to the Water Board. While the agencies have the flexibility to customize their conservation strategies based on local needs and climate conditions, non-compliance may lead to civil penalties of up to $10,000. However, the policy also offers guidance, best practices, and advisory services to assist agencies in meeting their conservation goals.
In a bid to prevent rate hikes, water suppliers will focus on reducing both indoor and outdoor residential water usage, targeting cuts in water consumption for commercial, industrial, and institutional landscapes. Strategies such as education and outreach, leak detection, rebates, and the installation of efficient appliances or landscapes will be emphasized, signaling a shift away from traditional green front lawns in California’s future water conservation efforts.
Nick Cahill, a spokesperson for the Water Board, highlighted the significance of the new regulation, noting that it is the first in the nation to leverage a water budget to promote conservation. The combined efforts of suppliers, businesses, and residents, along with the regulation, are projected to yield approximately 500,000 acre-feet of water savings annually by 2040, sufficient to meet the needs of over 1.4 million households per year.
The comprehensive law accommodates special circumstances by allowing water suppliers to request variances for unique water uses, such as those related to livestock, wildlife conservation, evaporative cooling, and tree irrigation. Additionally, the law incentivizes water recycling, tree planting, and offers alternative compliance pathways for disadvantaged communities, reflecting a forward-looking approach to sustainable water management in the face of climate change challenges.
The impetus for the new regulation stemmed from the severe drought experienced in California from 2011 to 2017, prompting the 2018 Legislature to pass Senate Bill 606. This bill mandated the Water Board and the state Department of Water Resources to implement water efficiency regulations with penalties for violations, aiming to foster long-term water conservation practices and preparedness for future drought scenarios. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy aligns with this regulation, addressing a projected 10% water supply deficit by 2040 due to changing weather patterns. The regulation, set to take effect by January 1, 2025, signifies a significant step towards ensuring sustainable water management practices that are both effective and forward-thinking.
