Chapter 10 - Countywide Drought and Water Shortage Contingency Plans

Sections (3)

Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 679, Sec. 1. (SB 1157) Effective January 1, 2023.

(a)(1) Until January 1, 2025, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 55 gallons per capita daily.

(2)Beginning January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2030, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 47 gallons per capita daily.

(3)Beginning January 1, 2030, the standard for indoor residential water use shall be 42 gallons per capita daily.

(b)(1) The department, in coordination with the board, shall conduct necessary studies and investigations to assess and quantify the economic benefits

and impacts of the 2030 indoor residential use standard on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems and shall include saturation end-use studies. The studies and investigations shall build on the standards and potential effects identified pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 10609.2 and shall also consider, and as appropriate incorporate, other regional and statewide studies that quantify the impacts on water, wastewater, and recycled water systems, and evaluate the long-term effects of telework. To facilitate these studies and investigations, the board may

request necessary and relevant

information from wastewater agencies, including monthly influent flow, actions taken to reassess treatment processes, and the impact of the implementation of this chapter on wastewater operations, maintenance, and capital investment. The department, in coordination with the board, shall summarize the findings of these studies and investigations in a report to the Legislature on or before October 1, 2028. The report shall be submitted

in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(2)If the department, in coordination with the board, determines that

the 2030 indoor residential use standard is likely to unduly impact affordability of water and wastewater services, the department and the board may jointly recommend to the Legislature an alternate date on which the 2030 indoor residential use

standard shall take effect. This determination shall be made using at least two years of data reflecting application of the 2025 indoor residential use standard.

(3)Based upon the studies and investigations conducted pursuant to paragraph (1), the department shall consider whether to recommend, for adoption by the board, additional variances to accommodate unique challenges related to residential indoor water use pursuant to Section 10609.2. Variance options may include, but are not limited to, stranded assets,

impacts on disadvantaged communities, impacts to environmental flows, or adverse impacts to wastewater or recycled water operations.

(4)The studies, investigations, and report described in paragraph (1) shall include timely and inclusive collaboration with, and input from, a broad group of stakeholders, including, but not limited to, environmental groups, experts in indoor plumbing,

water, wastewater, and recycled water agencies.

(c)An urban retail water supplier shall not be subject to enforcement pursuant to this chapter solely for failing to meet the indoor residential use standard.

§ 10609.40

Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 15, Sec. 8. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2019.

The Legislature finds and declares both of the following:

(a)Small water suppliers and rural communities are often not covered by established water shortage planning requirements. Currently, most counties do not address water shortages or do so minimally in their general plan or the local hazard mitigation plan.

(b)The state should provide guidance to improve drought planning for small water suppliers and rural communities.

§ 10609.42

Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 15, Sec. 8. (AB 1668) Effective January 1, 2019.

(a)No later than January 1, 2020, the department, in consultation with the board and other relevant state and local agencies and stakeholders, shall use available data to identify small water suppliers and rural communities that may be at risk of drought and water shortage vulnerability. The department shall notify counties and groundwater sustainability agencies of those suppliers or communities that may be at risk within its jurisdiction, and may make the information publicly accessible on its Internet Web site.

(b)The department shall, in consultation with the board, by January 1, 2020, propose to the Governor and the Legislature recommendations

and guidance relating to the development and implementation of countywide drought and water shortage contingency plans to address the planning needs of small water suppliers and rural communities. The department shall recommend how these plans can be included in county local hazard mitigation plans or otherwise integrated with complementary existing planning processes. The guidance from the department shall outline goals of the countywide drought and water shortage contingency plans and recommend components including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(1)Assessment of drought vulnerability.

(2)Actions to reduce drought vulnerability.

(3)Response, financing, and local communication and outreach planning efforts

that may be implemented in times of drought.

(4)Data needs and reporting.

(5)Roles and responsibilities of interested parties and coordination with other relevant water management planning efforts.

(c)In formulating the proposal, the department shall utilize a public process involving state agencies, cities, counties, small communities, small water suppliers, and other stakeholders.