AB 869: Sustainable water use and demand reduction: recycled water.

Session Year: 2017-2018
House: Assembly

Version:

(1)Existing law imposes various water use reduction requirements that apply to urban retail water suppliers, including a requirement that the state achieve a 20% reduction in urban per capita water use by December 31, 2020.

This bill would require the State Water Resources Control Board, in consultation with the Department of Water Resources, to adopt long-term standards for urban water conservation and water use by May 20, 2021. The bill would require the department, in coordination with the board, no later than October 1, 2020, to conduct necessary studies and investigations and recommend standards for indoor residential use and outdoor irrigation use for adoption by the board and would require the department to update these recommendations after 2026 in years ending in 2 and 7. The bill would require the board, in consultation with the department, to adopt performance measures for commercial, industrial, and institutional water use to produce measurable water use efficiency improvements, as specified, by May 20, 2021. The bill, after 2026 in years ending in 2 and 7, would require the board and the department to consider updating the long-term standards for urban water conservation and water use and the commercial, industrial, and institutional performance measures.

This bill would require long-term standards for urban water conservation and water use to include a credit for recycled water, as specified.

(2)Existing provisions of the California Constitution declare the policy that the water resources of the state be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent of which they are capable, that the waste or unreasonable use or unreasonable method of use of water be prevented, and that the conservation of these waters is to be exercised with a view to the reasonable and beneficial use of the waters in the interest of the people and for the public welfare. Existing law declares that the use of potable domestic water for certain nonpotable uses is a waste or an unreasonable use of water if recycled water is available, as determined by the State Water Resources Control Board, and other requirements are met.

Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, sets forth the emergency powers of the Governor under its provisions and empowers the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency for certain conditions, including drought. Existing law authorizes the governing body of a distributor of a public water supply to declare a water shortage emergency condition to prevail within the area served by the distributor whenever it finds and determines that the ordinary demands and requirements of water consumers cannot be satisfied without depleting the water supply of the distributor to the extent that there would be insufficient water for human consumption, sanitation, and fire protection. Existing law provides for certain water conservation measures to be taken during prescribed periods, including when the Governor has proclaimed a state of emergency based on drought or when the governing body of a distributor of a public water supply has declared a water shortage emergency condition.

This bill would state the intent of the Legislature in enacting this measure to, among other things, encourage continued investment in water reuse as a means to increase water supply reliability and diversification within the state. The bill would state that water conservation does not include curtailment of use of recycled water. The bill would prohibit an urban retail water supplier from being required to reduce the amount of recycled water it produces, sells, or distributes for beneficial potable or nonpotable uses during a period when water conservation measures are in effect.

Discussed in Hearing