Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include, among others, tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, urban uses, agricultural uses, tribal uses, and the environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include, among others, tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, urban uses, agricultural uses, tribal uses, and the environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include, among others, tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, all beneficial uses, including, but not limited to, urban uses, agricultural uses, tribal uses, and the environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include include, among others, tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Existing law requires the Department of Water Resources to update every 5 years the plan for the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and use of the water resources of the state, which is known as The California Water Plan. Existing law requires the department to include a discussion of various strategies in the plan update, including, but not limited to, strategies relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers, that may be pursued in order to meet the future needs of the state. Existing law requires the department to establish an advisory committee to assist the department in updating the plan.

This bill would revise and recast certain provisions regarding The California Water Plan to, among other things, require the department to expand the membership of the advisory committee to include tribes, labor, and environmental justice interests. The bill would require the department, as part of the 2033 update to the plan, to update the interim planning target for 2050, as provided. The bill would require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, and ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, among other things. The bill would require the plan to include specified components, including a discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by the department within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets. The bill would require the department to report to the Legislature the amendments, supplements, and additions included in the updates of the plan, together with a summary of the departments conclusions and recommendations, in the session in which the updated plan is issued. The bill would also require the department to conduct public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 72

Author:(Caballero)

As Amended Ver:April 10, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Revises and recasts requirements for the contents of the California Water Plan, requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, and establishes an interim target to develop an additional nine million acre-feet (AF) of water by 2040.

Major Provisions

1. Recasts the California Water Plan as a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California's water resources and requires the plan to include long-term water supply targets and strategies to meet those targets.
2. Requires DWR to establish an advisory committee in consultation with the California Water Commission (CWC) to assist and provide input to DWR in updating the California Water Plan.
3. Adds representatives from the following groups to the advisory committee tasked with assisting DWR in updating the California Water Plan: tribes, labor representatives, and environmental justice interests.
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of public workshops to allow for public input on updates to the California Water Plan. The location of workshops shall maximize geographic distribution to allow various interests and communities to provide input.
5. Requires each update of the California Water Plan to include the following components:
   1. A discussion of environmental needs on a regional basis;
   2. A discussion of urban sector water needs on a regional basis;
   3. A discussion of agricultural water needs on a regional basis;
   4. A summary of sources that could finance project types or actions identified in the plan; and
   5. A discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action identified in the plan that could help achieve the plan's water supply targets.
6. Requires DWR to include an interim planning target for 2040 of nine million AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity in the 2028 update to the California Water Plan. Specifies this target may be achieved through a variety of strategies.
7. Requires DWR to update the interim planning target specified in no. 6, above, for 2050 as part of the 2033 update to the California Water Plan. Provides the target shall consider the identified and future needs for all beneficial uses of water. Requires subsequent updates to the California Water Plan to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon.
8. Requires DWR to incorporate opportunities for demand management and current and future needs of disadvantaged communities into its preliminary draft of assumptions and other estimates upon which updates to the California Water Plan are to be based.

COMMENTS

The California Water Plan is "the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state." As a part of updating the California Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. Inclusion of a particular project or strategy does not constitute approval of or state financing for said project or strategy without further legislative action. As part of the update to the California Water Plan, DWR must also conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state's future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs.

According to DWR, the development of the California Water Plan dates back to the late 1800s. The first plan, which covered ideas for water distribution in the state, was put together in 1873. Subsequent reports were issued through the decades as DWR bulletins. The initial California Water Plan (known as Bulletin 3) was released in 1957 and was intended for "control, protection, conservation, distribution, and utilization of all the waters of California, to meet present and future needs for all beneficial uses and purposes in all areas of the state to the maximum feasible extent." Bulletin 3 and subsequent updates were mostly technical documents focused on water supply development. Over time, the plans were gradually expanded to reflect the growing conflicts over California's limited water resources. Since the 1998 update, the California Water Plan has moved from a technical document focused on water supply development to an evaluation of options for addressing significant water issues in California.

Major themes of the 2023 update to the California Water Plan are addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and equity. The 2023 update indicates that total "applied" water use (urban, irrigated agriculture, and environmental water) ranged from 64.2 million AF to 90.6 million AF between the years 2016 and 2020. To address the water challenges facing California, the 2023 update outlines seven objectives; 23 recommendations are embedded in these objectives and a total of 74 actions are embedded in the recommendations. The 2023 update incorporates the Governor's 2022 target to close the "evaporative gap" (see below).

In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (six million AF to nine million AF of water) by 2040 due to climate change. To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional water storage by 2040. Those targets are:

1. New supply: 2.4 million AF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.8 million AF), desalination (84,000 AF), and stormwater capture (500,000 AF).
2. Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
3. Expanded water storage: four million AF of surface water and groundwater storage.

In total, the strategy identifies 2.9 million AF of "new" water and four million AF of increased storage capacity to "close the evaporative gap;" however, the Governor's strategy also includes an important caveat that "additional storage capacity does not equate to a similar volume of new water supply." The distinction between "new water" and expanded storage is important and one that this bill does not make. The expansion of water storage will be necessary to adapt to climate change, but it will only be filled when water is available given hydrologic conditions and must be consistent with existing water rights, water quality standards, and other regulations.

According to the Author

"A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California's economy and to the quality of life for all Californians. While intermittent storms can give California a reprieve; prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, more frequent and severe wildfires, population and economic growth, antiquated state policies and climate change impacts present unique challenges that threaten the survival of entire communities and sectors of the economy. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. [This bill] would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would require that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders."

Arguments in Support

The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) is a co-sponsor of this bill and asserts that it is necessary to develop a water supply strategy that aligns with the challenges posed by climate change. CMUA maintains "Given the extreme climate impacts of the 21st century, an expanding economy, a growing population, the anticipated reductions from existing water resources, and the controls on the use of groundwater, California needs to align the state's water supply strategy and policies with a target that will result in an adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses including the environment, agriculture, the economy, and all Californians. Recent research estimates a shortfall in California's future water supply between 4.6 and [nine] million [AF] annually by 2050 if the state takes no action." CMUA contends this bill "brings about the fundamental changes that are necessary to ensure a sustainable water future."

Arguments in Opposition

The Mono Lake Committee opposes this bill arguing that it overemphasizes the development of new water supplies to meet California's needs. The Mono Lake Committee also points out that the interim target of nine million AF by 2040 in this bill "is significantly higher" than the 2040 target of approximately seven million AF that was set by the Governor in his 2022 California Water Supply Strategy and subsequently incorporated into the 2023 update to the California Water Plan. Further, the Mono Lake Committee objects to this bill's emphasis on water supply development and asserts that this focus will come at the expense of other strategies that address demand reduction, improved operations, and improved water quality, among others. They argue that this bill's focus is on "the most expensive options for developing a more reliable and resilient water system. We already have a water affordability problem in many parts of the state. Prioritizing these higher cost options will make the affordability problem just that much worse."

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, this bill has the following fiscal impact:

1. DWR will incur significant costs to update the California Water Plan in accordance with the requirements of this bill. DWR reports it currently spends about $4.5 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund and $1.1 million from the State Water Project. In addition to these direct expenditures, DWR estimates partner agencies expend about $3.3 million in in-kind participation and data-sharing.

In addition to what it currently spends on work related to the California Water Plan, DWR anticipates this bill will result (in 2024 dollars) in new annual costs of approximately $6.8 million for the first five years followed by costs of approximately $3.4 million annually thereafter. Tasks include developing future supply targets in open processes and building a model to assess the ability for California's water system to meet those targets; expanding investigations and modeling of the state's ten hydrologic regions; assessing environmental, urban, and agricultural water needs; developing comprehensive libraries of local projects with estimated benefits; producing statewide adaptation strategies; coordinating with the CWC, the advisory committee, and other specified entities; and various other tasks.

1. Ongoing cost pressure of an unknown, but potentially significant, amount (General Fund, special fund, or bond funds) for the state to undertake projects and activities to meet the goals and implement the strategies identified in the California Water Plan to address the state's water needs and meet water supply targets.
2. Likely minor and absorbable costs for the State Water Board and CWC.

VOTES

SENATE FLOOR: 37-0-3

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Arreguín, Ashby, Becker, Blakespear, Cabaldon, Caballero, Cervantes, Choi, Cortese, Dahle, Durazo, Gonzalez, Grayson, Grove, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, McNerney, Menjivar, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Pérez, Richardson, Rubio, Seyarto, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Strickland, Umberg, Valladares, Weber Pierson, Wiener

ABS, ABST OR NV: Hurtado, Reyes, Wahab

ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 12-0-1

YES: Papan, Jeff Gonzalez, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bennett, Boerner, Caloza, Hart, Celeste Rodriguez, Rogers, Tangipa

ABS, ABST OR NV: Macedo

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 15-0-0

YES: Wicks, Sanchez, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Dixon, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Ahrens, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: April 10, 2025

CONSULTANT: Pablo Garza / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0001388

Date of Hearing: July 16, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 72

Author:(Caballero) – As Amended Ver:April 10, 2025

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill revises and recasts requirements for the contents of the California Water Plan, requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, and establishes an interim target to develop an additional nine million acre-feet (AF) of water by 2040.

Specifically, this bill, among other things:

1. Recasts the California Water Plan as a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources and requires the plan to include long-term water supply targets and strategies to meet those targets. Requires DWR to update the California Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
2. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), other local, state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee – which this bill expands – to develop the California Water Plan.
   
3. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the California Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the California Water Plan, as updated.
   
4. Adds to the list of strategies DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities.
   
5. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops, as specified, when preparing an update to the California Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
6. Requires each update to include the following components: (a) a discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs, on a regional basis; (b) a summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies; (c) a discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets; and (d) a report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
7. As a part of the 2028 update, requires DWR to include an interim planning target of nine million AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040, as specified.
8. As a part of the 2033 update, requires DWR to update the aforementioned planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale, as specified.
9. Requires DWR to incorporate opportunities for demand management and current and future needs of disadvantaged communities into its preliminary draft of assumptions and other estimates upon which updates to the California Water Plan are to be based.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. DWR will incur significant costs to update the California Water Plan in accordance with the requirements of this bill. DWR reports it currently spends about $4.5 million annually on developing and updating the California Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund and $1.1 million from the State Water Project. In addition to these direct expenditures, DWR estimates partner agencies expend about $3.3 million in in-kind participation and data-sharing.

In addition to what it currently spends on work related to the California Water Plan, DWR anticipates this bill will result (in 2024 dollars) in new annual costs of approximately $6.8 million for the first five years followed by costs of approximately $3.4 million annually thereafter. Tasks include developing future supply targets in open processes and building a model to assess the ability for California’s water system to meet those targets; expanding investigations and modeling of the state’s ten hydrologic regions; assessing environmental, urban, and agricultural water needs; developing comprehensive libraries of local projects with estimated benefits; producing statewide adaptation strategies; coordinating with the CWC, the advisory committee, and other specified entities; and various other tasks.

1. Ongoing cost pressure of an unknown, but potentially significant, amount (General Fund, special fund, or bond funds) for the state to undertake projects and activities to meet the goals and implement the strategies identified in the California Water Plan to address the state’s water needs and meet water supply targets.
2. Likely minor and absorbable costs for the State Water Board and CWC.

COMMENTS:

1) Purpose. According to the author:

A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California's economy and to the quality of life for all Californians…Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. [This bill] would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate.

2) Background. California Water Plan. According to DWR, the California Water Plan is “the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” As a part of updating the plan every five years, state law requires DWR to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. As part of the update to the California Water Plan, state law requires DWR to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs.

The California Water Plan was most recently updated in 2023 and indicates that total “applied” water use (urban, irrigated agriculture, and environmental water) ranged from 64.2 million AF to 90.6 million AF between the years 2016 and 2020. To address the water challenges facing California, the 2023 update outlines a wide range of objectives, recommendations, and actions.

California’s Water Supply Strategy – Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (six million AF to nine million AF of water) by 2040 due to climate change. To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various numerical targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional water storage by 2040. In total, the strategy identifies 2.9 million AF of “new” water and four million AF of increased storage capacity to “close the evaporative gap” (increased evaporation tied to warmer average temperatures); however, the Governor’s strategy also includes the caveat that “additional storage capacity does not equate to a similar volume of new water supply.” As discussed in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee’s analysis of this bill, the distinction between “new water” and expanded storage is important and one this bill does not make. The expansion of water storage will be necessary to adapt to climate change, but it will only be filled when water is available given hydrologic conditions and must be consistent with existing water rights, water quality standards, and other regulations.

3) Prior Legislation. SB 366 (Caballero), of 2023-2024 Legislative Session, was similar (but not identical) to this bill and was vetoed by the Governor. The Governor’s veto message stated SB 366 would create substantial ongoing costs for DWR, the State Water Board, and other state agencies and departments to assist in the development of water supply planning targets, and that “a revision to the Plan of this magnitude, that creates such significant costs, must be considered in the context of the annual budget.”

Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: July 1, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE

Diane Papan, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 72

Author:(Caballero) – As Amended Ver:April 10, 2025

SENATE VOTE: 37-0

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SUMMARY: Revises and recasts requirements for the contents of the California Water Plan, requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, and establishes an interim target to develop an additional nine million acre-feet (AF) of water by 2040. Specifically, this bill:

1. Recasts the California Water Plan as a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources and requires the plan to include long-term water supply targets and strategies to meet those targets.
2. Requires DWR to establish an advisory committee in consultation with the California Water Commission to assist and provide input to DWR in updating the California Water Plan.
3. Adds representatives from the following groups to the advisory committee tasked with assisting DWR in updating the California Water Plan: tribes, labor representatives, and environmental justice interests.
4. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), other appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee to develop the California Water Plan.
5. Requires DWR to conduct a series of public workshops to allow for public input on updates to the California Water Plan. The location of workshops shall maximize geographic distribution to allow various interests and communities to provide input.
6. Requires each update of the California Water Plan to include the following components:
   1. A discussion of environmental needs on a regional basis;
   2. A discussion of urban sector water needs on a regional basis;
   3. A discussion of agricultural water needs on a regional basis;
   4. A summary of sources that could finance project types or actions identified in the plan; and
   5. A discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action identified in the plan that could help achieve the plan’s water supply targets.
7. Requires DWR to include an interim planning target for 2040 of nine million AF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity in the 2028 update to the California Water Plan. Specifies this target may be achieved through a variety of strategies.
8. Requires DWR to update the interim planning target specified in #7 for 2050 as part of the 2033 update to the California Water Plan. Provides the target shall consider the identified and future needs for all beneficial uses of water. Requires subsequent updates to the California Water Plan to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon.
9. Requires DWR to incorporate opportunities for demand management and current and future needs of disadvantaged communities into its preliminary draft of assumptions and other estimates upon which updates to the California Water Plan are to be based.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Provides that the California Water Plan is the master plan that guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan every five years (Water Code § 10004 et seq.).
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the California Water Plan to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of agricultural and urban water suppliers, local government, business, production agriculture, and environmental interests, and other interested parties, to assist DWR in updating the California Water Plan [Water Code § 10004(b)(2)].
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs [Water Code § 10004.6(a)].
   3. Include a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs (Water Code § 10004.5).
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the California Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, to interested persons and entities throughout the state for their review and comments. Prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates, including hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. [Water Code § 10004.6(c)].
4. Declares that the California Water Plan is the master plan that guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management, and efficient utilization of the state’s water resources; however, clarifies that this declaration does not constitute state approval for any project, water transfer, or financial assistance. Further, provides this declaration shall not be construed as a prohibition on the development of the state’s water resources by any entity (Water Code § 10005).
5. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state (Water Code § 10005.1).

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose of this bill. The author argues this bill is necessary to update the California Water Plan and ensure that it is anticipating water supply impacts of California’s changing climate. The author states: “A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California's economy and to the quality of life for all Californians. While intermittent storms can give California a reprieve; prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, more frequent and severe wildfires, population and economic growth, antiquated state policies and climate change impacts present unique challenges that threaten the survival of entire communities and sectors of the economy. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. [This bill] would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. [This bill] would require that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders.”
2. Background. The California Water Plan is “the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” As a part of updating the California Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. Inclusion of a particular project or strategy does not constitute approval of or state financing for said project or strategy without further legislative action. As part of the update to the California Water Plan, DWR must also conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs.
   
   According to DWR, the development of the California Water Plan dates back to the late 1800s. The first plan, which covered ideas for water distribution in the state, was put together in 1873. Subsequent reports were issued through the decades as DWR bulletins. The initial California Water Plan (known as Bulletin 3) was released in 1957 and was intended for “control, protection, conservation, distribution, and utilization of all the waters of California, to meet present and future needs for all beneficial uses and purposes in all areas of the state to the maximum feasible extent.” Bulletin 3 and subsequent updates were mostly technical documents focused on water supply development. Over time, the plans were gradually expanded to reflect the growing conflicts over California’s limited water resources. Since the 1998 update, the California Water Plan has moved from a technical document focused on water supply development to an evaluation of options for addressing significant water issues in California.
   
   2023 update. Major themes of the 2023 update are addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and equity. The 2023 update indicates that total “applied” water use (urban, irrigated agriculture, and environmental water) ranged from 64.2 million AF to 90.6 million AF between the years 2016 and 2020. To address the water challenges facing California, the 2023 update outlines seven objectives; 23 recommendations are embedded in these objectives and a total of 74 actions are embedded in the recommendations. The 2023 update incorporates the Governor’s 2022 target to close the “evaporative gap” (see below).
   
   California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (six million AF to nine million AF of water) by 2040 due to climate change. To address this shortfall, the strategy sets various targets to generate new water supply, reduce demand, and develop additional water storage by 2040. Those targets are:

• New supply: 2.4 million AF to be achieved through increased water recycling (1.8 million AF), desalination (84,000 AF), and stormwater capture (500,000 AF).
• Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.
• Expanded water storage: four million AF of surface water and groundwater storage.

In total, the strategy identifies 2.9 million AF of “new” water and four million AF of increased storage capacity to “close the evaporative gap;” however, the Governor’s strategy also includes an important caveat that “additional storage capacity does not equate to a similar volume of new water supply.” The distinction between “new water” and expanded storage is important and one that this bill does not make. The expansion of water storage will be necessary to adapt to climate change, but it will only be filled when water is available given hydrologic conditions and must be consistent with existing water rights, water quality standards, and other regulations.

1. Arguments in support. The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) is a co-sponsor of this bill and asserts that it is necessary to develop a water supply strategy that aligns with the challenges posed by climate change. CMUA maintains “Given the extreme climate impacts of the 21st century, an expanding economy, a growing population, the anticipated reductions from existing water resources, and the controls on the use of groundwater, California needs to align the state’s water supply strategy and policies with a target that will result in an adequate and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses including the environment, agriculture, the economy, and all Californians. Recent research estimates a shortfall in California’s future water supply between 4.6 and [nine] million [AF] annually by 2050 if the state takes no action.” CMUA contends this bill “brings about the fundamental changes that are necessary to ensure a sustainable water future.”
2. Arguments in opposition. The Mono Lake Committee opposes this bill arguing that it overemphasizes the development of new water supplies to meet California’s needs. The Mono Lake Committee also points out that the interim target of nine million AF by 2040 in this bill “is significantly higher” than the 2040 target of approximately seven million AF that was set by the Governor in his 2022 California Water Supply Strategy and subsequently incorporated into the 2023 update to the California Water Plan. Further, the Mono Lake Committee objects to this bill’s emphasis on water supply development and asserts that this focus will come at the expense of other strategies that address demand reduction, improved operations, and improved water quality, among others. They argue that this bill’s focus is on “the most expensive options for developing a more reliable and resilient water system. We already have a water affordability problem in many parts of the state. Prioritizing these higher cost options will make the affordability problem just that much worse.”
3. Proposed technical amendment. Legislative Counsel has notified this Committee that there is a conflict between this bill and AB 1520 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife). Both bills propose amendments to § 10004 of the Water Code. The Committee requests that the author take a chaptering out amendment so that the amendments to § 10004 in this bill replace and prevail over the version of § 10004 in AB 1520 should both bills be enacted.
4. Related legislation. SB 366 (Caballero) of 2023 was similar to this bill and would have revised and recast requirements for the contents of updates to the California Water Plan, required DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, and established an interim target of nine million AF of additional water, water supply, or water storage capacity by 2040. SB 366 was vetoed by the Governor. The veto message states:
   
   “The bill would require [DWR], as part of the 2033 update, to revise the contents of the California Water Plan to, among other provisions, focus on developing a long-term water supply planning target for 2050 to identify and create plans for future water needs of various water sectors.
   
   The California Water Plan (Plan), updated every five years, is the state's guidance document for sustainably and equitably managing, developing, and stewarding the state's water resources. My Administration recently released the 2023 Plan to lay out a statewide vision promoting climate resilience across regions, water sectors, and natural and built infrastructure. This Plan update includes clear goals, watershed-based climate resilience planning, and regional and interregional infrastructure modernization strategies.
   
   While I appreciate the author's intent, this bill would create substantial ongoing costs for DWR, the [State Water Board], and other state agencies and departments to assist in the development of water supply planning targets. A revision to the Plan of this magnitude, that creates such significant costs, must be considered in the context of the annual budget.
   
   In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep program cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.
   For these reasons, I cannot sign this bill.”

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (co-sponsor)

California Municipal Utilities Association (co-sponsor)

California State Association of Counties (co-sponsor)

Agricultural Council of California
American Society of Civil Engineers, Region 9
Associated Equipment Distributors
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California
Burbank Water and Power
Caity Maple, Councilmember District 5, City of Sacramento
CalDesal
California Alfalfa and Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
California Democratic Party Rural Caucus
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fire Chiefs Association
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain and Feed Association
California Groundwater Coalition
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Floral Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
California-Nevada Section American Water Works Association
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Chris Barajas, Councilmember, City of Jurupa Valley
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Murietta
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Roseville
City of Thousand Oaks
Coachella Valley Water District
Community Water Systems Alliance
Contra Costa Water District
County of Fresno
County of Monterey
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Fire Districts Association of California
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Grassland Water District
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
Grower-Shipper Association
HDR Engineering, Inc.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jeremy Smith, Councilmember, City of Canyon Lake
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles Business Federation
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
McMullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Monday Morning Group of Riverside
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
Natasha Johnson, Councilmember, City of Lake Elsinore
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Rural County Representatives of California
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Gorgonio PASS Water Agency
San Juan Water District
San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Margarita Water District
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Rental Housing Association
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Southwest Riverside County Association of Realtors
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Sweetwater Authority
Tehama Colusa Canal Authority
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
United Water Conservation District
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California
Utica Water and Power Authority
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Advocacy Fund
Water Replenishment District
WateReuse
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Canal Water District
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health Association
Westlands Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

Opposition

California Outdoors
California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
Defenders of Wildlife
Friends of the River
Golden State Salmon Association

Mono Lake Committee
Planning and Conservation League
Resource Renewal Institute
Restore the Delta
San Francisco Baykeeper
Sierra Club California
South Yuba River Citizens League
Tuolumne River Trust

Analysis Prepared by: Pablo Garza / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: SB 72

Author: Caballero (D), et al.

Amended: 4/10/25

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 6-0, 4/8/25

AYES: Limón, Seyarto, Allen, Hurtado, Laird, Stern

NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 5/23/25

AYES: Caballero, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Grayson, Richardson

NO VOTE RECORDED: Dahle, Wahab

SUBJECT: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SOURCE: California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance, California Municipal Utilities Association, and California State Association of Counties.

DIGEST:

This bill revises the contents of the California Water Plan, which is updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), requires DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establishes an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and requires that each plan update includes specified components.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the Water Plan, as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, as specified, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
   3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs, as specified. (Wat. C. §10004.5)
3. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings, as specified. (Wat. C. §10005.1)

This bill:

1. Requires DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands. Requires DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
2. Requires DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), other local, state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by this bill, to develop the Water Plan.
   
3. Requires DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and requires DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
4. Adds to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
5. Requires DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
6. Requires each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs, on a regional basis.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
7. Requires DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management; current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells; and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
8. As a part of the 2028 update, requires DWR to include an interim planning target of 9 MAF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Provides that the target may be achieved through strategies, including, but not limited to, a combination of the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies
   
9. As a part of the 2033 update, requires DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Requires the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, as specified, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources; ensure safe drinking water for all Californians; and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Requires DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.
   
10. Makes various findings and declarations about the need to update the Water Plan.

Background

The California Water Plan. According to DWR, the “California Water Plan [Water Plan] is the State’s strategic plan for sustainably managing and developing water resources for current and future generations.” The Water Plan “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Water Code (Wat. C.) §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet the future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The last update was released in April 2024.

[See Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee analysis for additional background information.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• “The Department of Water Resources (DWR) estimates one-time costs of about $17 million spread over the first 5 years and ongoing costs of about $3.4 million annually (General Fund) for DWR to expand investigations and modeling of the state’s ten hydrologic regions, develop future supply targets in open processes, and develop comprehensive libraries of local projects with estimated benefits, among other things.
• “Unknown costs (General Fund or special fund) for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to implement the provisions of this bill.
• “Unknown, potentially significant cost pressure (General Fund, special fund, or bond funds) for projects and activities to meet goals and implement strategies identified in the Water Plan or by DWR as a result of this bill in order to address the state’s water needs and/or meet water supply targets.
• “Unknown but likely minor and absorbable costs for the CWC to coordinate with DWR.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/23/25)

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (co-source)

California Municipal Utilities Association (co-source)

California State Association of Counties (co-source)

Agricultural Council of California
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1902
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Afl-cio
Associated Equipment Distributors
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California
Burbank Water and Power
CA Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
Caldesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Building Industry Association
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fire Chiefs Association
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain and Feed Association
California Groundwater Coalition
California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
California Manufacturers & Technology Association

California-Nevada American Water Works Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Floral Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Canyon Lake; City of

Ca-Nv American Water Works Association
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Murrieta
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Riverside Public Utilities
City of Roseville
City of Thousand Oaks
Coachella Valley Water District
Community Water Systems Alliance
Contra Costa Water District
County of Fresno
County of Monterey
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Fire Districts Association of California
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Grassland Water District
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
Hdr Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Los Angeles County Business Federation (BIZFED)
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
Mcmullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Monday Morning Group of Riverside
Monte Vista Water District
Monterey One Water
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Gorgonio PASS Water Agency
San Juan Water District
San Luis Delta-mendota Water Authority
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency
Santa Margarita Water District
Solano County Water Agency
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Rental Housing Association
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
Srcar
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Sweetwater Authority
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
United Water Conservation District
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California (UCC)
Utica Water and Power Authority
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Advocacy Fund
Water Replenishment District
Watereuse California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Canal Water District
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health Association
Westlands Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/23/25)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “[a] reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California's economy and to the quality of life for all Californians. While intermittent storms can give California a reprieve; prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, more frequent and severe wildfires, population and economic growth, antiquated state policies and climate change impacts present unique challenges that threaten the survival of entire communities and sectors of the economy. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. SB 72 would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. SB 72 would require that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important and timely part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: Writing in opposition, the Mono Lake Committee argues that the “bill is ‘solving’ a problem that doesn’t exist, and in a way that distracts from the greater water issues facing the state” and points to several issues with the bill: (1) “the 9 [MAF] target for 2040 is significantly higher than reported in the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy,” (2) “establishing a planning objective for increasing water supply and reducing water demand but not the other water management objectives [makes] increasing water supply the primary objective over the other six objectives,” and (3) “focusing on water supply targets is focusing on the most expensive options for developing a more reliable and resilient water system.” According to the Mono Lake Committee, “[w]e already have a water affordability problem in many parts of the state. Prioritizing these higher cost options will make the affordability problem just that much worse.”

Prepared by: Genevieve Wong / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

5/25/25 13:11:58

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

SB 72 (Caballero) - The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

Bill Summary:

This bill would revise the contents of the California Water Plan—which is updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR)—as well as require DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establish an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and require that each plan update includes specified components.

Fiscal Impact:

• The Department of Water Resources (DWR) estimates one-time costs of about $17 million spread over the first 5 years and ongoing costs of about $3.4 million annually (General Fund) for DWR to expand investigations and modeling of the state’s ten hydrologic regions, develop future supply targets in open processes, and develop comprehensive libraries of local projects with estimated benefits, among other things.
• Unknown costs (General Fund or special fund) for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to implement the provisions of this bill.
• Unknown, potentially significant cost pressure (General Fund, special fund, or bond funds) for projects and activities to meet goals and implement strategies identified in the Water Plan or by DWR as a result of this bill in order to address the state’s water needs and/or meet water supply targets.
• Unknown but likely minor and absorbable costs for the California Water Commission (CWC) to coordinate with DWR.

Background:

The California Water Plan (Water Plan) “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Water Code §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Water Code §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, the DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Water Code §§10004.5, 10004.6). The next update is scheduled for this year.

According to DWR’s website, the development of the Water Plan dates back to the late 1800s. The first plan, which covered ideas for water distribution in the state, was put together in 1873. Subsequent reports (plans) were issued through the decades as DWR bulletins.

The initial Water Plan (known as Bulletin 3) was released in 1957 and was intended for “control, protection, conservation, distribution, and utilization of all the waters of California, to meet present and future needs for all beneficial uses and purposes in all areas of the state to the maximum feasible extent.”

Bulletin 3 and subsequent updates were mostly technical documents focused on water supply development. Over time, the plans were gradually expanded to reflect the growing conflicts over California’s limited water resources.

Since the 1998 update, the Water Plan has moved from a technical document focused on water supply development to an evaluation of options for addressing significant water issues in California.

California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, Governor Newsom released this strategy to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change. To address this shortfall, the strategy includes:

• Creating storage space for up to 4 MAF of water, allowing the state to capitalize on big storms when they do occur and store water for dry periods.
• Recycle and reuse at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030, enabling better and safer use of wastewater currently discharged to the ocean.
• Freeing up 500,000 acre-feet of water through more efficient water use and conservation, helping make up for water lost due to climate change.
• Making new water available for use by capturing stormwater and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwater basins, diversifying supplies and making the most of high flows during storm events.

Proposed Law:

This bill would revise the contents of the California Water Plan, require DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establish an interim target to develop an additional 9 million AF of water, and require that each plan update includes specified components. In particular, this bill would:

1. Require DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Require DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Require DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), other local, state, and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, labor representatives from public agencies involved in critical water infrastructure, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Require DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and require DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Add to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Require DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Require each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs on regional bases.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs, benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
8. Require DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management; current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells; and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. As a part of the 2028 update, require DWR to include an interim planning target of 9 MAF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Provide that the target may be achieved through strategies, including, but not limited to, a combination of the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies.
   
10. As a part of the 2033 update, require DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, as specified; ensure safe drinking water for all Californians; and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Require DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.
    1. Provide that nothing in this paragraph shall require the state water board or regional boards to update water quality control plans in order for the department to update the required planning target.
       
11. Make various findings and declarations about the need to update the Water Plan.

Related Legislation:

AB 1367 (Gallagher, 2025) would require DWR to amend the Water Plan to state that water storage is the preferred method to be used by the state to meet increased demands by urban, agricultural, and environmental interests.

SB 366 (Caballero, 2023) would have revised the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by DWR, would have required DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, would have established an interim target to develop an additional 9 million AF of water, and would have required that each plan update includes certain specified components. SB 366 was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 659 (Ashby, Chapter 624, Statutes of 2023) requires DWR, as part of the 2028 update to the California Water Plan, and each subsequent update thereafter to the plan, to provide actionable recommendations to develop additional groundwater recharge opportunities that increase the recharge of the state’s groundwater basins.

AB 62 (Mathis, 2023) would have established a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3.7 MAF by the year 2030 and a total of 4.0 MAF by the year 2040. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on the suspense file.

AB 638 (Gray, 2019) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to identify water storage facilities vulnerable to climate change impacts and the mitigation strategies for anticipated adverse impacts. AB 638 was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 1259 (Pavley, 2014) would have required DWR, when updating the California Water Plan, to release estimated loss of storage capacity behind dams resulting from sedimentation. SB 1256 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations.

AB 2463 (Dickinson, 2014) would have required DWR to partner with Regional Water Authority, certain water suppliers, and other interested agencies to develop a plan for investing in water supplies and other facilities in the Sacramento region, as specified. AB 2463 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations..

SB 846 (Berryhill, 2011) would have required DWR, when updating the California Water Plan, to identify and evaluate tools that would collect, centralize, standardize, and analyze available water information throughout the state in a timely manner and requires DWR to include a discussion of advance data acquisition technologies and outline strategies to utilize that information to improve efficiency of water resource management. SB 846 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations..

AB 1002 (Butler, 2011) would have required DWR to include in the California Water Plan a discussion of strategies relating to stormwater recovery. AB 1002 was not heard in its first policy committee.

AB 1187 (Fong, 2011) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to include a specified safe drinking water plan, as specified, and would have required DWR to release assumptions and estimates for current and projected unmet safe drinking water needs. AB 1187 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations.

SB 1469 (Simitian, 2010) would have required DWR, as a part of its update to the California Water Plan, commencing with the 2013 update, to identify the infrastructure needs for the state, by hydrologic region, over the next 30 years, and estimate the expected costs associated with environmental mitigation and restoration projects over the next 30 years, among others. SB 1469 was held on the Suspense File in this committee.

AB 1886 (Yamada, 2010) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to include a report on progress toward meeting the goal of reducing reliance on the Delta in meeting California’s future water supply needs. AB 1886 was held on the Suspense File in the Assembly Appropriations.

AB 2270 (Laird, 2008), among other things, would have required DWR to include revised statewide recycling targets in the California Water Plan. AB 2270 was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 672 (Machado, Chapter 320, Statutes of 2001) requires DWR to include in the California Water Plan a report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.

Staff Comments:

DWR reports that it currently spends about $4.5 million annually on developing and updating the Water Plan, with $3.4 million from the General Fund, and about $1.1 million in data and investigations from the State Water Project. In addition to these direct expenditures, DWR estimates that about $3.3 million in in-kind participation and data sharing is expended by partner state agencies.

DWR reports that new additional costs from this bill would be $6.8 million (2024 dollars) per year for the first five years, with $3.4 million (2024 dollars) of that ongoing beginning in BY+5.

Specific costs would include:

• $2.1 million annually for five years to develop future supply targets in open processes and build a model to assess the ability for California’s water system to meet those targets. Additionally, to expand investigations and modeling of the State's ten hydrologic regions and to discuss environmental, urban, and agricultural needs.
• $2.4 million to develop comprehensive libraries of local projects with estimated benefits, and to produce adaptation strategies statewide.
• $250,000 to coordinate with the California Water Commission and the Advisory Committee.
• $2.05M integration of water balances with water budgets to better understand current conditions, pilot projects to improve urban data accuracy, wall-to-wall statewide land use, and tracking of recycled and reused water.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Monique Limón, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: SB Hearing Date: April 8, 2025

Subject: The California Water Plan: long-term supply targets

SUMMARY

This bill would revise the contents of the California Water Plan, which is updated every five years by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), require DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, establish an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and require that each plan update includes specified components.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

The California Water Plan. According to DWR, the “California Water Plan [Water Plan] is the State’s strategic plan for sustainably managing and developing water resources for current and future generations.” The Water Plan “is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.” (Water Code (Wat. C.) §10005(a)). Additionally, this declaration “does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall [it] be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.” (Wat. C. §10005(b)).

As a part of updating the Water Plan every five years, DWR is required to include a discussion of various strategies, including those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be used to meet the future water needs of the state. DWR is also required to conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §§10004.5, 10004.6). The last update was released in April 2024.

According to DWR’s website, the development of the Water Plan dates back to the late 1800s. The first plan, which covered ideas for water distribution in the state, was put together in 1873. Subsequent reports (plans) were issued through the decades as DWR bulletins.

The initial Water Plan (known as Bulletin 3) was released in 1957 and was intended for the “control, protection, conservation, distribution, and utilization of all the waters of California, to meet present and future needs for all beneficial uses and purposes in all areas of the state to the maximum feasible extent.”

Bulletin 3 and subsequent updates were mostly technical documents focused on water supply development. Over time, the plans were gradually expanded to reflect the growing conflicts over California’s limited water resources.

California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate. In August 2022, the Newsom Administration released California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter Drier Climate (Water Supply Strategy), a multi-agency strategy document to address a projected 10% decrease in water supply (6–9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water per year) by 2040 due to climate change.^[1] To address this potential decrease in water, the Water Supply Strategy targeted certain actions, including:

• Expanded water storage: 4 MAF of surface water and groundwater storage.
• New supply: 2.4 MAF to be achieved through increased water recycling (approximately 1.82 MAF), desalination (84,000 AF), and stormwater capture (500,000 AF)
• Demand reduction: 500,000 AF through increased water conservation.

Thus, the Water Supply Strategy identifies 2.9 MAF of “new” water (water recycling, desalination, stormwater capture, and increased supplies from conservation) and 4 MAF of increased storage capacity, for a total of about 7 MAF, to “close the evaporative gap.” However, the Water Supply Strategy notes that “additional storage capacity does not equate to a similar volume of new water supply”^[2] and that there is a distinction between “new water” and expanded storage. Even if water storage is expanded to adapt to climate change, it will only be filled when water is available. Additionally, the use of the storage, and the water in it, must be consistent with existing water rights, water quality standards, and other regulations.

Water Plan 2023 Update (2023 Update). DWR released the final version of the 2023 Update to the California Water Plan in April 2024. The 2023 Update builds on existing water policies, laws and regulations, and initiatives and investments of the Newsom Administration’s Water Resilience Portfolio,^[3] Water Supply Strategy,^[4] and recent legislation. The 2023 Update indicates that total “applied” water use (urban, irrigated agriculture, and environmental water) ranged from 64.2 MAF to 90.6 MAF between the years 2016 and 2020.

The 2023 Update includes a broad set of resource management strategies (RMSes) – water-related management techniques, programs, or policies – to help local and Tribal agencies and governments improve their watershed and regional sustainability and resilience. The RMSes are intended to be a set of tools that can be mix and matched to achieve benefits across water sectors and are organized under 8 primary water management objects. These management objectives are:

• Reduce water demand;
• Improve operational efficiency and transfers;
• Increase water supply;
• Improve flood management;
• Improve water quality;
• Practice resource stewardship;
• People and water; and
• Other strategies.

Existing law:

1. States that it is the established policy of the state that the Water Plan, as amended, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. DWR is required to update the Water Plan every 5 years. (Water Code (Wat. C.) §§10004 et seq.)
2. Requires DWR, as a part of updating the Water Plan, among other things, to:
   1. Establish an advisory committee, comprised of representatives of agricultural and urban water suppliers, local government, business, production agriculture, and environmental interests, and other interested parties, to assist DWR in the updating of the Water Plan. (Wat. C. §10004(b)(2))
   2. Conduct a study to determine the amount of water needed to meet the state’s future needs and to recommend programs, policies, and facilities to meet those needs. (Wat. C. §10004.6(a))
   3. Include in the plan a discussion of strategies to meet the state’s future water needs, including:
      1. Those relating to the development of new water storage facilities, water conservation, water recycling, desalination, conjunctive use, and water transfers that may be pursued in order to meet the future water needs of the state. (Wat. C. §10004.5)
      2. The potential advantages and disadvantages of each strategy and an identification of all federal and state permits, approvals, or entitlements that are anticipated to be required in order to implement the various components of the strategy. (Wat. C. §10004.5)
3. Requires DWR, one year before issuing each update to the Water Plan, to release a preliminary draft of the assumptions and other estimates upon which the study will be based, to interested persons and entities throughout the state for their review and comments. Current law prescribes a broad list of subjects on which DWR is required to release those assumptions and estimates. These include topics such as hydrology, groundwater conditions, land use patterns, conservation practices, environmental water needs, demographic projections, etc. (Wat. C. §10004.6(c))
4. Requires DWR to conduct a series of noticed hearings with interested persons, organizations, local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives of the diverse geographical areas and interests of the state. (Wat. C. §10005.1)
5. Declares that the people of the state have a primary interest in the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, and utilization of the water resources of the state by all individuals and entities and that it is the policy of the state that the Water Plan, with any necessary amendments, supplements, and additions to the plan, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management, and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state.
6. Provides that the above declaration does not constitute approval for the construction of specific projects or routes for transfer of water, or for financial assistance, by the state, without further legislative action, nor shall the declaration be construed as a prohibition of the development of the water resources of the state by any entity.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would update provisions of the Water Plan, commencing with the 2028 update, to be a comprehensive plan for addressing the state’s water needs and meeting water supply targets established by the bill. Specifically, this bill would:

1. Require DWR to develop a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources that will provide an update on the status and trends of California’s water-dependent natural resources, water supplies, and its agricultural, urban, and environmental water demands.
   
2. Require DWR to update the Water Plan on or before December 31, 2028, and every five years thereafter.
   
3. Require DWR to coordinate with the California Water Commission (CWC), State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), other state and federal agencies, and the stakeholder advisory committee, which would be expanded by the bill to include representatives of tribes, labor representatives from building and construction trades, labor representatives from public agencies involved in critical water infrastructure, and environmental justice interests, to develop the Water Plan.
   
4. Require DWR to release a preliminary draft of the Water Plan, as updated, upon request, to interested parties for review and comment and require DWR to consider these comments in preparation of the final publication of the Water Plan, as updated.
   
5. Add to the list of strategies that DWR is required to discuss when updating the plan to include groundwater recharge, conveyance, stormwater transfer, and demand management activities
   
6. Require DWR to conduct public workshops when preparing an update to the Water Plan to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan.
   
7. Require each update to include the following components:
   1. Discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs.
   2. Summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.
   3. Discussion of the estimated costs and benefits of any project type or action that is recommended by DWR within the plan that could help achieve the water supply targets.
   4. A report on the development of regional and local water projects within each hydrologic region of the state undertaken to improve water supplies to meet municipal, agricultural, and environmental water needs and minimize the need to import water from other hydrologic regions.
      
8. Require DWR, in addition to the assumptions and estimates DWR is required to release before updating the Water Plan, to also release assumptions and estimates relating to opportunities for demand management; current and projected water and infrastructure needs of disadvantaged communities served by public water systems, state small water systems, and individual domestic wells; and climate change impacts by region and resulting water supply trends, including changes in timing and intensity of snowmelt runoff.
   
9. As a part of the 2028 update, require DWR to include an interim planning target of 9 MAF of additional water, water conservation, or water storage capacity to be achieved by 2040. Provide that the target may be achieved through strategies, including, but not limited to, a combination of the development of new or expanded surface or groundwater storage, conservation efforts, or the development of stormwater capture, graywater, recycled water, or other water supplies
   
10. As a part of the 2033 update, require DWR to update the required planning target and requires subsequent updates to include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. Require the target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment; recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s resources; consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment; ensure safe drinking water for all Californians; and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. Require DWR to analyze current and future water trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources.
    
11. Make various findings and declarations about the need to update the Water Plan.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “[a] reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California's economy and to the quality of life for all Californians. While intermittent storms can give California a reprieve; prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, more frequent and severe wildfires, population and economic growth, antiquated state policies and climate change impacts present unique challenges that threaten the survival of entire communities and sectors of the economy. Despite decades of work to improve California's water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. SB 72 would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. SB 72 would require that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important and timely part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.”

According to a coalition letter representing agricultural groups, water agencies, and various chambers of commerce, among others: “there is an urgent need for California to develop aspirational targets that will complement and amplify Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy and extend beyond any single Administration. … Recent research estimates a shortfall in California’s future water supply between 4.6 and 9 million acre-feet annually by 2050 if the state takes no action. SB 72 will bring the fundamental changes that are necessary to ensure a sustainable water future. SB 72 will do the following:

• Transform water management in California taking us from a perpetual state of supply vulnerability to a reliable and sufficient water supply that is adequate for all beneficial uses, including urban, agriculture, and the environment.
• Create a new “North Star” water supply planning target for 2040 that the state will need to work toward, along with a process to develop a target for 2050.
• Preserve the California way of life, supplying water to our homes and communities, habitat and environment, recreation and tourism, and business and economic success.
• Support economic vitality for all businesses, from restaurants to technology companies, and employers that depend on a reliable water supply.
• Fulfill the generational responsibility to develop a water system that will adapt to changes in the environment and allow the state to thrive now and for future generations.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

Writing in opposition, a coalition group comprised of Defenders of Wildlife, Restore the Delta, Sierra Club California, Planning and Conservation League, and Friends of the River, amongst others, argues that the “arbitrary new water supply target” ignores “the need for water to remain in California’s rivers to native fish and wildlife, and the Tribes, communities, and fishing jobs that depend on healthy rivers.” According to the letter, the bill “undermines the [State Water Board’s] role as the lead agency in planning and managing all water in California, and it appears to be inconsistent with the Delta Reform Act of 2009.” The group argues that water supply targets that “will require increasing unsustainable water diversions from the Bay-Delta. […] By establishing a planning objective for increasing water supply and reducing water demand, but not the other water management objectives, this bill is making increasingly water supply the primary objective with no consideration of the need for water to remain in California’s rivers to protect the environment or state policy to reduce reliance on the Delta (e.g., the Delta Reform Act). Focusing on water supply targets is prioritizing the most expensive options for developing a more reliable and resilient water system. California already struggles with water affordability in many parts of the state.”

The coalition group also asserts that the State Water Board should be the lead agency in developing strategies to meet the targets because “existing law charges the State Water Board with balancing and managing all uses of water. Without consideration of environmental flows and other beneficial uses, SB 72’s planning effort will identify infeasible and unsustainable projects that are not cost-effective.”

Also writing in opposition, the Mono Lake Committee asserts that “prioritizing these higher cost options will make the affordability problem just that much worse” and further points out that even if bond funding is used to address the cost issue, “that simply shifts the costs to the taxpayers and potentially crowds out funding other worthwhile general funded programs and projects.” The letter further argues that it is unclear what is meant by “water needs” and that “it is hard to … establish numeric targets to meet our water needs without first defining just what those needs are.” And finally, on water supply strategies, the Mono Lake Committee points out that while SB 72 requires DWR to include a discussion of various strategies to meet the future needs and water supply targets, the 10 specific strategies that are mentioned “are all water agency driven strategies and therefore ignore various water user strategies and change of use strategies” such as rainwater capture, grey water, water efficiency, and operational improvements.

COMMENTS

Take two. This bill is substantially similar to SB 366 (Caballero, 2023). The differences between this bill and SB 366 are:

• SB 366 required DWR to offer regional water quality control boards opportunities to provide input to assist the department in updating the plan.
  

This bill does not include this requirement.

• SB 366 required the planning target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses and to consider ways to support a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, among other things.

This bill instead requires the planning target to consider the identified and future water needs for a sustainable urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, among other things.

• This bill would additionally require a labor representative from public agencies involved in critical water infrastructure be appointed to the advisory committee.
• This bill would specify that the planning target can be achieved through conservation efforts including implementation of the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulations.

Beneficial uses. One of the changes between this bill and SB 366 is eliminating the term “beneficial uses” and instead specifically referring to the urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment. According to information provided by the sponsors, this change was made to address concerns that requiring the planning target to consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses would require the State Water Board to update its regional water quality control plans. Because “beneficial use” is used by the State Water Board in its water quality considerations for water quality control plans, it was thought that the State Water Board might be required to update those plans, which was not the author’s intent. However, according to the State Water Board, it was the use of “designated beneficial uses” that could have triggered the need to update regional water quality control plans.

By specifically referring to the urban sector, agricultural sector, and environment, a concern is raised that other beneficial uses, such as tribal uses and recreational uses, amongst others, could be left out.

The committee may wish to amend the bill to refer to beneficial uses, specify examples of beneficial uses, and specify that in order for DWR to update the 2050 planning target, the State Water Board or regional board is not required to update these plans. When amending that provision, the committee may also wish to make a technical change to reorganize that paragraph. See Amendment 1.

Why 9 MAF? SB 72 contains an interim planning target of 9 MAF of additional water, water conservation, or storage capacity for 2040, which was carried over from SB 366. However, as discussed above, and discussed by the Mono Lake Committee in its letter, the Water Supply Strategy, and the 2023 Update which is built upon that strategy, identifies 7 MAF to fill the projected supply gap. This includes about 2.9 MAF for “new supplies,” which includes additional water through increased recycled water, desalination production, stormwater capture, and conservation, and 4 MAF in expanded above and below ground storage.

However, according to The Magnitude of California’s Water Challenges, commissioned by the California Municipal Utilities Association, one of the co-sponsors of the bill, “Total reduction in average water availability in the coming decades will likely range from 4.6 to 9 million acre-feet per year.”

Because there appears to be discrepancy between the 7 MAF needed to fill the supply gap identified by the 2023 Update and the 9 MAF identified as the 2040 interim planning target, a question has been raised as to the appropriateness of the 9 MAF target and if it is too high.

A recent San Diego Union Tribune article hints at the potential consequences of having an interim planning target that is set too high. An article^[5] titled, “How expensive will water get? County officials won’t say, but they expect a sizable rate hike,” discussed a potential substantial water rate hike by the San Diego County Water Authority. County water officials said that “financial challenges they face may force them to substantially raise rates for wholesale water next year, a move that would lead to higher water bills across much of the county.” The officials stressed that their discussions were preliminary, no decision is scheduled until June, and that many variables could change before that time, including deals for excess supplies. However, “[w]ater authority officials say the fundamental problem they face is that they borrowed money to build and maintain a significantly larger water storage and delivery system than is now needed. Officials expected demand to continually grow as population rose and development expanded, but member agencies have been buying steadily less wholesale water during the last two decades.”

A question arises as to if a supply target, even if aspirational, is set too high, could it encourage the investment in water storage and delivery systems that are ultimately bigger than what is needed? The author may want to consider alternative approaches to establishing the 2040 interim planning target. Such alternatives could include (1) instead directing DWR to develop the interim target at the next Water Plan update in 2028, or (2) changing the changing the interim target to 5 MAF for 2030 to match what is in the 2023 Update and instead requiring DWR to establish a 2040 target in the 2028 Water Plan Update.

Delta Conveyance Project. Although not in opposition to the bill, the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC), which represents the five counties that comprise the California Delta, has expressed concern that SB 72, as written, is not neutral when it comes to the Delta Conveyance Project (DCP). There is currently litigation over the DCP and DCC is concerned that current language in SB 72 could be used as evidence for the Legislature’s support of the project.

According to background information provided by the author, “neither SB 72 nor the Water Plan mandates specific projects, authorizing spending for specific projects, or makes project- or site-specific recommendations.”

The DCC has requested a number of amendments that it believes will help ensure that the Water Plan is DCP-neutral. The committee may wish to adopt some of these amendments, as described below:

• Add local agencies to the list of consulting agencies that DWR is required to coordinate with when developing the plan. See Amendment 2.
• Amend subdivision (g) of the findings to instead say that hotter and drier weather may diminish our existing water supply. See Amendment 4.
• Amend subdivision (h) of the findings to state that “A 10-percent loss of water supplies could mean the disappearance of about 6,000,000 acre-feet to 9,000,000 acre-feet of water.” See Amendment 4.
• Amend subdivision (q) of the findings to delete references to Silicon Valley and southern California’s biotech industry. See Amendment 4.
• Amend subdivision (u) of the findings relating to the Governor’s Water Supply Strategy to remove the last half of the sentence. See Amendment 4.

A well balanced bill. The Water Plan is intended to be a comprehensive, strategic plan for the sustainable management and stewardship of California’s water resources. The committee may wish to amend the bill to incorporate the following changes, which are intended add to its comprehensiveness:

• Add regions that have been impacted most by flood to DWR’s consideration of workshop locations when updating the Water Plan. See Amendment 3.
• Require the discussion of environmental needs, urban sector water needs, and agricultural water needs to be on a regional basis. See Amendment 3.
• Add a discussion of impacts of the project types or actions or actions recommended by DWR to the discussion of costs and benefits. See Amendment 3.

The Water Plan is intended to be neutral. Questions have arisen as to whether the bill favors certain management objectives or specific projects. As discussed above, DCC has concerns that the bill is not DCP-neutral. Additionally, it has been argued that the bill, by drawing special attention to just one management objective (water supply) and establishing a goal for that objective and not the others, inappropriately diminishes the importance of the other six objectives.

Last year, the author submitted a letter to the Senate Journal that stated, “The California Water Plan is the State’s strategic plan for sustainably managing and developing water resources for current and future generations. The California Water Plan does not mandate projects or authorize spending and does not make project- or site-specific recommendations. Nothing in SB 366 changes this process nor endorses any specific water project.”^[6]

Despite the author maintaining that the intent is for the Water Plan to be neutral, various groups remain concerned.

To help alleviate these concerns, the author may wish to codify language that would expressly state that the Water Plan does not endorse or recommend specific projects nor imply that one resource management strategy or management objective is of greater importance than another.

Amendments to Findings and Declarations. Findings and declarations can be an important tool to help demonstrate Legislative intent and provide historical context. To ensure that the findings and declarations accompanying this bill are comprehensive of the existing circumstances, the committee may wish to amend some of the findings and declarations as follows:

• Amend subdivision (c) to provide that California has one of the most intricate and elaborate system of water conveyance in the world. See Amendment 4.
• Amend subdivision (e) to also include that legislative action has helped contribute to the decline of per capita water use. See Amendment 4.
• Amend subdivision (j) to include information about the statewide groundwater overdraft estimation according to Bulletin 118 (2020) and to add more context regarding California central valley groundwater overdraft. See Amendment 4.

Veto message of SB 366. In his veto message, Governor Newsom stated, in part:

“While I appreciate the author's intent, this bill would create substantial ongoing costs for DWR, the State Water Resources Control Board, and other state agencies and departments to assist in the development of water supply planning targets. A revision to the Plan of this magnitude, that creates such significant costs, must be considered in the context of the annual budget.

In partnership with the Legislature this year, my Administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep program cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.”

It is unclear if the changes that have been made to this bill from last year’s SB 366 are enough to address the Governor’s fiscal concerns. To address this concern, the author has submitted a California Water Plan Budget Request to Senate and Assembly Budget Committees, which includes $6.8 million in ongoing funds for the first five years and $3.4 million ongoing funds thereafter for DWR to update and modernize the Water Plan and develop long-term targets for the state’s future water supply.

Related legislation
AB 1367 (Gallagher, 2025) would require DWR to amend the Water Plan to state that water storage is the preferred method to be used by the state to meet increased demands by urban, agricultural, and environmental interests. This bill is pending in the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee.

SB 366 (Caballero, 2023) would have revised the California Water Plan, currently updated every five years by DWR, would have required DWR to develop a long-term water supply planning target for 2050, would have established an interim target to develop an additional 9 million acre-feet (AF) of water, and would have required that each plan update includes certain specified components. SB 366 was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 659 (Ashby, Chapter 624, Statutes of 2023) requires DWR, as part of the 2028 update to the California Water Plan, and each subsequent update thereafter to the plan, to provide actionable recommendations to develop additional groundwater recharge opportunities that increase the recharge of the state’s groundwater basins.

AB 62 (Mathis, 2023) would have established a statewide goal to increase above- and below-ground water storage capacity by a total of 3.7 MAF by the year 2030 and a total of 4.0 MAF by the year 2040. This bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on the suspense file.

AB 638 (Gray, 2019) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to identify water storage facilities vulnerable to climate change impacts and the mitigation strategies for anticipated adverse impacts. AB 638 was vetoed by the Governor.

SB 1259 (Pavley, 2014) would have required DWR, when updating the California Water Plan, to release estimated loss of storage capacity behind dams resulting from sedimentation. SB 1256 was held in Assembly Appropriations Committee on suspense.

AB 2463 (Dickinson, 2014) would have required DWR to partner with Regional Water Authority, certain water suppliers, and other interested agencies to develop a plan for investing in water supplies and other facilities in the Sacramento region, as specified. AB 2463 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on suspense.

SB 846 (Berryhill, 2011) would have required DWR, when updating the California Water Plan, to identify and evaluate tools that would collect, centralize, standardize, and analyze available water information throughout the state in a timely manner and requires DWR to include a discussion of advance data acquisition technologies and outline strategies to utilize that information to improve efficiency of water resource management. SB 846 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB 1187 (Fong, 2011) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to include a specified safe drinking water plan, as specified, and would have required DWR to release assumptions and estimates for current and projected unmet safe drinking water needs. AB 1187 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on suspense.

SB 1469 (Simitian, 2010) would have required DWR, as a part of its update to the California Water Plan, commencing with the 2013 update, to identify the infrastructure needs for the state, by hydrologic region, over the next 30 years, and estimate the expected costs associated with environmental mitigation and restoration projects over the next 30 years, among others. SB 1469 was held in Senate Appropriations Committee on suspense.

AB 1886 (Yamada, 2010) would have required DWR, in updating the California Water Plan, to include a report on progress toward meeting the goal of reducing reliance on the Delta in meeting California’s future water supply needs. AB 1886 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on suspense.

AB 2270 (Laird, 2008), among other things, would have required DWR to include revised statewide recycling targets in the California Water Plan. AB 2270 was vetoed by the Governor

SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT 1

Amend Water Code Section 10004.6(a)(2) as follows:

(2) As part of the 2033 update to The California Water Plan, the department shall update the required planning target pursuant to subdivision (f) for 2050. Subsequent updates of the plan shall include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale. The target shall consider the identified and future water needs for all beneficial uses, including but not limited to a sustainable urban uses sector, agricultural uses sector, recreational uses, tribal uses, and the environment, recognize the impacts of climate change on the state’s water resources, ensure safe drinking water for all Californians, and reflect statewide, regional, and local planning efforts. In establishing the long-term supply target, the department shall analyze current and future water needs trends, including identifying additional water necessary to sustain public trust resources. Nothing in this paragraph shall require the state board or regional boards to update water quality control plans in order for the department to update the required planning target described in subdivision (f).

(3) Subsequent updates of the plan shall include a range of water supply targets that consider future scenarios with a 50-year planning horizon at a watershed scale.

AMENDMENT 2

Amend Water Code Section 10004(f) as follows:

(f) The department shall coordinate with the California Water Commission, the board, other local, state, and federal agencies as appropriate, and the advisory committee to develop the plan.

AMENDMENT 3

Amend Water Code Section 10004.5 as follows:

10004.5. (a) …

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(b) In preparing any update of The California Water Plan, the department shall conduct a series of public workshops to give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the plan. The department shall select workshop locations to maximize geographic distribution, to ensure that regions of the state that have been impacted the most by drought, flood, and other weather extremes are included, and to ensure the workshops are accessible to communities with minority populations, communities with minority populations, communities with low-income populations, or both.

(c) Each update of the plan shall include, at a minimum, all of the following components:

(1) A discussion of environmental needs on a regional basis. The department’s discussion shall rely on the best available peer-reviewed scientific information.

(2) A discussion of urban sector water needs on a regional basis.

(3) A discussion of agricultural water needs on a regional basis.

(4) A summary of sources that could finance project types or actions within the various strategies.

(5) A discussion of the estimated costs, and benefits, and impacts of any project type or action that is recommended by the department … .

AMENDMENT 4

Amend Section 1 of the bill as follows:

(c) California has one of the most intricate and elaborate system systems of water conveyance in the world.

(d) …

(e) Per capita water use has declined over time, thanks to a conservation ethic encouraged by water agencies and other stakeholders, water-saving indoor plumbing fixtures and appliances, better leak detection, and efforts to reduce outdoor water use, and legislative action.

(f) …

(g) According to the Department of Water Resources, hotter and drier weather is estimated to may diminish our existing water supply even further and likely by 10 percent.

(h) A 10-percent loss of water supplies could mean the disappearance of about 6,000,000 acre-feet to 9,000,000 acre-feet of water supply.

(i) …

(j) According to the Department of Water Resource’s Bulletin 118 (2020), statewide groundwater overdraft is estimated to be between 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 acre-feet of water per year. Additionally, in a Public Policy Institute of California blog post from March 11, 2020, titled “A Reality Check on Groundwater Overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley,” The the California central valley has a groundwater overdraft of 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 2,400,000 acre-feet of water.

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(q) California is home to cutting-edge job-creating industries, such as those in Silicon Valley and southern California’s biotech industry.

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(u) Governor Gavin Newsom released “California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” in August 2022 that began to outline strategies for increasing California’s water supply and streamlining approvals, but California must make a historic change in the state’s comprehensive water plan and how water is provided for environmental, residential, business, and agricultural uses.

SUPPORT

California Council for Environmental & Economic Balance (CCEEB) (co-sponsor)

California Municipal Utilities Association (co-sponsor)

California State Association of Counties (CSAC) (co-sponsor)

Agricultural Council of California

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1902

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
Associated Equipment Distributors
Association of California Egg Farmers
Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA)
Bay Area Council
Bellflower Somerset Mutual Water Company
BizFed - Los Angeles County
Black Voice News
Brea Chamber of Commerce
Building Industry Association of Southern California
Burbank Water and Power
CA Cotton Ginners & Growers Association
CA-NV American Water Works Association
CalDesal
California Alfalfa & Forage Association
California Alliance for Golf
California Apple Commission
California Association of Realtors
California Association of Sanitation Agencies
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Blueberry Association
California Building Industry Association (CBIA)
California Business Roundtable
California Chamber of Commerce
California Citrus Mutual
California Farm Bureau
California Farm Water Coalition
California Fire Chiefs Association
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Grain and Feed Association
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
California Manufacturers and Technology Association
California Pear Growers Association
California Seed Association
California Special Districts Association
California State Association of Counties
California State Floral Association
California Walnuts
California Warehouse Association
California Water Association
California Women for Agriculture
Calleguas Municipal Water District
Camrosa Water District
Canyon Lake; City of
Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce
City of Corona
City of Hemet
City of Jurupa Valley
City of Lake Elsinore
City of Murrieta
City of Ontario
City of Riverside
City of Riverside Public Utilities
City of Roseville
Coachella Valley Water District
Community Water Systems Alliance
Contra Costa Water District
County of Riverside
Cucamonga Valley Water District
Desert Water Agency
Dublin Chamber of Commerce
East Bay Leadership Council
Eastern Municipal Water District
Economic Development Coalition
El Dorado Irrigation District
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
Fire Districts Association of California
Folsom Chamber of Commerce
Friant Water Authority
Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce
Grower-shipper Association
HDR Engineering, INC.
Industrial Environmental Association
Inland Empire Utilities Agency
Irvine Ranch Water District
Jurupa Community Services District
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
Kings River Conservation District
Kings River Water Association
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
League of California Cities
Mammoth Lakes Tourism
Mcmullin Area Groundwater Sustainability Agency
Mesa Water District
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Mid-peninsula Water District
Milk Producers Council
Modesto Irrigation District
Monday Morning Group of Riverside
Monte Vista Water District
Monterey One Water
Mountain Counties Water Resources Association
Municipal Water District of Orange County
Murrieta Wildomar Chamber of Commerce
National Federation of Independent Business
North Bay Leadership Council
Northern California Water Association
Olive Growers Council of California
Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Orange County Water District
Pacific Coast Renderers Association
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Palmdale Water District
Puente Basin Water Agency
Rancho California Water District
Rebuild Socal Partnership
Regional Water Authority
Rowland Water District
Rubidoux Community Services District
Rubio Canon Land and Water Association
Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
San Diego County Water Authority
San Gabriel County Water District
San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Gorgonio PASS Water Agency
San Juan Water District
San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority
Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority
Santa Margarita Water District
Solano County Water Agency
South California Rental Housing Association
South San Joaquin Irrigation District
Southern California Water Coalition
Southwest California Legislative Council
SRCAR
State Water Contractors
Stockton East Water District
Temescal Valley Water District
Three Valleys Municipal Water District
Trabuco Canyon Water District
Turlock Irrigation District
United Ag
United Water Conservation District
Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District
Urban Counties of California (UCC)
Utica Water and Power Authority
Valley Ag Water Coalition
Valley Center Municipal Water District
Valley County Water District
Valley Water
Walnut Valley Water District
Water Replenishment District of Southern California
WateReuse California
West Basin Municipal Water District
West Valley Water District
Western Agricultural Processors Association
Western Canal Water District
Western Growers Association
Western Municipal Water District
Western Plant Health Association
Westlands Water District
Zone 7 Water Agency

OPPOSITION

California Outdoors
Defenders of Wildlife
Friends of The River
Golden Gate Salmon Association
Mono Lake Committee
Planning and Conservation League
Resource Renewal Institute
Restore the Delta
San Francisco Baykeeper
Sierra Club California
South Yuba River Citizens League
Tuolumne River Trust

-- END --

1. DWR estimates a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040. ↑

2. California Water Plan, Update 2023, page 4-4. https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/California-Water-Plan/Docs/Update2023/Final/California-Water-Plan-Update-2023.pdf [accessed March 21, 2025] ↑

3. The Water Resilience Portfolio is “the Administration’s blueprint for equipping California to cope with more extreme droughts and floods and rising temperatures, while addressing long-standing challenges that include declining fish populations, over-reliance on groundwater and lack of safe drinking water in many communities.” https://resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Building-Water-Resilience/portfolio [last accessed March 21, 2025] ↑

4. California Water Plan, Update 2023, page 1-4. ↑

5. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/28/how-expensive-will-water-get-county-officials-wont-say-but-they-expect-a-sizeable-rate-hike/, March 28, 2025 ↑

6. Senate Journal, Aug. 31, 2024, pg. 5809 ↑