Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-APRIL 2025
Spring has arrived, and as the weather warms up across California, so does the conversation around water and infrastructure.
This month, we’re keeping a close eye on several important developments that impact the construction and land development industries:
💧 Snowpack & Runoff: California's snowpack has reached its seasonal peak. As the melt begins, rivers and reservoirs are rising—reminding us of the critical role water plays in our projects, planning, and compliance.
🏛️ Legislative Updates: Lawmakers in Sacramento are reviewing a number of proposed bills focused on water and water quality. If passed and signed by Governor Newsom, this legislation could significantly affect permitting, planning, and operational requirements across the state.
🛠️ National Infrastructure Report Card: The American Society of Civil Engineers has released its latest Infrastructure Report Card. It’s a powerful snapshot of our nation’s public works and a reminder of the ongoing need to invest in and maintain the systems that support our communities and economy.
We’ll continue to monitor developments and keep you informed throughout the season. Stay engaged, stay proactive, and enjoy the start of spring!
APRIL NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
California Snowpack and Water Supply Storage Conditions – April 2025
According to water supply experts, our snowpack is near “normal” compared to historical records. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) reported the April snow survey, the fourth measurement of the season at Phillips Station. The manual survey recorded 39.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 17 inches, which is 70 percent of average for this location. Water manager’s consider the April measurement peak snowpack for the season and marks the transition to spring snowmelt into the state’s rivers and reservoirs.
2025 California Legislative Session Bill Alert: SB 601 (Allen)
Last month we alerted our readers to proposed legislation, which if enacted would impose sweeping changes to California water quality rules and regulations, including changing bedrock elements of the State’s Porter Cologne Water Quality Act. Our legislative analysts who advise the construction and housing industries tell us to be on the look-out for SB 601 (Allen), which would, if enacted greatly increase permitting burdens related to wetlands and water quality regulation via all types of municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permits and the Construction General Permit for stormwater.
Here is a summary of three of the most egregious provisions, greatly expanding the state’s regulatory reach:
1. SB 601 requires industries regulated under section 402(p) of the Clean Water Act (CWA) that are applying to local governments for building or construction permits to prove their enrollment under applicable NPDES permits or Waste Discharge Requirements Orders. Note, this program is already in place for those subject to the State’s Industrial Permit. The bill expands the program to all businesses that would be subject to MS4 permits and the Construction General Permit for stormwater discharges.
2. SB 601 would amend the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne) in a manner that applies the more stringent federal Clean Water Act beneficial use designation, water quality objective setting, permitting regulations, and citizen suit provisions to waters of the State that are no longer WOTUS due to the ruling in Sackett v. EPA, which are labeled Nexus waters in the bill. (Note: non-WOTUS waters of the state are already regulated by water boards and CDFW—there is NO gap in regulation of non-WOTUS waters of the state in California).
3. SB 601 bill would require water boards to impose more stringent effluent limitations/waste discharge requirements in both NPDES permits for discharges to WOTUS and WDRs for discharges to Nexus waters, which is a brand new definition, never before introduced or used in California water code.
Read two different coalition letters opposing SB 601 from state and local government agencies and a host of local and state businesses and trade associations.
American Society of Civil Engineers Releases its Annual Infrastructure “Report Card” for 2025
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) just released their annual 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. According to the ASCE this year’s Report Card “demonstrates that recent federal investments have positively affected many of the infrastructure sectors Americans rely on every day. As a result, incremental improvements were made across some of the historically lowest-graded categories in the Report Card. Almost half of the 18 assessed categories saw increased grades and contributed to an overall grade improvement from C- to C.” This promising result is good news and bodes well for the future if we can maintain momentum to fund improvements to critical infrastructure.
Read the full Report Card and Executive Summary:
