Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-FEBRUARY 2024
This month we highlight new training resources from the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA), designed specifically for the construction industry to train its employees on new requirements of the 2022 Construction General Permit for stormwater. And check out CASQA’s recent comprehensive study examining the socioeconomic impact of capturing more stormwater runoff. Capturing stormwater runoff using regional solutions is often an economical way to create multiple environmental and community benefits, which otherwise would never be realized.
Speaking of capturing more runoff when it rains, the State Water Resources Control Board also just released a report and video titled “California’s Untapped Stormwater Capture Potential.” This new report is a helpful addition to the growing body of scientific and engineering analysis being done to capture every drop of rain we can in California to augment our water supply, while protecting our precious natural environment and resources.
Finally, the California Department of Water Resources just released the second of four annual snow pack surveys, which gives the state essential information in managing our water resource supply in 2024 and beyond. As you will read, we’ve had an under average snowpack so far and need a bunch more snow to even get to average, let alone approach the record setting year we had in 2023.
-Your CICWQ Team
FEBRUARY NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
1) State Water Resources Control Board – 2022 Construction General Permit for Stormwater – New Training Resources Available
Our friends at CASQA have done a tremendous job helping the State Water Resources Control Board provide educational and training resources that support the 2022 CGP for stormwater. Make sure to check out all their offerings, including the newly released (Feb. 8) QSP Delegate Training Guidelines. The guidelines and a number of other resources (including the important 2022 CGP Reissuance Review).
2) Socioeconomic Value of Stormwater Capture Study Released
In February 2024, CASQA announced the publication of a new report, The Socioeconomic Value of Urban Stormwater Capture. The report is the result of a partnership between CASQA and an academic research team (Ceto Consulting) with over four decades of experience in economics, geomorphology, and land use planning.
The Report found that greater investment in urban stormwater capture will yield significant socioeconomic benefits and the benefits of augmenting the water supply and improving flood control. The Report noted underinvestment in urban stormwater capture and that more public investment in this space would likely yield extremely high returns in terms of community benefit. Finally, the Report found that the non-market value of the socioeconomic benefits of urban stormwater capture projects can be maximized by siting these projects in areas of highest need: a project that creates urban green space in a high-need area will maximize benefits to the community.
3) STORMS Program Releases “California’s Untapped Stormwater Capture Potential
The Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Stormwater (STORMS) Unit at the State Water Resources Control Board has published a GIS-based StoryMap titled: “California's Untapped Stormwater Capture Potential.” The purpose of the StoryMap is to provide a visual educational resource to the public explaining urban stormwater resource management in California and discussing the benefits of stormwater capture and use.
4) California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Releases Results of Second Snow Survey Winter 2024
The second manual survey for winter 2024 recorded 29 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 10 inches, which is 58 percent of the average for the Phillips Station location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast.
