Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-Jan 2022
We hope you and your family had a safe and joyous holiday season.
Our regulatory priority is the renewal process for the California Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater, which affects nearly all CICWQ member companies and their workforce. The CGP is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento and enforced regionally by one of nine California Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
As we begin the new year, CICWQ anticipates action on the renewal of the Santa Ana Watershed Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit covering portions of Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Read more below and look for a NEW Industry News Blog later this month.
We continue to pay close attention to the drought conditions in California and ever-changing weather patterns and do everything we can—representing the construction industry—to assure a reliable water supply for the future. Our State is off to a good start for 2022 with record snowpack levels, but collectively we must continue to think long-term about water reliability and portfolio diversification to buffer drought years. In recent news and responding to Governor Newsom's Emergency Drought Proclamation, the State of California Water Board adopted an emergency regulation to supplement voluntary water conservation.
5 ISSUES WORTH YOUR TIME
1.) State Water Board Adopts Emergency Regulation to Supplement Voluntary Water Conservation
Effective January 12, 2022, The State Water Resources Control Board adopted an emergency regulation to supplement voluntary water conservation which may apply to construction projects during the site preparation phase. The measures prescribed are intended to prevent the wasteful and unreasonable use of water. Construction sites rely on potable and non-potable water as part of the building process, and in many instances, no other feasible methods are available, which is recognized in the emergency regulation.
2.) Renewal of the State of California Construction General Permit for Stormwater
Our construction industry advocates working in Sacramento and statewide tell us the State of California Water Board is planning on releasing a Response to Comments document in early 2022, perhaps as soon as this month, based on public and stakeholder input submitted to the State in August 2021. Given this expected document release, we may see action on the revised CGP including a formal workshop and adoption hearing in the coming months.
3.) Renewal of the Santa Ana Watershed Regional Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit
The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board is revising and updating three MS4 permits issued between 2009 and 2012 into one Regional Permit. This permit impacts CICWQ members working in private and public land development and building, including urban redevelopment, and contains engineering requirements to manage stormwater runoff. CICWQ expects public release of the DRAFT Regional Permit in early 2022 for public and stakeholder comment, with a Regional Board workshop on February 4, 2022, scheduled, where the matter may be discussed. Regional Board staff tell CICWQ to expect permit adoption sometime in late 2022. Look for a NEW Industry News Blog on the Santa Ana MS4 Permit renewal on our website later this month.
4.) California Mountain Snowpack Update
Read the latest press release from Metropolitan Water District on the major December snowstorms in California and their impact to water supplies and supply planning.
5.) Year-In-Review 2021: How we're working for You
In 2021 CICWQ stepped up our digital communication effort to better connect with you during these meeting-challenged times, and to provide you with useful, timely information.
We are reaching many more of you with our monthly email updates on important water quality regulatory matters. Please visit our updated CICWQ website and check out the comprehensive information and education content, specific to water quality and water supply reliability issues that impact the construction industry in California.
During 2021 we engaged in several important advocacies and regulatory matters on behalf of the construction industry...
