Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update-SEPTEMBER 2024
At CICWQ, we remain dedicated to protecting our interest in California’s water resources through advocacy, education, and research. As we move into autumn and approach the close of 2024, water quality and regulatory actions that impact our industry continue to move forward toward completion.
With a focus on water supply and reliability for the year ahead, here’s what we’ve been working on this month:
🔹 Santa Ana Regional MS4 Permit Update: CICWQ fights to cut costly, ineffective stormwater rules in the Santa Ana Region of southern California.
🔹 Sites Reservoir Project in Northern California: Seeking approval of a plan to divert up to 1.5 million acre feet per year of water from the Sacramento River to increase California water supplies by adding more surface storage.
🔹 California Water Watch: Lets you track daily precipitation, reservoir levels, and more across the state.
🔹 CASQA Conference, October 21st-23rd in Sacramento: Explore current and future recycled water projects in LA County! Connect with experts, agencies, and community leaders.
💡 Support CICWQ and be part of a network shaping California’s water future. Together, we can continue safeguarding the construction and building industry interest of this precious resource while ensuring sustainable growth.
SEPTEMBER NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
Santa Ana Watershed Regional Municipal Stormwater Permit Under Development
Read about the latest in the development of a new regional stormwater management permit for municipalities within the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board’s jurisdiction in southern California. CICWQ and its member associations have been working with three different county public works agencies who are responsible for implementing the permit to advocate for elimination of new, costly planning processes and on-site controls for managing stormwater at project sites and roads, which won’t improve water quality in any measurable way.
Sites Reservoir Project in Northern California
We highlight work on permitting the Sites Reservoir in northern California, which if constructed will increase water storage capacity significantly during wet years and serve as an additional buffer to impacts from a changing climate. In the past several months the State Water Board has been moving through a water rights application process with the Sites Project Authority, who is seeking approval of a plan to divert up to 1.5 million acre feet per year of water from the Sacramento River during winter months. In August 2024 the State Board held a petition hearing on the Authority’s application. CICWQ participated in the hearing and submitted testimony.
California Water Watch: Track Precipitation, Reservoir Levels, and More in Real-Time
California Water Watch—is a comprehensive water tracking (records and forecasting) web site maintained by the California Department of Water Resources. The information on the website allows users to track nine different elements of the hydrologic cycle, some on a daily basis, including precipitation and reservoir levels across the state.
