During the recent legislative session, Daucher (R-Brea) successfully strengthened state law regarding urban water management planning as the author of legislation requiring that water quality and its implications on water supply also be examined in the planning process.
"It is so important that we do whatever we can to advance the understanding of the role of water quality as an influential factor in water supply reliability in the face of a complex myriad of competing interests," said Metropolitan Chairman Phillip J. Pace. "Metropolitan is honored to recognize Assemblywoman Daucher for her tremendous work in this important area."
Daucher's legislation, Assembly Bill 901, emphasizes the relationship between quality and quantity and its impacts on water supply in urban water management planning. Sponsored by Metropolitan, Daucher's bill requires urban water management plans to provide information relating to the quality of source supplies and how that quality affects water management strategies and supply reliability.
State law requires the plans -- prepared by water agencies that serve more than 3,000 acre-feet of water a year or have 3,000 or more service connections -- to describe reasonable and practical efficient water uses, recycling and conservation activities.
However, State law previously did not link the quality of source supplies and how that quality affects water management strategies, supply reliability and the potential for water recycling in urban water management plans.
Growth, environmental needs, agricultural concerns and drought are commonly regarded as factors that impact urban water supplies. Major components of water supply planning efforts include groundwater storage, water recycling and requirements to minimize impacts on the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Impacts to any of these planning efforts can lead to increased reliance on imported water supplies and reduced local supply reliability.
Broadly supported by a coalition of water agencies, builders, developers, contractors, chambers of commerce and environmental interests, AB 901 was signed Oct. 9 by Gov. Gray Davis and becomes law on Jan. 1, 2002.
"This new law will provide valuable information for decision-making entities at all levels of government," Pace said. "It also will give greater emphasis to the importance of water quality in making effective management decisions throughout the state at what will almost certainly prove to be an important juncture in California's water future."
Daucher represents the 72nd District within Orange County, which includes the cities of Anaheim Hills, Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Placentia, Yorba Linda, and portions of Orange and Buena Park. She was first elected to the Assembly in 2000 after serving six years on the Brea City Council, including one year as mayor.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 17 million people in six counties. The District imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other water-management programs.
Source: Business Wire
