Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a safe drinking water fund.

Highlights:

• Requires the State Water Resource Control Board to provide the chief of each regional board (regional engineer) of the Division of Drinking Water with a prioritized list of at-risk water systems by December 31st of each year (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the “board” refers to the State Water Resources Control Board (Sec. 1). 

• Requires regional offices to complete a comprehensive analysis of each at-risk water system on the board’s list within 2 years of receiving the list (Sec. 1).

• Requires the board to map aquifers used or likely to be used for drinking water that are at a high risk of contamination (Sec. 1).

• Requires regional engineers to provide the board with a preferred options plan within 60 days of receiving the comprehensive analysis (Sec. 1).

• Requires the board to hold a public hearing within 90 days of receiving the options plan from a regional engineer, with the goal of coordinating a response to the at-risk water system (Sec. 1).

• Requires the board to report on its efficacy in repairing at-risk water systems to the Legislature by July 1, 2025 (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Legislative Analyst’s Office to provide an assessment on the efficacy of expenditures from the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund at least once every 5 years (Sec. 1).

• Requires the board to create a website that provides data on the board’s activities (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the bill will only go into effect when Assembly Bill 217 is enacted (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text