ACWA Comments on $1 Billion Emergency Drought Package

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 19, 2015) - Timothy Quinn, executive director of the statewide Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), issued the following statement on the $1 billion emergency drought package announced by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders. The package is aimed at providing local drought relief and expediting projects that can improve short- and long-term water supply reliability.

"We applaud the governor and legislative leaders for taking a strong stance on protecting Californians from the effects of this unrelenting drought. We need that leadership and the immediate funding in this package to take action now.

"This drought shows no sign of abating, and this package is a welcome step to accelerate relief to communities that are hardest hit. The expedited bond funding will help needed projects get out of the gate more rapidly -- including recycled water projects that are ready to go and can be brought on line relatively quickly. It also jump starts some longer term projects that will help improve the resiliency of our system to combat future droughts.

"Local water agencies are on the front lines responding to this drought with aggressive projects and programs to reduce water use, stretch existing supplies and protect remaining water reserves. They will continue to use every tool available to manage through the drought this year and improve our water supply reliability long term.

"As the drought tightens its grip, water conservation will continue to be the critical lever we can pull. Recent polling shows the vast majority of Californians understand the need to conserve and are willing to do more. Local water agencies are taking action to further strengthen conservation efforts, and ACWA and the Department of Water Resources are providing tools and support for these critical efforts through the Save Our Water program."

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. ACWA partners with the California Department of Water Resources to help consumers reduce water use through Save Our Water, the state's largest water conservation education program. Visit www.saveourwater.com for details.