ACWA Statement on Proposal to Amend Emergency Conservation Regulation, Governor's Executive Order on Long-Term Water Conservation

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - May 09, 2016) -  Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today regarding a staff proposal released by the State Water Resources Control Board to modify the existing emergency regulation and an executive order issued by Gov. Jerry Brown regarding long-term water conservation.

"The State Water Board's staff proposal to amend the short-term emergency regulation and the Governor's executive order on long-term conservation are positive developments. It's clear that the Brown Administration and the State Water Board have been listening and learning -- as we all have -- during this drought and the constructive policy discussion this year.

"On the emergency regulation, we are pleased the staff is proposing a fundamentally different approach that builds on extensive feedback from the water community and recognizes the role of local investments in drought-resilient supplies. The proposal also reflects improved conditions and provides a more appropriate level of local authority and decision making over water management. While the statewide drought is not over, it is time to better match conservation levels with local water supply conditions.

"In the longer term through its executive order, the Administration is raising the bar on water use efficiency. We need a better approach for dealing with droughts into the future, and look forward to working with the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Board to develop an effective framework. If we get this right, it will benefit the entire state and largely eliminate the need for reactive emergency regulations in the future. "

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 also manages Save Our Water -- the state's official water conservation outreach program -- in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. More information is at www.saveourwater.com.