During state Assembly testimony on Tuesday, May 2, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl highlighted the steps taken by the Water Authority and partner water agencies across California to support the Colorado River in the era of climate change. Kerl joined representatives from the Colorado River Board of California, the Imperial […]
Water agencies across the region are seeking help from the County of San Diego and the 18 incorporated cities in the county to provide essential financial relief for households throughout the county that are facing growing water bill delinquencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The water agencies are asking that the cities and the county […]
Editors Note: Due to the volume of activity associated with this week’s organizational activities related to the beginning of the 2021-2022 state legislative session, Senator Atkins regretfully had to cancel her appearance during this Thursday’s special Board of Directors meeting, and she expressed her apologies for the unavoidable circumstances and workload that resulted in the […]
San Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer today praised planning efforts by state Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins of San Diego and other state Senate leaders to help guide California’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The senate plans include funding to create jobs, boost infrastructure investments and to protect renters […]
Legislation co-sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority and the Otay Water District is intended to make it easier for military veterans to launch careers in the water industry. After Lt. Jose Martinez retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, he went from serving his country underwater to serving reliable, high quality water to […]
Rep. Mike Levin said California’s innovations and investments in water supply reliability and renewable energy are a model for the nation – and that the state’s efforts protect the environment while growing the economy at the same time. Levin, an attorney and congressman from San Juan Capistrano, represents the 49th District, which includes, Encinitas, Carlsbad, […]
After years of effort, water agencies across San Diego County and the state have helped to prevent an unprecedented tax on drinking water while ensuring funding for clean water initiatives in disadvantaged communities. On July 24, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that provides $130 million annually for the next 10 years to clean up […]
The state Assembly and Senate passed legislation to provide $130 million to provide safe drinking water for Californians lacking access to healthy water. The state Senate approved the bill 38-1 Monday. The Assembly passed the bill 68-0 on July 5. The legislation now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. No water tax Newsom […]
A bill that the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors voted to support in March is scheduled for a hearing Thursday in the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed state legislation promotes the development of pumped hydroelectric storage projects to help meet state energy and climate goals. Senate Bill 772 by Sen. Steven […]
The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on March 28 threw its support behind a coordinated statewide approach to ensure that all communities in California have daily access to safe, reliable drinking water. The California State Water Resources Control Board has identified 329 water systems statewide that serve contaminated drinking water or cannot […]
July 10, 2019 update: Assembly Bill 1588 passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on a 6-0 vote July 9 and will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 12. May 29, 2019 update: Assembly Bill 1588 passed the state Assembly on a 78-0 vote on May 23 and is now under consideration by […]
Two water agency general managers in San Diego County have co-authored an opinion piece in the Escondido Times-Advocate that opposes a proposal in the state Legislature to add a “voluntary donation” to water bills. The new approach is designed to sidestep opposition to a water tax, which failed this summer to get necessary support in […]
A coalition of organizations, including the San Diego County Water Authority, is opposing proposed state legislation that would change existing water service shut-off procedures used by public water agencies when customers become significantly delinquent on water bill payments. Senate Bill 998 by Senator Bill Dodd (Napa) would replace current shut-off processes, which are tailored by […]
San Diego County is a leader in water conservation and management strategies that will become even more critical in coming years, state Sen. Ben Hueso (San Diego) said during an Aug. 1 Legislative Roundtable at the San Diego County Water Authority’s headquarters. “San Diego is really a model in the state,” Hueso told an audience […]
Due in part to vigorous statewide opposition by a coalition of business, civic, and water industry officials, a proposed $135 million per year tax on drinking water in California has failed to advance in the state Legislature. But opponents of the bill said their victory should be considered temporary, and the anti-water-tax coalition in San […]
Water Authority Testifies on California’s Efforts to Support the Colorado River
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeDuring state Assembly testimony on Tuesday, May 2, San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl highlighted the steps taken by the Water Authority and partner water agencies across California to support the Colorado River in the era of climate change. Kerl joined representatives from the Colorado River Board of California, the Imperial […]
Agencies Seek Relief Funds to Cover Delinquent Water Bills
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeWater agencies across the region are seeking help from the County of San Diego and the 18 incorporated cities in the county to provide essential financial relief for households throughout the county that are facing growing water bill delinquencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The water agencies are asking that the cities and the county […]
Sen. Atkins to Share Legislative Vision with Water Authority Board
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeEditors Note: Due to the volume of activity associated with this week’s organizational activities related to the beginning of the 2021-2022 state legislative session, Senator Atkins regretfully had to cancel her appearance during this Thursday’s special Board of Directors meeting, and she expressed her apologies for the unavoidable circumstances and workload that resulted in the […]
California Senate Leaders Propose Economic Recovery Plan
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeSan Diego County Water Authority Board Chair Jim Madaffer today praised planning efforts by state Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins of San Diego and other state Senate leaders to help guide California’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The senate plans include funding to create jobs, boost infrastructure investments and to protect renters […]
New California Law Creates Pathway to Water Industry Jobs for Military Veterans
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike Lee /Association of California Water Agencies by Will HolbertLegislation co-sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority and the Otay Water District is intended to make it easier for military veterans to launch careers in the water industry. After Lt. Jose Martinez retired from the U.S. Navy in 2007, he went from serving his country underwater to serving reliable, high quality water to […]
Rep. Levin Touts Bipartisan Efforts to Fund Water Supply Reliability
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeRep. Mike Levin said California’s innovations and investments in water supply reliability and renewable energy are a model for the nation – and that the state’s efforts protect the environment while growing the economy at the same time. Levin, an attorney and congressman from San Juan Capistrano, represents the 49th District, which includes, Encinitas, Carlsbad, […]
Water Agencies Help Avoid Tax on Drinking Water
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeAfter years of effort, water agencies across San Diego County and the state have helped to prevent an unprecedented tax on drinking water while ensuring funding for clean water initiatives in disadvantaged communities. On July 24, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that provides $130 million annually for the next 10 years to clean up […]
California Legislature Passes Safe Drinking Water Fund
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeThe state Assembly and Senate passed legislation to provide $130 million to provide safe drinking water for Californians lacking access to healthy water. The state Senate approved the bill 38-1 Monday. The Assembly passed the bill 68-0 on July 5. The legislation now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. No water tax Newsom […]
Water Authority Supports Bill to Spur Pumped Storage Projects
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeA bill that the San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors voted to support in March is scheduled for a hearing Thursday in the state Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed state legislation promotes the development of pumped hydroelectric storage projects to help meet state energy and climate goals. Senate Bill 772 by Sen. Steven […]
Water Authority Seeks Statewide Solution to Drinking Water Woes
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on March 28 threw its support behind a coordinated statewide approach to ensure that all communities in California have daily access to safe, reliable drinking water. The California State Water Resources Control Board has identified 329 water systems statewide that serve contaminated drinking water or cannot […]
Water Authority Bill Aims to Boost Water Industry Jobs for Veterans
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Mike LeeJuly 10, 2019 update: Assembly Bill 1588 passed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on a 6-0 vote July 9 and will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee on August 12. May 29, 2019 update: Assembly Bill 1588 passed the state Assembly on a 78-0 vote on May 23 and is now under consideration by […]
Agency managers challenge the ‘tax con job’
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Gayle FalkenthalTwo water agency general managers in San Diego County have co-authored an opinion piece in the Escondido Times-Advocate that opposes a proposal in the state Legislature to add a “voluntary donation” to water bills. The new approach is designed to sidestep opposition to a water tax, which failed this summer to get necessary support in […]
Water Service Shut-Off Bill Opposed by Water Authority
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network staff Quoted: San Diego County Water AuthorityA coalition of organizations, including the San Diego County Water Authority, is opposing proposed state legislation that would change existing water service shut-off procedures used by public water agencies when customers become significantly delinquent on water bill payments. Senate Bill 998 by Senator Bill Dodd (Napa) would replace current shut-off processes, which are tailored by […]
State Sen. Hueso’s Interest in Water Runs Deep
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County is a leader in water conservation and management strategies that will become even more critical in coming years, state Sen. Ben Hueso (San Diego) said during an Aug. 1 Legislative Roundtable at the San Diego County Water Authority’s headquarters. “San Diego is really a model in the state,” Hueso told an audience […]
San Diego Coalition Remains Vigilant on Water Tax
/in Capitol Insider, News /by Gayle FalkenthalDue in part to vigorous statewide opposition by a coalition of business, civic, and water industry officials, a proposed $135 million per year tax on drinking water in California has failed to advance in the state Legislature. But opponents of the bill said their victory should be considered temporary, and the anti-water-tax coalition in San […]