Integrated regional water management plans will play a critical role in meeting the state’s future water needs. ACWA’s Blueprint recommends that the state support integrated regional plans by taking a number of actions, such as partnering with regions where requested to provide funding assistance and technical expertise.

Background

Regional efforts have long played an important part in providing water to California’s cities, farms and businesses. Today, regional efforts are assuming even greater importance as individual agencies and communities forge partnerships to diversify their water supplies, improve water quality and reliability, enhance environmental stewardship and increase flexibility to better cope with droughts, floods and other uncertain future conditions.

Though the specifics vary according to local needs, integrated regional water management plans generally include a mix of infrastructure improvements, environmental enhancements, and programs such as water recycling, water use efficiency, groundwater management and conjunctive use, water transfers and exchanges, flood protection and watershed management. By pursuing these strategies, regions can maximize their investments, make more efficient use of available resources and better coordinate information among all local governments.

ACWA’s Recommendations

ACWA recommends the state support integrated regional water management plans by taking the following actions:

• Direct the Department of Water Resources to better assist local agencies as they undertake regional programs and to provide for better coordination of regional efforts to help meet statewide needs.

• Partner with regions where requested to provide funding assistance and technical expertise to help develop sound integrated regional plans.

• Streamline regulations and approval processes for strategies such as water transfers, water recycling and seawater and brackish groundwater desalination.

• Clarify the definition of integrated regional water plans in the context of state grant programs and legislation requiring plans as a prerequisite to receiving funding.

• Establish funding priorities for development of financial assistance for regional efforts.

• Actively seek partnerships with local, regional and federal agencies to develop programs such as surface and groundwater storage projects that provide both regional and statewide benefits.

Other Blueprint Recommendations

In addition to the regional actions, ACWA recommends that state and federal leaders take a number of other actions to ensure California can meet its future water needs.

• Improve the existing Delta water conveyance system to increase flexibility and enhance water supply, water quality, levee stability and environmental protection in the near term.

• Evaluate long-term threats to the Delta levee and conveyance system and pursue actions to reduce risks to the state’s water supply and the environment.

• Ensure delivery of adequate Colorado River supplies for Southern California and defend California’s rights on the Colorado River.

• Implement and fund the Sacramento Valley Water Management Program.

• Develop additional groundwater and surface water storage, including proposed surface storage projects now under study if they are determined to be feasible.

• Support and fund local efforts to expand recycled water use and implement best management practices for urban and agricultural water use efficiency.

• Improve the quality of California’s drinking water supplies to safeguard public health and enhance water quality for agriculture and the environment.

• Work with local agencies to overcome constraints to developing seawater and brackish groundwater desalination.

• Modernize the federal Endangered Species Act and other laws and regulations to allow water-related projects to proceed while protecting species and their habitats.

• Expedite the approval process for voluntary water transfers.

• Clarify and expand the state’s role in flood control and promote multi-benefit flood control projects.
  

About the Blueprint

ACWA’s Blueprint reflects extensive input from hundreds of public water agencies charged with delivering water to cities, farms and communities throughout the state. In addition to the recommended actions, the Blueprint includes a detailed discussion of pressing regional needs and actions to help address them. For more on the Blueprint, see www.acwa.com.