Experts agree California’s water system is in need of a major upgrade. Large-scale investments are needed in everything from water storage capacity to water recycling facilities to levees. Substantial investments in ecosystem restoration and habitat improvements also are needed if we are to meet the co-equal goals of improved water supply reliability and ecosystem health.
Virtually every aspect of California’s economy depends on water. Yet investments in the statewide water system have not kept pace with a growing population and changing needs. A recent infrastructure report card issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave California very low marks in critical areas such as levees, flood control facilities and water treatment plants.
As part of the comprehensive water package [3]enacted in 2009, the Legislature approved a water bond now slated for the November 2012 ballot to provide a public cost share for elements of the package that benefit the public. If approved by voters, the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act would provide $11.14 billion in general obligation bond funds for California's aging water infrastructure as well as projects and programs to improve water supply reliability and ecosystem health in the Delta.
The bond would allocate roughly $4 billion for local resources development, $4 billion for ecosystem restoration and $3 billion for the public benefits associated with new surface and groundwater storage projects. Every $1 authorized as part of the bond would leverage $3 to $4 in other funds, for a total of up to $40 billion for needed investments.
The vast majority of public funds allocated by the bond would go through a rigorous competitive process to ensure dollars go to a public benefit. There would also be careful review of dollars targeted for ecosystem restoration and a competitive process to determine the highest value investments. The bond language specifies that no public funds may be used for Delta conveyance facilities. Those costs would be paid by the water agencies that would receive water conveyed through any new facility.
ACWA supports the water bond as an appropriate and much-needed mechanism to fund the public benefits of investing in our water system. The association recognizes, however, that the current fiscal climate is triggering calls by some to consider reducing the size of the bond or moving to a future statewide ballot. Any changes to the bond would require a two-thirds vote by the Legislature.
Today’s fiscal and economic challenges do not change the need for California to invest in its water infrastructure. ACWA believes that policy makers should address the challenge head on and explore all options to invest in California’s water system.
- Read a fact sheet on 2012 water bond expenditures [4]
- Read Frequently Asked Questions about the 2012 water bond [5]
- Read an overview of the 2009 comprehensive water package [6]
