ACWA Delivers Recommendations for Water Resilience Portfolio by Heather Engel Sep 10, 2019 Water News ACWA has submitted its recommendations for the Newsom Administration’s Water Resilience Portfolio, highlighting a comprehensive set of recommendations that take into account the rapidly changing patterns in hydrology, water demands and sea level to meet the broad needs of the 21st Century. ACWA recommends four guiding principles that support local and regional water management, an “all of the above” approach, partnership/collaboration and the implementation of recently enacted laws. The 34-page document also includes several specific recommendations, organized into five groupings: Actions for Water Supply Resilience Actions for Ecosystem Resilience Actions for Community (Safe Drinking Water) Resilience Actions for Scientific Methods to Support Resilience State Investment in Water Resilience Infrastructure A copy of the document is available on the ACWA website. “ACWA appreciates the opportunity to provide these recommendations proactively, providing local water management perspective into the development of the Portfolio,” said ACWA Executive Director Dave Eggerton. “We appreciate the Newsom Administration’s consideration of our recommendations and stand ready to work with them to pursue a collaborative and comprehensive approach to water resilience.” Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order April 29 that directed the California Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Food and Agriculture to draft a Water Resilience Portfolio. The document will act as a roadmap for meeting water needs through the 21st Century. ACWA made the issue a priority and actively engaged with the Newsom Administration to provide meaningful input into the process, as well as offer content for the Portfolio. A 28-member ACWA Water Resilience Portfolio Working Group comprised of subject matter experts and water industry leaders from within all 10 ACWA Regions spent the past three months helping guide the work of ACWA staff in developing recommendations for the Portfolio. The Administration plans to issue a draft of the Water Resilience Portfolio for public comment later this fall. The Portfolio is expected to be presented to the governor in draft form later this year.
