State Water Board Collecting Data for Administration of Water Arrearages Funding by ACWA Staff Aug 4, 2021 Water News The State Water Resources Control Board plans to email community water systems information regarding how to complete an important survey for the collection of information on residential and commercial drinking water arrearages, as well as revenue shortfalls during the COVID-19 pandemic. ACWA encourages members to complete the survey to help the State Water Board determine the extent of statewide arrearages, which is the first step in allocation of funds to community water systems. ACWA member agencies should expect to receive the email during the week of August 9. Community water systems will complete the survey using a special link on the Electronic Annual Report portal. When released, systems will have 30 days to complete the survey. The State Water Board will conduct a public webinar on Aug. 19, 10-11:30 a.m. to provide an overview of the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program, explain how to navigate the survey and answer questions. AB 148, which Gov. Newsom signed on July 22, requires the State Water Board to conduct the survey as the first step in administering the California Water and Wastewater Arrearage Payment Program so that it can distribute the $985 million in arrearages relief funding. For more details about the webinar, including a link to watch and instructions for asking a question, view the State Water Board’s webinar notice. For questions about AB 148 and the State Water Board’s survey, please contact ACWA Deputy Executive Director for Government Relations Cindy Tuck or ACWA Director of State Relations Adam Quiñonez.