BILL NUMBER: AB 460INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Anderson FEBRUARY 24, 2009 An act relating to water salinity. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 460, as introduced, Anderson. Water resources: salinity: water softeners. Existing law authorizes a residential water softening or conditioning appliance to be installed only if certain conditions are met, including the requirement that an appliance installed on or after January 1, 2002, be certified to have a salt efficiency rating of no less than 4,000 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration. This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require new residential water softening equipment sold in California to have a minimum salt efficiency rating of no less than 4,400 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration. This bill would also express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would achieve a 20% reduction in the per capita use of salt in water softening equipment in California on or before December 31, 2012. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) California is facing three serious related environmental issues, (1) high levels of salinity in its water supply, (2) excessive water usage, and (3) high energy consumption. (b) Water is a public resource that the California Constitution protects against waste and unreasonable use. (c) Because of the geological history of California, much of the salinity of California's water is from natural sources. Naturally occurring hard water results in increased energy usage and water consumption. (d) Much of the water softening equipment in all sectors of state-owned or operated facilities are of an older and inefficient design, and thereby contribute to California's salinity problem. (e) A statewide program to evaluate, upgrade, and replace existing water softening equipment in state owned or operated facilities would significantly reduce the salinity of California's waters. (f) Upgrading the water softening equipment in all sectors of California, including the industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential sectors, would also contribute to a reduction in the use of energy and water. SEC. 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would require all new residential water softening equipment sold in California to have a salt efficiency rating of no less than 4,400 grains of hardness removed per pound of salt used in regeneration, and to enact legislation that would achieve a 20 percent reduction in the per capita use of salt in water softening equipment in California on or before December 31, 2012.