Water conservation: water losses: enforcement.
The enactment of SB 134 means significant changes in how the state regulates urban water suppliers regarding their water use objectives. It allows suppliers some lenience in cases of water loss while ensuring that enforcement action is still being pursued for non-compliance with performance standards. This could lead to a shift in how urban water suppliers operate, potentially encouraging them to focus their efforts on improving efficiency without the fear of severe penalties when those efforts do not yield immediate results.
Senate Bill 134, introduced by Senator Hertzberg, focuses on water conservation and addresses the handling of water losses by urban retail water suppliers in California. Specifically, it mandates that these suppliers calculate an urban water use objective starting no later than November 1, 2023, and annually thereafter. This objective will include estimates of efficient water losses. The bill further stipulates that enforcement actions, including information orders and conservation orders, cannot be imposed if suppliers are found to exceed their loss standards solely due to factors beyond their immediate control, provided that enforcement actions are already taken for these performance standards.
The sentiment surrounding this bill appears to be generally supportive, particularly among water suppliers and stakeholders focused on conservation. Supporters argue that it strikes a balance between enforcing water conservation measures and providing a realistic framework that acknowledges the challenges of managing water losses. However, there may be concerns from environmental organizations that believe the bill could allow urban suppliers to evade accountability for excessive water losses under certain conditions.
One point of contention within the discussions around SB 134 lies in the potential for urban water suppliers to avoid penalties even when not meeting their conservation goals. Critics may argue that this leniency could hinder progress toward stricter water conservation and efficiency measures necessary to combat water shortages, particularly in drought-prone regions like California. The ability of the State Water Resources Control Board to decide when to impose penalties based on the criteria established by this bill raises questions about accountability and effective oversight.