Small water supplier and countywide water shortage contingency planning.
The legislation requires counties identified as at risk of water shortages to implement comprehensive planning processes that include the establishment of drought and water shortage task forces. By imposing these new responsibilities on local governments, SB 971 seeks to ensure that proactive measures are taken to prepare for potential drought conditions, thereby safeguarding the essential drinking water supplies for those communities most affected by climate emergencies. As part of these requirements, the bill also necessitates close collaboration between local and state agencies to facilitate the development of effective water management strategies.
Senate Bill 971, introduced by Senator Hertzberg, aims to address the increasing threats of drought and water shortages, particularly impacting small water suppliers and rural communities in California. The bill mandates that small water suppliers, defined as those with 1,000 to 2,999 service connections, develop and adopt specific water shortage contingency plans. It highlights a legislative intent to enhance resilience against severe drought conditions, anticipated to become more frequent due to climate change. Additionally, the bill recognizes the historical inadequacies in water planning experienced during previous droughts, notably the 2012-2016 drought, which left many communities vulnerable.
While the bill is designed to provide a structured approach to managing water resources and contending with shortages, it raises some concerns among legislators and stakeholders. Critics worry that the additional requirements and financial burdens placed on small water suppliers and local governments may be too onerous, potentially straining already limited resources. Furthermore, there is concern that the bill could create disparities in how different communities prepare for and respond to water shortages, particularly if financial support mechanisms are not adequately established to assist the most vulnerable regions.