This division shall be known and may be cited as the Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act.
Chapter 1Short Title and Findings and Declarations
Section § 78500
This section establishes the Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act as the official name for this division of the law.
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Section § 78500.2
This law highlights the urgent need for California to address its water crisis, which threatens both its economy and environment. It stresses that water is crucial for the state's growing population and emphasizes the importance of preventing pollution and promoting water conservation and recycling when feasible.
The state plans to meet water supply needs for urban, agricultural, and environmental uses through strategies like conservation, recycling, using surface and groundwater, water transfers, and improving water storage and delivery systems.
The measure acknowledges the importance of the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Estuary, which is critical for wildlife and as part of the water system for millions of residents.
The law also discusses the historic agreement with federal officials to find a long-term solution for water issues in the Bay-Delta area, highlighting the CALFED program's role in ensuring the environmental and economic health of the state.
In placing this measure before the voters, the Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:
(a)CA Water Code § 78500.2(a) The state faces a water crisis that threatens our economy and environment.
(b)CA Water Code § 78500.2(b) The state’s growing population has increasing needs for safe water supplies which are essential to the public health, safety, and welfare.
(c)CA Water Code § 78500.2(c) It is of paramount importance that the limited water resources of the state be protected from pollution, and conserved and recycled whenever economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
(d)CA Water Code § 78500.2(d) The state should plan to meet the water supply needs of all beneficial uses of water, including urban, agricultural, and environmental, utilizing a wide range of strategies including water conservation and recycling, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater supplies, water transfers, and improvements in the state’s water storage and delivery systems to meet the growing water needs of the state.
(e)CA Water Code § 78500.2(e) This measure is a necessary first step toward providing for the state’s long-term water supply requirements through a number of water management strategies.
(f)CA Water Code § 78500.2(f) The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Estuary (the Bay-Delta) is of statewide and national importance. The Bay-Delta provides habitat for more than 120 species of fish and wildlife and serves as a major link in our water delivery system for businesses and farms statewide and more than 22 million residents.
(g)CA Water Code § 78500.2(g) The state has signed an historic accord with federal officials and statewide water interests that calls for the development of a comprehensive and long-term solution for the water supply reliability, water quality, and environmental problems of the Bay-Delta.
(h)CA Water Code § 78500.2(h) Federal and state representatives have initiated a program known as CALFED, to develop a comprehensive and long-term solution to the problems associated with the Bay-Delta, including an equitable allocation of program costs among beneficiary groups. The success of the CALFED program is vital to the environmental and economic well-being of the state.
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Section § 78500.4
This law aims to ensure that California has a safe, clean, affordable, and adequate water supply for residents, farms, and businesses. It seeks to balance economic and environmental needs while restoring ecosystems for fish and wildlife. Additionally, the law focuses on protecting the state's water infrastructure from disasters like earthquakes and floods, maintaining water quality, and ensuring community quality of life by preserving recreational areas and natural spaces.
In enacting this measure, the people of California declare all of the following to be the objectives of this act:
(a)CA Water Code § 78500.4(a) To provide a safe, clean, affordable, and sufficient water supply to meet the needs of California residents, farms, and businesses.
(b)CA Water Code § 78500.4(b) To develop lasting water solutions that balance the needs of the state’s economy and its environment.
(c)CA Water Code § 78500.4(c) To restore ecological health for native fish and wildlife, and their natural habitats, including wetlands.
(d)CA Water Code § 78500.4(d) To protect the integrity of the state’s water supply system from catastrophic failure due to earthquakes and flooding.
(e)CA Water Code § 78500.4(e) To protect drinking water quality.
(f)CA Water Code § 78500.4(f) To protect the quality of life in our communities by ensuring recreational opportunities and maintaining parks, trees, and plants.
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