Part 1General Provisions

Section § 81000

Explanation

This law establishes the CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund, which is designed to provide ongoing financial support for projects that improve water use efficiency.

The fund aims to achieve significant results such as reducing urban and agricultural water usage, increasing the use of recycled water, and cutting down greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, when public funds are given to private water companies, they should benefit customers or the public, not the investors, with oversight from the Public Utilities Commission.

(a)CA Water Code § 81000(a) It is the intent of the Legislature in establishing the CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund to create a sustainable funding source for water use efficiency projects.
(b)CA Water Code § 81000(b) It is further the intent of the Legislature that the funds from the CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund be used for the following purposes:
(1)CA Water Code § 81000(b)(1) Measurable reductions in urban per capita water use.
(2)CA Water Code § 81000(b)(2) Improvements in agricultural water use efficiency and measurable reductions in agricultural water use.
(3)CA Water Code § 81000(b)(3) Increased use of recycled water.
(4)CA Water Code § 81000(b)(4) Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and water and energy use.
(c)CA Water Code § 81000(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that any public funds made available by this division to private water companies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission should be for the benefit of the ratepayers or the public and not the investors pursuant to oversight by the Public Utilities Commission.
CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund water use efficiency urban water usage reduction agricultural water use recycled water greenhouse gas emissions reduction energy use reduction sustainable funding public Utilities Commission oversight public funds benefit ratepayers benefit water conservation goals sustainable water projects public vs investor benefit revolving fund purposes
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 825, Sec. 2. (AB 2636) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Section § 81005

Explanation

This law defines specific terms relevant to water use efficiency programs in California. First, it introduces the 'Fund,' referring to the CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund designed to support water conservation efforts. 'Local agency' encompasses various entities such as cities, counties, and water utilities that may participate in these programs.

'On-bill financing' is described as a way for utilities to offer low or no-interest loans for improving water efficiency, which customers repay through their utility bills. 'Technical assistance' includes advice and training provided to local agencies, covering activities like conducting water conservation studies, planning water-saving projects, and developing proposals for funding.

For purposes of this division, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a)CA Water Code § 81005(a) “Fund” means the CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund established pursuant to Section 81020.
(b)CA Water Code § 81005(b) “Local agency” means a city, county, city and county, municipal utility district, community services district, sanitary district, sanitation district, water district as defined in Section 20200, public water system as defined in Section 116275 of the Health and Safety Code, or private water company under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission.
(c)CA Water Code § 81005(c) “On-bill financing” means a utility-based method for providing low-interest or no-interest financing for water use efficiency improvements through the monthly utility bill.
(d)CA Water Code § 81005(d) “Technical assistance” means costs incurred for providing advice, training, or other assistance to local agencies, such as the following:
(1)CA Water Code § 81005(d)(1) Conducting specialized studies to identify water conservation opportunities that meet the intent of Section 81000.
(2)CA Water Code § 81005(d)(2) Planning of specific remodeling, renovation, repair, replacement, or other projects related to water conservation.
(3)CA Water Code § 81005(d)(3) Developing a project proposal for funding from the fund.
CalConserve Water Use Efficiency Revolving Fund local agency on-bill financing water use efficiency utility bill financing technical assistance water conservation studies project planning funding proposals water conservation improvements municipal utility district community services district sanitation district public water system private water company
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 825, Sec. 2. (AB 2636) Effective January 1, 2015.)