Water Quality Issues: May Update from CICWQ

 

The Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality (CICWQ) reports that several proposed bond measure bills have been introduced into the California State Assembly and Senate with the aim of developing water quality and water supply reliability legislation or enacting new rules that impact the construction industry and its workforce. While it is unlikely all the bills will move forward, elements of the proposed measures may be combined into one large bond package, addressing long-term water storage, flood control, and groundwater recharge needs. The legislative process will sort out the details; perhaps the voters will have their say in 2024.

Several proposed water quality-related bills will try and capitalize on the wet winter and the aftermath of flooding and property damage many areas in California experienced. Some of these bills are helpful to the construction industry and property development (AB 990) while others are problematic and don’t help address core water conservation and reuse issues we face (SB 597).

On the regulatory development front, a new, post-construction water quality permit compliance pathway was just approved by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. The program, known as Water Quality Credit Trading, will allow the City of Anaheim (and hopefully other cities in California) to create and use water quality credits to comply with Santa Ana region post-construction stormwater runoff treatment standards for new and re-development.

CIAWC wants to ensure their members keep up to speed and know key dates and availability of required training for compliance with the recently renewed Construction General Permit for Stormwater. The effective date of the new permit is fast approaching, and existing credentials must be updated in order for your projects to maintain compliance.

For more information from CICWQ, visit https://www.cicwq.org/industry-news.