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EMWD Sponsored Legislation Awaits Gov. Brown’s Signature

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Filling glass with clean water from kitchen tap.

Assembly Bill 2050 – the Small System Water Authority Act of 2018, which is authored by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) – passed out of the Assembly on Monday, August. 27, 2018, where it had been taken up for concurrence, after earning support from the State Senate the prior week. Gov. Brown is anticipated to take action on the bill in the coming weeks.

EMWD and the California Municipal Utilities Association are co-sponsors of the bill.

The Small System Water Authority Act would address failing systems in California by establishing a path toward long-term water system reliability by merging non-compliant systems into Small System Water Authorities. These larger agencies would recognize greater economies of scale, additional public financing opportunities, and bolster statewide oversight to foster compliance with state and federal drinking water standards.

“We sincerely hope that Gov. Brown supports AB 2050 and signs it into law,” EMWD President David Slawson said. “The common challenges with failing systems can be tied to foundational issues such as small customer bases; lack of financial; managerial and technical expertise; and inexperience in resolving complex challenges such as groundwater contamination. AB 2050 provides a cost-effective solution, restores public trust and addresses the public health crisis associated with failing water systems.”

For more information, please visit www.emwd.org/BetterSolution.

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Eastern Municipal Water District is the water, wastewater service and recycled water provider to approximately 816,000 people living and working within a 555-square mile service area in western Riverside County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency and its mission is “To deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable water, wastewater and recycled water services.” More information can be found at www.emwd.org.