ACWA Board of Directors Formally Endorses 2014 Water Bond

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Aug 22, 2014) -  Citing a critical need to invest in a comprehensive plan to secure the state's water future, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) this week took a formal position in support of the $7.545 billion water bond measure set for the November ballot.

The statewide organization's Board of Directors voted unanimously in a special meeting to support Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, saying it would provide much-needed funding for new surface and groundwater storage projects, regional water reliability, sustainable groundwater management and cleanup, water recycling, water conservation, watershed protection and safe drinking water, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

Legislative approval of a bond to replace the $11.14 billion measure previously set for the November ballot had been a top priority for ACWA's Board of Directors since early 2013. The $7.545 billion measure, approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Aug. 13, would provide targeted funding for the kinds of projects and programs ACWA has long advocated as part of a statewide, comprehensive plan to improve the resiliency of the state's water system and help local water agencies combat the effects of drought, climate change and other challenges.

"This bond is the right size at the right time for California," ACWA President John Coleman said. "It will provide investments where we need them, including additional water storage to increase the amount of water that can be stored during wet years for use in dry times, sustainable groundwater management and strategies such as water recycling and conservation that will help us withstand future droughts."

ACWA is statewide association of public agencies whose 430 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.