After an all-night legislative session last week, the much-anticipated Delta Bill package emerged Wednesday. Governor Schwarzenegger promised to sign the five bills into law, praising the package that finally overhauls California’s antiquated water system.

What’s inside the package: the legislation creates greater oversight of the Delta, supporting its restoration; requires water users to measure groundwater levels and report their usage; and puts forth an $11.14 billion general obligation bond on the ballot next November. Significantly, the package includes important means for increasing water conservation that includes imposing a mandate for cities to lower their water usage 20% by 2020.

Central Basin Municipal Water District is in full support of the conservation measures outlined in the package. In a letter to legislative leaders on November 2, President Ed Vasquez wrote, “Central Basin believes that water conservation is the most feasible and cost-effective option available to help bring long-term water demand in line with long-term water supply,” and further expressed that “the District fully supports the passing of a policy package that will effectively address these issues.”

Tags: Delta

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 12:52 pm and is filed under Water Conservation, Water Legislation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.