ACWA Leading Coalition Opposing SB 601 Wastewater Discharge Bill

ACWA is urging members to join a coalition opposing SB 601, which would needlessly complicate the state's wastewater discharge permitting system, potentially lead to frivolous litigation and likely result in higher water bills for Californians.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) with the intent of safeguarding California's water quality protection regime from federal rollbacks. However, its approach would go far beyond simply maintaining the status quo, expanding federal permitting requirements and exposing water agencies to significant liability, ultimately impeding progress toward overcoming the state's severe housing shortage while answering water supply reliability challenges.

ACWA's State Legislative Committee has adopted an "oppose" position and ACWA is leading a coalition of water, wastewater and other local government entities in opposition to the bill.

Join the coalition by completing an online form. The bill will be heard by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on April 2. It has also been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In addition to the ACWA-led coalition, ACWA staff is working closely with a larger coalition led by California Chamber of Commerce that includes business/economic interests and agriculture, as well as water and wastewater utilities.

For more information about SB 601 or the coalition, review the ACWA Legislative Alert distributed March 26.