Some 58% of likely voters say they support Proposition 1, the $7.5 billion water bond slated for the November ballot, according to a new poll released Sept. 23 by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Sept. 23 announced its recommendations for $200 million in grants for projects designed to alleviate the impacts of the current drought and improve regional drought preparedness.

The public comment period on the recommendations is now open until Oct. 8.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order last week aimed at streamlining assistance to households that rely on domestic wells or very small water systems and are currently without drinking water due to declining groundwater supplies as the drought continues.

In a statement released Friday, Sept. 19, the governor calls the shortage of water for drinking and sanitation purposes a threat to human health and safety that will require the combined efforts of multiple agencies to combat.

Since it began on Sept. 13 the fast-moving King Fire has charred 89,574 acres and threatened hydroelectric facilities operated by two ACWA member agencies.

The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) announced last week that its board enacted an emergency resolution authorizing district managers to take all steps necessary to obtain supplies and manpower needed to respond to the King fire quickly. Immediate threats to its Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project at Hell Hole Reservoir prompted the board’s action.

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed several ACWA-supported bills including AB 2067 (Weber) and SB 1420 (Wolk), related to Urban Water Management Plans, as well as AB 2104 (Gonzales) and SB 922 (Nielsen), related to homeowners associations’ landscape rules.  These bills are expected to help California achieve its goal of a 20% reduction in water-use statewide by 2020.

HOA Watering and Landscape Rules

From the Department of the Interior’s Press Release:

The California Chamber of Commerce has announced its support for Proposition 1– the $7.5 billion water bond – and Proposition 2– the rainy day reserve. Both propositions will appear on the November general election ballot.

The House Natural Resources Committee, on Thursday, voted to report three bills of interest to ACWA members out of committee. The votes on the bills, HR 3980, HR 3981, and HR 5412, fell largely along party lines.

The Regional Water Authority (RWA) today announced that 14 of the water providers it represents have accomplished impressive water savings of at least 20% or more in August 2014, as compared to last August’s numbers.

RWA’s analysis of data submitted by local water suppliers shows that last month alone the regional reductions came in at an average of 21%. Since the beginning of the year, the area has averaged a 19% reduction in water use.

The RWA’s “Drought Busters” are:

A poll released today by Probolsky Research shows that 69% of likely voters within the boundaries of the Orange County Water District (OCWD) support construction of the proposed Huntington Beach desalination facility.

“For the first time in many years we are seeing water supply as a top issue of concern for Orange County voters.  The current drought facing the region and the state is driving this interest,” said Adam Probolsky.

The survey also showed that: