SB 606 - Water Management Planning Summary

• Urban retail water suppliers must calculate annual urban water use objectives by November 1, 2023, and every year thereafter, based on water use efficiency standards and local conditions, with reported results submitted to the Department of Water Resources.

• The State Water Resources Control Board may issue informational orders, written notices, and conservation orders to urban retail water suppliers not meeting their water use objectives, with civil liability up to $10,000 for violations.

• Urban water management plans must be updated by July 1 in years ending in 6 and 1 (instead of 5 and 0), and include a drought risk assessment examining water shortage risks over five consecutive years and a water shortage contingency plan with specific elements including shortage response actions and communication protocols.

• Urban water suppliers must conduct annual water supply and demand assessments and submit annual water shortage assessment reports to the department by June 1 each year, detailing anticipated shortages and triggered response actions.

• Urban water suppliers are ineligible to receive any water grants or loans unless they comply with urban water management plan requirements; the bill becomes operative only if Assembly Bill 1668 is enacted.