AB 1823

The Wholesale Regional Water System Security and Reliability Act
(Authors: Assembly members Louis Papan and Joe Simitian; Co-authors: Assembly members Elaine Alquist, Rebecca Cohn, Ellen Corbett, Manny Diaz, John Dutra and Lynne Leach; Senators Liz Figueroa, Don Perata, Tom Torlakson and Byron Sher)

Question:

What is the Wholesale Regional Water System Security and Reliability Act?

Answer:

The Act provides a process, established by the State Legislature, to ensure that the San Francisco Regional Water System is rebuilt as soon as possible.

It is designed to help protect the health, safety and economic well being of 2.4 million residents, businesses and community organizations in Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties who depend on the system.

Question:

What does AB 1823 do?

Answer:

AB 1823 requires:

• San Francisco to adopt a capital improvement program for the Bay Area regional water system with a financing plan and to complete nine high-priority projects;
• A review by the state Department of Health Services and the Seismic Safety Commission of changes in the capital improvement program and comments by the two agencies about the significance of the changes to public health and safety;
• Development of an emergency response plan describing how water service will be restored after an interruption caused by an earthquake or other catastrophe;
• Distribution of water on an equitable basis during an interruption of supply after an earthquake or other catastrophe;
• Annual reports to the Department of Health Services about progress in finding additional sources of water for dry years;
• A Department of Health Services audit of maintenance on the regional water system before July 1, 2004; and
• The regional water system to be operated in compliance with the California Safe Drinking Water Act and guidelines established by the United States Environmental Protection Act.

This is an overview of the legislation. View entire document here (27K PDF)