California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has announced the approval of their 2020-21 Fund Expenditure Plan which will prioritize $130 million to projects that support the 10-year commitment to provide access to safe and affordable drinking water to vulnerable communities in California.
The Board’s action will allow the SAFER (Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience) Program to address community and school water systems that are out of compliance with health standards, assist disadvantaged communities that lack access to safe drinking water, tackle contaminated private wells and state small water systems, and accelerate consolidations for water systems that are at-risk of failing to provide safe drinking water and out of compliance for contaminants and other water quality issues.
“Ensuring all Californians have access to clean, safe and affordable drinking water is a generational challenge,” said E. Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Board. “This first year’s adoption of the fund’s annual expenditure plan is a key milestone, with much work ahead. We’re fortunate for the continued collaboration and opportunity to bring these long needed resources to communities and water systems struggling to provide safe drinking water in California.”
The Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund was established as part of Senate Bill 200, signed into law in July 2019. The fund provides up to $130 million per year to assist struggling water systems sustainably and affordably provide safe drinking water to their customers.
To learn more about the SAFER program visit https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/programs/safer_drinking_water/background.html.
