ACWA Board of Directors Votes to Support 2018 Water Bonds

SACRAMENTO, Nov. 21, 2017 -- The ACWA Board of Directors on Nov. 17 voted unanimously to support two general obligation bonds that likely will appear before California voters in 2018. The bonds would fund an array of water-related projects intended to bolster the state’s water system and prepare for climate change.

“ACWA enthusiastically supports these bonds which, if approved by voters, would provide critical funding for water management projects ranging from recycled water technologies to groundwater management to flood protection and investments in watersheds,” said ACWA Executive Director Timothy Quinn. “The bonds also would provide funding to help bring safe drinking water to disadvantaged communities. This issue is a top priority for the ACWA Board whose members believe bond money is a critical part of the funding package needed to address this problem.”

The proposed bond measures will be explored at length Nov. 29 at ACWA’s 2017 Fall Conference & Exhibition in Anaheim during a statewide issues forum titled – “Park and Water Bonds: What Will California Voters be Considering in 2018?” More information on the conference is available at www.acwa.com.

Specifically, the ACWA Board voted to support a $4 billion June bond measure to finance water and park projects, climate change preparedness, coastal protection, and outdoor access problems. The bond was placed on the ballot through passage of SB 5, by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de León. The bond is called the California Drought, Water, Parks, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018.

The ACWA Board also voted to support an $8.9 billion bond measure that initiative backers are collecting signatures to appear on the November ballot. The bond measure is known as the State Water Supply Infrastructure, Water Conveyance, Ecosystem and Watershed Protection and Restoration, and Drinking Water Protection Act of 2018. It would fund a wide range of programs from wastewater recycling to water conservation incentives to watershed improvements.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 430+ members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. ACWA also manages Save Our Water—the state’s official water conservation outreach program – in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources. More information is at www.saveourwater.com. 

Contact:  Heather Engel, Director of Communications, 916/441-4545 or 760/217-0627 (cell)