Riverside, Calif. – Western Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to adopt a Resolution of Support for Proposition 1, the revised statewide bond measure, at the Sept. 17 Board Meeting. The proposed general obligation bond measure, “The Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014”, would make $7.5 billion in financing available to advance Governor Jerry Brown’s California Water Action Plan.
“The record drought is proof positive that we need to support Proposition 1, which will set the stage for managing California’s water resources in a well-thought out and strategic approach,” said Western’s Board President Brenda Dennstedt. “If this bond is approved, Western, along with other agencies, would benefit through funding for projects that ensure customers a secure source of water for years to come.”
Highlights of the proposition include funding for reservoirs and other storage projects, wetland and watershed improvements, groundwater sustainability and restoration. It would also leverage non-state funding to advance conservation, regional programs of self-reliance and integrated water management to prepare for future long-term drought conditions.
The proposed bond’s seven categories include water quality improvements, $520 million; ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration, $1.495 billion; regional water security, climate and drought preparedness, $810 million; statewide water system operational improvements and drought preparedness $2.7 billion; water recycling, $725 million; groundwater sustainability, $900 million; and flood management, $395 million.
Proposition 1 is a revision of the previous $11.14 billion water bond, which was part of water reform legislation passed by the state Legislature five years ago. The revised proposition was originally scheduled to appear on the November 2010 general election ballot, but the previous measure was delayed twice by the Legislature.
As the largest investment in California water infrastructure in decades, Proposition 1 would provide funding for a wide range of water and resource management programs and projects throughout California if approved by voters on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Western Municipal Water District provides water supply, wastewater disposal and water resource management to the public in a safe, reliable, environmentally sensitive and financially responsible manner.
