(Sacramento, CA) - Today, Governor Jerry Brown today signed Assembly Bill 1292, which will ensure that California continues to have safe drinking water. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D - San Gabriel Valley), authorizes the issuance of revenue bonds for deposit into the Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SDWSRF) to satisfy federal matching requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act. AB 1292 will allow California to continue to repair and improve its aging drinking water infrastructure.
"Water is a fundamental necessity for civilized society, and we must make certain that California's water system infrastructure is in pristine condition," said Assembymember Hernández. "Infrastructure repair, upgrade and maintenance is the only way we can continue to provide safe drinking water to over 37 million Californians. I would like to thank Governor Brown and his administration for the continued collaboration and tireless commitment to funding our state's precious resources."
The Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), receives continuous appropriations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the purpose of providing low-cost financing to public and private entities to maintain and improve public water systems in order to meet safe drinking water standards. As a condition of receiving these funds, the state is required to provide a 20% match. Effectively implemented for over 12 years, CDPH has executed $1 billion in loans and grants, to date, for improvements to drinking water systems.
The SDWSRF is a critical source of public financial assistance for public water systems in our state. AB 1292 provides the state with a necessary tool in the ever critical procurement of funds process. Procurement of federal funding is critical, especially in this harsh economic climate. With AB 1292 signed into law, California can continue to repair and improve its water infrastructure. This bill received bipartisan support as it was vetted through the state's legislative process before heading to the Governor's desk. This bill will take effect January 1, 2012.
CONTACT: Mandy Lee, (916) 319-2057(o)
