Newsom Signs McNerney’s Bill to Help Drought-Proof CA

Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed Sen. Jerry McNerney’s SB 31, which will help drought-proof California by boosting the use of recycled water. SB 31 would also protect the state’s fresh water supply by allowing businesses, homes, and agencies to expand their use of recycled water for irrigation and other uses, rather than relying on drinking water.

“Expanding the use of recycled water is exactly the type of commonsense proposal that will help solve our state’s water issues,” said Sen. McNerney, D-Pleasanton. “SB 31 is a pragmatic approach that will protect fresh water supplies by expanding the use of recycled water for irrigation and commercial uses. It will also help safeguard the state during devastating droughts caused by climate change.”

SB 31, which takes effect Jan. 1, won unanimous approval in both houses of the Legislature. The legislation was sponsored by WateReuse California.

“WateReuse California applauds the Governor’s approval of SB 31,” said Brenley McKenna, managing director, WateReuse CA. “By opening new pathways for recycled water, this legislation helps communities build resilience, safeguard water supplies for future generations, and bring California closer to achieving its bold water recycling vision. We thank Senator McNerney for his leadership and look forward to working with him and the Legislature to turn these opportunities into lasting solutions for our state.”

Water recycling, also known as water reuse or reclaimed water, is wastewater that has been treated to make it safe for instances where using potable (drinking) is unnecessary. It is commonly used in irrigation, groundwater recharge, and more.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy identifies water recycling as a key tool for drought-proofing communities. California currently uses more than 700,000 acre feet of recycled water a year. That saves the state roughly the equivalent of enough drinking water for 1.4 million households.

To meet the governor’s goal of recycling 1.8 million acre-feet per year by 2040, recycled water use in California needs to expand. SB 31 boosts the state’s ability to meet its goal by:

• Enabling parks to expand their use of recycled water.
• Ensuring that using recycled water use in decorative bodies of water, such as a lake at a golf course, isn’t deterred by overly burdensome regulations.
• Making sure that homeowners’ associations won’t have to install expensive and cumbersome new plumbing systems to use recycled water.
• Allowing food handling and processing facilities to use recycled water for toilet or urinal flushing or outdoor irrigation as long as the recycled water doesn’t enter a room where food handling or processing occurs.

 Sen. Jerry McNerney is chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and his 5th Senate District includes all of San Joaquin County and Alameda County’s Tri-Valley.