Fixing the Leaks

The news from California:

"Governor Jerry Brown signed into law legislation by State Senator Lois Wolk, D-Solano, to strengthen requirements that urban water districts report to the state their water losses through leaks in their water systems.

"The water coming out of taps in California's urban communities moves through thousands of miles of pipes. Many of these water systems are in need of repair. In fact, it's been estimated that up to ten percent of water supplied statewide is lost to leaks," said Wolk. "We need to know how much water is lost in transit through these urban water systems in order to take cost-effective steps to reduce water loss and better manage our state's water resources."

Wolk's Senate Bill 1420 makes several changes recommended last year by an independent state panel tasked with improving methods of reporting on water conservation efforts in urban areas in order to save water. SB 1420 updates state law to require urban water suppliers to file their water management plans with the Department of Water Resources (DWR) electronically, streamlining the filing process.

These plans help the state ensure water suppliers are planning to meet their community's current and future water needs, said Wolk. SB 1420 also requires that water suppliers report and account for water loss in their distribution systems."