In an important step forward for water management in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 72, which will update the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets.
SB 72, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and sponsored by the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB), garnered widespread support during this year’s legislative session. More than 100 organizations, including an array of local water agencies and advocacy groups, supported the bill.
“SB 72 will advance Governor Newsom’s climate and water resource objectives for California to deliver a drought-resilient, equitable water system. SB 72 codifies his vision into lasting law,” said Danielle Blacet-Hyden, CMUA’s executive director. “Setting long-term water supply targets through SB 72 is critical for confronting the challenge of a more variable water supply. Clearly, we need more water to adequately provide for all beneficial uses now and for future generations.”
By 2050, California is expected to lose between 4.6 and 9 million acre-feet of its annual water supply.
SB 72 addresses that concern in a variety of ways:
• Establishing necessary statewide water supply targets to capture and produce enough water for all uses
• Requiring the state, water community, and stakeholders to work together to develop comprehensive, long-term water supply solutions.
• Enhancing the California Water Plan to drought-proof the state
• Complementing Governor Newsom’s Water Supply Strategy to ensure water supply planning targets and action extend beyond any single administration.
Senator Caballero and her staff, together with many CMUA members and coalition supporters, "tirelessly advocated for SB 72, as well as a similar predecessor bill that was originally introduced in 2023. The legislation was continually modified to address concerns from stakeholders with different perspectives," CMUA said.
Three years ago, in partnership with KP Public Affairs, CMUA and the coalition of supporters launched a successful statewide education effort called California Water for All to explain why Californians need a sustainable and reliable water supply, and how SB 72 will help make that happen.
“We appreciate Senator Caballero’s unwavering commitment to SB 72, as well as our members’ support for this critical legislation,” said Andrea Abergel, CMUA’s director of water. “The signing of SB 72 is the successful culmination of years of diligent work and determination. CMUA members should be proud of what we accomplished together.”
