State Water Board Approves $4 million for Disadvantaged Communities with Contaminated Water Supplies

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has approved $4 million in funding to provide interim replacement drinking water for economically disadvantaged communities with contaminated water supplies.

The funding comes from the SWRCB’s Cleanup and Abatement Account (CAA), and is available through recently-signed drought legislation that makes it easier to work directly with state and local governments, nonprofits and tribal communities, to ensure that communities in need receive interim replacement drinking water. 

On March 1, 2014 Governor Brown signed a two-bill, $687.4-million emergency drought relief package which took effect immediately, allowing the SWRCB to act.  The SWRCB will coordinate with the Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) district offices, the Office of Emergency Services (OES), and other stakeholders to identify disadvantaged communities that are most at-risk and would benefit from financial assistance.

Applicants are encouraged to lock the funding by June 30, 2015. Eligible entities include public agencies, not-for-profit water districts, other not-for-profit organizations, and tribal governments.

Detailed information, including the resolution considered by the SWRCB, can be accessed here. Additional resources on this program can be found here.

For additional information, please contact RCRC Legislative Advocate Kathy Mannion at (916) 447-4806 orkmannion@rcrcnet.org.