ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
5.	CONSIDER AUTHORIZING BOARD CHAIR TO SEND A LETTER EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY JOHN LAIRD – AB 715, LOW FLOW WATER FIXTURES AND AB 1420, WATER CONSERVATION
Meeting Date:			April 16, 2007	Budgeted:	N/A
From:			David A. Berger,	Program/ Line	N/A
			General Manger	Item No:
Prepared By:			Robert Cline	Cost Estimate:	N/A
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: N/A
CEQA Compliance: Exempt

SUMMARY: District staff is recommending that the Board adopt support positions on two pending legislative measures that promote water use efficiency in California: AB 715 (Laird) and AB 1420 (Laird) implement higher water conservation standards.

AB 715 (Laird) would introduce new flush volume standards for toilets and urinals in a three-step process:

1. Beginning in 2010, all toilets in new construction shall be dual flush or 1.3 gallon per flush or better, and all urinals for new and existing installations shall be no more than 0.5 gallons per flush.

2. Beginning in 2011, all non-flush-valve toilets sold or installed in the state shall be dual flush or 1.3 gallons per flush or better.

3. Beginning in 2012, all toilets shall be dual flush or 1.3 gallons per flush or better.

The bill allows for any or all of these steps to be delayed up to two years depending on market conditions for these devices. The bill would also directly authorize the use of zero water consumption urinals. This bill is similar to AB 2496 (Laird) from the 2005/06 legislative session, which was supported by the District. The Governor vetoed AB 2496 stating that the issue should be left to the California Building Standards Commission rather than resolved through legislation. A copy of AB 715 is included as Exhibit 5-A.

The second legislation is Assembly Bill 1420 (Laird). AB 1420 (Laird) increases the implementation of urban water conservation measures and requires, as a condition of eligibility for state grants, that urban water suppliers implement the water conservation measures contained in their Urban Water Management Plans. Compliance with conservation measures in urban areas is estimated to result in an annual water savings of approximately 98 billion gallons statewide.  Currently, state law requires 14 conservation measures to be included in a local water supplier’s Urban Water Management Plan. Examples of the conservation measures include retrofit toilet programs, school education, and water system audits. A copy of AB 1420 is included as Exhibit 5-B.

RECOMMENDATION: If adopted with the Consent Calendar, the Board Chair will be authorized to sign the letter of Support of AB 715 and AB 1420 (Exhibit 5-C).

EXHIBITS

5-A AB 715

5-B AB 1420

5-C Draft District Letter of Support of AB 715 and AB 1420

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