The California Clean Water Act
Baykeeper is sponsoring a bill in the State Legislature that will grade local sewer systems so that residents know just how well – or how poorly – their cities are performing.
The Latest Victory for the California Clean Water Act!
Late on Wednesday, May 28, the State Assembly passed The California Clean Water Act with a vote of 45 to 31. AB 2986 had a fairly swift and smooth passage through the Assembly after being approved by the Environmental Safety and Toxics Material Committee on April 1 and the Appropriations Committee on May 23. The Assembly vote in favor of AB 2986 marks an important step to the bill’s eventual passage into law as it now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
The bill requires the State and Regional Water Boards to assign an annual letter grade to every sewer collection system and sewage treatment plant in California in order to inform voters, rate payers, and local officials of problem systems before harmful discharges of untreated waste occur. Baykeeper worked with the bill’s author Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), co-author Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), and co-sponsor Friends of the Earth.
Read Analysis of the Bill by the Assembly Committee
In the meantime, you can do your part to reduce sewage spills in your community by following our Top 10 Tips to Reduce Sewage Spills.