The State Water Resources Control Board July 3 adopted the Making Conservation a California Way of Life regulation. The regulation is intended to achieve long-term water use efficiency with the purpose of adapting to climate change by establishing unique goals for each urban retail water supplier in California.

The regulation was unanimously approved by the State Water Board and starts taking effect in 2025. More information on the regulation is available in a fact sheet online.

ACWA worked extensively with its members and coalition partners over the last year to secure extensive amendments that have resulted in a more feasible and cost-effective regulation. Under the regulation, suppliers must work with their customers to achieve water savings. Individual customers are not required to comply with the urban water use objective.

ACWA Regulatory Relations Manager Chelsea Haines joined several representatives from ACWA member agencies speaking during a comment period preceding the regulation's adoption.

"This is just the beginning of a multi-decade process," Haines said. "We are going to learn a lot, we'll have new data, new partnerships and we look at the success of this regulation as compliance; compliance being healthy landscapes, shade trees, equity among communities and implementing cost-effective strategies."

ACWA distributed an Advisory to member agencies following the regulation's adoption. It is available online and member login is required.