[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6268777,"mediaKeyId","3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9","parentId",3049937,"title","Board adopts April 2 meeting minutes and three uncontested items","audioSeconds",56,"startMs",5985000,"endMs",6041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=5985&end=6041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_5985000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268777/California/Board-adopts-April-2-meeting-minutes-and-three-uncontested-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268777-15e1040a8ea476f7ccf385fa68fdeed7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=g7Gz6n-omFngyPzidMSK6xmddtctHt0hqwO8jf35QxsAI7brs5iTvRuj7bPtOVCDVuq4pT5~RD1ziNVy9bOKr50M~kEpjhSSb0AKR5HL4Kvzfb24Cpq-1aOE~b6Z~2dgQu2rxQas1-idvYjToB3PMZRyZvbUH8MeiLO7JaThcbqkUXdqN4~XaVpCyg~jLUJs3Dvjw5QbbdTh01lXn1XNNZq6neOxLuFsm9Z1N~qnARRk9UC9wW2C~0kqx4NfVVLIn2UHVbaELTXjBCs3Fmfu4OvjuPXOg7rIJQ4tNBg-ErgxqMjQF9msdbsbMG2x4HcSxweAHUQ~5RhLsqx4Spg1Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State Water Resources Control Board","date","2025-04-18T10:17:13.23Z","article","At the April 15 meeting the State Water Resources Control Board adopted the April 2, 2025 meeting minutes and approved three uncontested items (items 2–4) by roll‑call votes.

The board moved and seconded adoption of the April 2 minutes; a roll‑call showed votes of “Aye” from board member Sean Maguire, Vice Chair Doreen D'Adamo, Board member Firestone, Board member Morgan, and others present on the virtual platform. The record shows the items were adopted unanimously. The board then moved and seconded to adopt items 2–4 (with changesheets for items 3 and 4) and the clerk recorded a unanimous roll‑call \"Aye\" vote from the same membership.

Why it matters: These were procedural and uncontested items; staff thanked participants for work on the items and noted no commenters opposed the measures. No contested policy changes were recorded for these agenda items at the April 15 meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 15, 2025 SWRCB Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The State Water Board on April 15 adopted the April 2 meeting minutes and approved uncontested items 2 through 4 by roll‑call vote; no substantive debate was reported on these items.","taxTitle","State Water Resources Control Board, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",16198,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268782,"Restore the Delta urges board not to delay Delta Conveyance hearing and to adopt strong Title VI response",55,3505000,3560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=3505&end=3560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_3505000.jpg","/articles/6268782/California/Restore-the-Delta-urges-board-not-to-delay-Delta-Conveyance-hearing-and-to-adopt-strong-Title-VI-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268782-3b98ff588e07bc1aadfcd955036dd5d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=Mam35oJMOqg-qVKhJ72B0~PKOKiatXuzHmwbL65v3R3Y82KTK2GmUSWjgT-PwcdqY91~35pmg~jxQ2OEIK7NPRh4H-GbRcBvSY3arWIbNfyA~vYnCVGHM6tFZoHME2mLWhUx1~jJk~~glsPdjLMA~0ZTVS228iQvwmuZ0x8Hcq8R4SzR~Dr6PXzjQgKbrNQa6kr9i1UnVJ-aguzEy5bduSr7Dvj-ZViUpOvnyyeIt63~Ikk1~8rJhjtPgAQsK-KJD4c5i9Kzn0tzGUrksXBNVK0de6E6N-077UAesMvg5xPd4hK9Vxp7tNJQDPZKaCcLEl549d-H9eBNvg6HJEeDFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Restore the Delta representative told the board April 15 that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has not shown good cause for failing to provide supplemental information requested in the administrative hearing for the Delta Conveyance Project, and urged the board to reject DWR’s motion to cancel or delay the hearing.

Cynthia Cortez, policy program manager for Restore the Delta, said some supplemental information was first requested in 2010 by California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and was never produced. She argued that further short extensions would not be fair to protestants and communities that would be impacted by the project. Cortez also asked the board to adopt a robust resolution addressing a pending Title VI complaint, saying the complaint raises water‑quality impacts that disproportionately affect tribes and communities of color in the Delta.

Why it matters: The Delta Conveyance Project is the subject of an administrative hearing at the board’s Office of Administrative Hearings. Protestants and environmental groups say additional material should have been provided earlier; DWR sought time to supplement the record. Cortez urged the board not to grant lengthy additional delays and to use the meeting as an opportunity to act on the Title VI matter.

Board members thanked the commenter and said the board would consider the issues raised about the hearing schedule and the Title VI complaint. No board vote or scheduling decision was announced at the April 15 meeting.

","Restore the Delta urged the State Water Board to refuse Department of Water Resources' request for more time to supply supplemental materials in the Delta Conveyance Project hearing and asked the board to adopt a robust response to a pending Title VI complaint.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268786,"Community Water Center urges State Water Board to direct emerging‑contaminant funds to disadvantaged and rural communities",164,2726000,2890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=2726&end=2890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_2726000.jpg","/articles/6268786/California/Community-Water-Center-urges-State-Water-Board-to-direct-emergingcontaminant-funds-to-disadvantaged-and-rural-communities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268786-02bd11f639c7c8c26eba3c9bf41da8dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=LWSYQwFDg9gKYHvZuFUhnbWlRUKGIFUFU91fLDuc4c8nRwMBN7tUEJ2pkWVIa0pE56HBP~ry9T5FhQgDKx6Gvb71oQlY28s9ZZ04AlrRoezJujU5GqmDuXDq9glsArr6HAEDY9l445LlXZ1~2uR4-ewgCn8Ny~F685r5Hx45lKhdS4zCICr30BTMcs40hjtdyILXzuqPQfMelVRyG~dCu~RcAAmJrSLlIVFdmk-9IA9LhuVWg0D7QRYO5Bx32wwdJFswskQkJZFF4gKUKg7E1Iwi5Aa~oYyV98spZb1WuKtBeMtM5K2VFXc4ICRYIwMPBXk6wZ-6RBAPgjG~3X5FGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of Community Water Center told the State Water Resources Control Board April 15 that state funding for drinking water projects has improved equity for disadvantaged communities but that gaps remain, particularly in the allocation of federal emerging contaminant funds.

Johari Garcia, speaking for the Community Water Center, said she analyzed board data by project type and funding category and found that many state funding sources disproportionately benefit disadvantaged communities, helping reduce the number of Californians served by failing water systems. But Garcia said federal emerging‑contaminant funds (for contaminants such as PFAS) have gone more to non‑disadvantaged communities, and she urged the board to prioritize emerging‑contaminant resources for disadvantaged and rural communities relying on domestic wells and small water systems.

Why it matters: Emerging contaminants can present serious health risks and monitoring/treatment costs are often beyond the capacity of small systems and domestic‑well households. Garcia recommended more technical assistance and streamlined, multi‑source funding access so projects are not delayed while agencies piece together funds.

Board members acknowledged the analysis and noted the federal cross‑cutters that complicate allocation of federal emerging‑contaminant funds. Staff and board members said they welcome further engagement and said some state dollars have been used to expedite testing and treatment for PFAS in vulnerable communities.

","A Community Water Center analyst told the board that while many funding sources favor disadvantaged communities overall, federal emerging‑contaminant (PFAS) funding has flowed more to non‑disadvantaged systems; she urged targeted support for rural and domestic‑well reliant communities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268791,"Stockton project owners allege Cal Water improperly withheld meters over backflow device demand",1860,2194000,4054000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=2194&end=4054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_2194000.jpg","/articles/6268791/California/Stockton-project-owners-allege-Cal-Water-improperly-withheld-meters-over-backflow-device-demand","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268791-87eeced219fa83cc71d26c2ca28486e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=JAN7u~fLQqdB3o3zX-owoxsc9lGDDhHgJHA826nkhJQbnpC-w5hMtWDn-XWKfePM7i1O0wyiUzX8CrdabYwxrnoBYGTAghGh7qKKZGyxN5GFFS1Ij3ln9I3o3CuV3j3Exo6DSjbOKWzQsqv19jpf9dsGPfslE6eB1axJrx5Y3D65pMDPnolPx68ftl4~j0ySQQaHYyiYmGqVfat9JMAiDfexxnTfJaZKNDvTAnzPkF39sRAdSXFQQ4zFVGgzFZtNPEko6BOdxvwiNXcjreYKwQWY44FxdFsHzZkJetm-~~t1SHuixhNcemKWFhs8wnm-GYQpfCTwKQjm3lCdL0nhPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Stockton homeowner, Kimberly Graves, told the State Water Resources Control Board at public forum April 15 that California Water Service Company (Cal Water) is refusing to release water meters for her new construction project unless she installs a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) backflow device that she says is unnecessary under the cited regulations.

Graves read portions of cross‑connection guidance and Cal Water Rule 16 and said her property lacks the nonpotable sources that define a loop‑through hazard. She said her fire sprinkler system uses potable piping and the project was designed to meet the California Plumbing Code. Graves said the utility first told her she had a 3/4‑inch service and later claimed she had a 1‑inch meter; she said records and written notes contradict Cal Water’s actions and she is at risk of losing financing and defaulting on a loan if meters are not released.

Why it matters: The dispute raises questions about application of cross‑connection rules, meter installation practices and the process for resolving customer complaints with water utilities. Graves asked the board to have the Division of Drinking Water follow up and act as an intermediary with Cal Water; board staff said they would connect Graves with the division for further assistance.

Graves said she had consulted backflow experts and believes the device is not required under Cal Water’s Rule 16 and the California Plumbing Code; she also said one expert declined further work after Cal Water allegedly contacted him. Graves requested review of Cal Water’s enforcement and asserted discriminatory treatment.

Board staff responded in public forum that the Division of Drinking Water would follow up directly with Graves and Cal Water to try to resolve the customer complaint. No formal enforcement action was announced at the meeting.

","At public forum April 15, a Stockton resident and her family said California Water Service Company (Cal Water) is demanding an RPZ backflow device they contend is not required, withholding meters and threatening project financing.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268795,"Lanier community asks State Water Board to push Riverdale consolidation talks; legal tool under Health and Safety Code cited",331,3005000,3336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=3005&end=3336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_3005000.jpg","/articles/6268795/California/Lanier-community-asks-State-Water-Board-to-push-Riverdale-consolidation-talks-legal-tool-under-Health-and-Safety-Code-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268795-a1bdc58f871e36b4b45e2e80a0e65343/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=dh0OAMFd4dpXMFV0XRfYzRqtgRqSWHPbpfS0YPMislqr3rsvqJRMXjo1antwejyKhYnpRtqhfdzfuMz1pOBxexCVfAcefOObMxIgFvJ5BZPwynjQ5RZnh8Mmz0VNI~QEBAzV98ZZKnJeJafr-4EyBcdGRhuhFr1duJQT4UI3e0jDjkTdHS8PZYemg64fN9rfwJjI8doR2jz4rpG4vHqQj--hBGpn8oplD5wFJcDJYSLPpRxhgj0YxMUbkxuBJa3btKrwASpJyDNXTbl8~FqS6oO6wx6Xsb59MuejPIt13TaSLYL8VYFhnS61VfJQRIv3S-tglXc3mVBS9Ncn-rsNJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and legal counsel for the Lanier Community Services District asked the State Water Resources Control Board on April 15 to press for consolidation with nearby Riverdale Public Utility District, saying local negotiations have stalled and the community has longstanding water and governance problems.

Michael Claiborne, directing attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, told the board that Lanier has a long record of water-quality and governance issues, including a 2007 arsenic treatment plant that operated only six months due to operations and maintenance costs and a receivership ordered in 2010. Claiborne requested the board issue a letter under Health and Safety Code §116682 directing the parties to negotiate for six months to break an impasse with Riverdale.

Why it matters: Lanier’s drinking water system has been in receivership and is reliant on a single active well; counsel said consolidation with Riverdale was identified as the most feasible option in prior feasibility work but stalled for years. Counsel and community advocates urged the board to act to avoid long-term service failures and to coordinate with regional boards on wastewater service extension where appropriate.

Claiborne described prior studies and funding: two feasibility studies completed with state technical-assistance funding concluded consolidation is feasible and developed cost estimates; Riverdale wrote the board in February opposing both drinking water and wastewater consolidation. Claiborne said a state-board letter could unlock further progress and asked for action. Community members including Isabel Solorio and Leslie Martinez spoke in support, describing 14 years of chronic problems in Lanier and urging the board to prioritize consolidation.

State board staff said they would follow up and coordinate next steps with the parties and the regional board. No formal action was taken at the meeting.

","Representatives for Lanier Community Services District urged the State Water Board April 15 to use its authority under the Health and Safety Code to require six months of negotiations with Riverdale Public Utility District to consolidate drinking water and wastewater services.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268800,"State Water Board and DWR outline next phase of SGMA implementation, stress subsidence mitigation and outreach",5678,6080000,11758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9&start=6080&end=11758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3049937-c45846ab4b19c7cd34c7515c08e4afd9/thumbnail_6080000.jpg","/articles/6268800/California/State-Water-Board-and-DWR-outline-next-phase-of-SGMA-implementation-stress-subsidence-mitigation-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268800-296b74c45a7d02664bf8620538eb17eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145262&Signature=k-GYZ7pSFUubBt~RhWLNUb5pSvvkIyaWuhcIqLLnQw6YeP1s~8E53F9Q5dA7h3uEBM5tmiDLWPBHaGZKtJLqDQwIJJ1PuzZcynxGgyU-ElZrMXANHJXbTe75qtQqTNPk-DVyaox1LVqF9hRRurbai3YH7PUUTqyVkkNFLVIbxswZrCxeBlH6OIGlAChDR39tGLp7avSL-NiKS5F~hk~DYPRnoPoHuHbPEKM6pKVtn0WoCPVjoWBzQi6QtECYEqnALbNfPQ18vKyIHA5DoZj4F97afKl6zAB3A6OSaZ1I-s6Qg-Mna5XJhAkTZciirTj3bFLxn8-nHaNh70SpKaHFrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Water Resources Control Board staff and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) told the board April 15 that California is moving from planning into active implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), with new emphasis on subsidence, outreach to underrepresented groundwater users and the mechanics of extraction reporting.

The presentations, led by Natalie Stork, director of the board’s Office of Sustainable Groundwater Management, and Paul Gosselin, DWR deputy director for Sustainable Water Management, summarized recent probationary designations, described enhancements to the board’s Groundwater Extraction Annual Reporting System (GEERS), and previewed forthcoming guidance and potential regulations on subsidence and on depletion of interconnected surface water.

Why it matters: SGMA requires local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to achieve sustainability within 20 years. Where local plans are found inadequate, the State Water Board can place basins on probation and, if necessary, develop interim plans. The board emphasized that state involvement is intended as a temporary backstop while local agencies correct deficiencies.

Board staff reviewed the six critically overdrafted basins initially referred for state action — Tulare Lake, Tule, Kern County, Cahuilla, Chowchilla, and Delta Mendota — and noted Pleasant Valley in Fresno County was referred more recently. Staff said Tulare Lake actions are currently suspended due to litigation; Tule is under probation and non-exempt extractors began measuring extractions January 1, 2025. Other basins are at varying stages of revision, outreach and technical updates, with Kern County’s continued probationary hearing set for Sept. 17, 2025.

On reporting and fees, staff described GEERS upgrades and user tools. Amanda Howery and Amanda Pearson summarized the reporting workflow: extractors who are not de minimis must register wells in GEERS, report monthly extraction totals in acre-feet, identify measurement methods, and will receive invoices after filing. For probationary basins, staff noted current fee levels of $300 per well plus $20 per acre-foot, while reiterating some households and extractors may be exempt or qualify for waivers. Board staff said fees generally are not collected until more than a year after a probationary designation, allowing time for reporting and appeals.

A major focus was subsidence. DWR and board staff said subsidence remains one of the central drivers of SGMA and that forthcoming guidance and likely regulations will clarify expectations for GSAs. Paul Gosselin said the guidance will not create new statutory authority but will “clarify the intent” of SGMA’s subsidence language and recommend steps such as targeted monitoring corridors and coordination with infrastructure owners. Staff emphasized the need for GSAs to expand outreach to counties, public works departments, water districts, and other infrastructure owners when assessing subsidence impacts.

Board staff also stressed gaps they saw across many GSPs: inconsistent outreach to small growers, domestic well users, tribes and language communities; incomplete monitoring networks; and inadequate descriptions of management actions. Staff highlighted mitigation programs that GSAs are developing, noting successful programs advertise broadly, provide timely emergency response (for example 24-hour bottled water service and 72-hour tanked water service), and simplify applications. Several GSAs have committed specific mitigation budgets; Kaweah was cited for a $5.8 million annual mitigation budget funded by GSAs.

Public commenters and local representatives emphasized equity and implementation. Derek Juracek, chair of the Kern County Subbasin Coordination Committee, said his basin expects to submit an amended GSP by the June 20, 2025 deadline and continues community outreach with pop-up events and multilingual materials. Angela Islas of the Central California Environmental Justice Network urged prioritizing mitigation for domestic wells and coordinating with the SAFER program so households are not left waiting on limited emergency funds. Tian Tran urged “real demand management” and concrete pumping limits.

Board members praised staff and DWR for collaboration and asked detailed questions about the subsidence guidance, outreach to nontraditional stakeholders and the timetable for folding new guidance into plans and periodic evaluations. Staff said periodic evaluations will continue (GSAs submit them and staff will review) and that basins will be phased into any new requirements with technical assistance to reduce the risk of failure.

The board took no formal regulatory action at the meeting; the item was informational. Staff said they will release guidance drafts, schedule workshops and continue to coordinate with GSAs, DWR and community groups as implementation proceeds.","State Water Board staff and Department of Water Resources officials briefed the board April 15 on implementation progress for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, highlighting probationary basins, meter/reporting requirements, mitigation program design and upcoming guidance on subsidence and depletion of interconnected surface water.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts April 2 meeting minutes and three uncontested items

Restore the Delta urges board not to delay Delta Conveyance hearing and to adopt strong Title VI response

Community Water Center urges State Water Board to direct emerging‑contaminant funds to disadvantaged and rural communities

Stockton project owners allege Cal Water improperly withheld meters over backflow device demand

Lanier community asks State Water Board to push Riverdale consolidation talks; legal tool under Health and Safety Code cited

State Water Board and DWR outline next phase of SGMA implementation, stress subsidence mitigation and outreach