Board adopts FY2025–26 SAFER Fund Expenditure Plan, boosts technical assistance and operation & maintenance targets

The State Water Resources Control Board unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 Fund Expenditure Plan (FEP) for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (part of the SAFER program) during the November 4 meeting.

What the plan does: the FEP allocates the state’s drinking‑water funding priorities for the year across multiple program areas: technical assistance, interim solutions, planning and construction for failing public water systems, operation and maintenance assistance, domestic well and small water system support, pilot programs and program administration. The FEP also reflects funding available from other SAFER sources (drinking water SRF, general obligation bonds, greenhouse gas‑related accounts) and shows targets consistent with the department’s program priorities to serve small disadvantaged communities and low‑income…