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Water agencies press for forecasting, recycled‑water rules and major infrastructure funding as subsidence risks grow
Summary
Department of Water Resources described new forecasting investments, requested state capacity to replace lost federal forecasting resources, sought implementation funding for SB31 recycled‑water rules, and warned that subsidence and Delta levee repairs could cost billions; senators discussed SB872 for long‑term subsidence and levee funding.
The Department of Water Resources told a Senate subcommittee it is investing in improved forecasting and asked the Legislature to backfill federal forecasting capacity while it implements recycled‑water rules and addresses long‑term infrastructure risks.
DWR Director Carla Namath said reservoirs were near 120% of average even as statewide snowpack fell well short of historical norms, and described a suite of forecasting improvements that incorporate soil moisture, geologic variability and modeling that better account for warming conditions.
Laura Hollander, deputy director for flood management, described a budget change proposal to add 15 positions and $9.5 million ongoing to build state forecasting capacity and to support manual snow surveys at 267 stations. Hollander said federal reductions in National Weather Service staff have hampered the state's forecasting partnerships and that the proposed positions would allow DWR to maintain statutory forecasting responsibilities.
On recycled water, the Board and DWR described implementation needs for SB31: the State Water Board requested four ongoing positions and limited‑term support to update the Title 22 water recycling regulations; DWR said it typically takes about two years to complete rulemaking and that permitting can proceed before regulations are finalized.
Senator Tim McNerney and others raised the issue of subsidence and Delta levees. Namath said preliminary department estimates put the order‑of‑magnitude cost to repair State Water Project conveyance and address subsidence at roughly $3–4 billion, with longer‑term Delta levee and conveyance repairs discussed in a separate plan (Sen. McNerney's SB872 was mentioned during public comment). DWR recommended prioritizing projects that protect lives, property and statewide water supply and noted funding mechanisms can require local cost share, which may leave some reclamation districts unable to meet match requirements.
Public commenters and water interests urged full funding for snow‑survey and forecasting programs, SAFER drinking‑water investments, SB31 implementation and investment in Delta levees and subsidence remediation.
