■ Measures address management, climate change, conservation

Three water measures introduced by state Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, have cleared the Senate floor and are headed for the state Assembly.

Wolk, who represents Benicia, said the bills are designed to improve water management, combat the effects of the severe drought and climate change and conserve the state’s water supplies.

Her Senate Bill 555, which passed by a 33-2 vote, is a measure that would reduce water loss from leaks and breaks in urban water suppliers’ distribution systems, and would require the agencies to conduct annual water loss audits.

“SB 555 will help water agencies stop needless water losses by detecting leaks and weaknesses in water distribution systems,” Wolk said.

“Stopping leaks and addressing weaknesses in water systems will increase water supply reliability, reduce the energy used to move and treat water and improve infrastructure longevity.”

A second bill, Senate Bill 552, would direct the State Water Resources Control Board to develop specific strategies to address drinking water needs in disadvantaged communities. It passed 29-5.

Wolk said it was shameful that thousands of residents don’t have access to safe, basic water services.

“In times of scarce water such as the current drought, many of these same Californians have no water at all,” she said.

“SB 552 asks the State Water Resources Control Board to make a concerted and focused effort to effectively and comprehensively address the current and emerging drinking water needs in our state so that all Californians have access to safe water.”

Her third bill, Senate Bill 551, addresses water and energy efficiency, and passed 25-8.

“Water and energy are inextricably linked in California,” Wolk said. “Energy generation demands water, and water treatment and delivery requires significant amounts of energy.”

She said both climate change and California’s growing population put increasing strain on the state’s resources.

“We must make every effort to ensure these resources are used efficiently and that our policies recognize the interconnected nature of water and energy,” she said.

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