Bill > S2869

This bill provides for the establishment of sustainable water resource funds by municipalities and regional governments. The key provisions include: 1. Allowing cities, towns, water districts, wastewater districts, stormwater utilities, or statutory authorities to collect a reasonable fee to be used exclusively for measures to remedy and offset the impacts of new or increased water withdrawals, sewering, wastewater discharges, stormwater discharges, or groundwater depletion on the natural environment. These measures can include local recharge of stormwater and wastewater, redundant water sources, reductions in drinking water system losses, water treatment, water reuse, removal of sewer infiltration and inflow, water conservation, and land acquisition for water resource protection. 2. Requiring the designated board, commission, or official to deposit the collected fees into separate "Sustainable Water Resource Funds" for drinking water, wastewater, or stormwater, which can also receive other public and private funding sources, and expend the funds without further appropriation. 3. Allowing the municipality or regional government to revoke its acceptance of this section, with any remaining funds to be expended in a manner consistent with the section.