The Statewide Water Planning Program was established to update the California Water Plan, required every five years by the Water Code. The Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84) made funds available to implement a number of recommendations from California Water Plan Update 2005. These recommendations call for: 1) water stakeholder involvement and collaboration, 2) expanded regional outreach and coordination, 3) greater involvement of other State agencies in Water Plan preparation, 4) better information exchange and data management, 5) improved representation of environmental water, 5) expand water use data collection, and 6) improvement of analytical tools and methods for quantifying water scenarios for future conditions and water community response strategies.

These bond funds will be used to update the California Water Plan which provides a framework for water managers, legislators, and the public to consider options and make decisions regarding California’s water future. As previously stated the Plan is updated every five years, and it presents basic data and information on California’s water resources including water supply evaluations and assessments of agricultural, urban, and environmental water uses to quantify the gap between water supplies and uses. The Plan also identifies and evaluates existing and proposed statewide demand management and water supply augmentation programs and projects to address the State’s water needs.

The goal for the California Water Plan Update is to meet Water Code requirements, receive broad support among those participating in California’s water planning, and be a useful document for the public, water planners throughout the state, legislators and other decision-makers.

Additional information on the Water Plan activities including scheduled public workshops and other events can be found on the California Department of Water Resources website.