BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1482
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 28, 2009
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Jared William Huffman, Chair
AB 1482 (Anderson) - As Amended: April 20, 2009
SUBJECT : Department of Water Resources: water softener study
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to
study, in consultation with the Pacific Water Quality
Association, whether the Legislature should establish a rating
system to measure the efficiency levels of self-regenerating
water softener systems, and authorizes DWR to fund the study
from private sources.
EXISTING LAW requires DWR to prepare and update the California
Water Plan every 5 years.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : In recent years, there has been much controversy
surrounding the use of water softeners and their effect on water
supplies and water quality, particularly in regard to the
salinity levels of recycled water. AB 1462 would require DWR to
conduct a study of the efficiency levels of self-regenerating
water softener systems as an alternative to proposed limitations
or regulations regarding the use of self-regenerating water
softener systems.
In response to concerns about the state's progress on recycled
water, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) adopted a
statewide policy, in order to encourage greater use of recycled
water. The SWRCB's policy includes requirements for regional
salt management plans, as increased salt loads in the source
water makes recycling more difficult. Salinity discharges to
the state's rivers and streams, from both urban and agricultural
sources, also have received increased attention in recent years,
particularly in the burgeoning Central Valley. The Central
Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has reduced
allowable urban salt discharges to address this problem,
although saline drainage off the Westside of the San Joaquin
Valley remains a problem.
The Water Recycling Act of 1991 set a 2010 target for California
to use one million acre-feet of recycled water. While there is
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no definitive calculation of the amount of recycled water use,
recent estimates suggest 600-700,000 acre-feet of current use.
The most recent California Water Plan estimates future recycled
water use at between 900,000 and 1.4 million acre-feet - in
2030. This likely failure to meet the 2010 target has been
attributed to several factors, including inconsistent regional
water quality board regulation. After the state did not meet
the 2000 target of 700,000 acre-feet of recycled water use, the
Legislature created a task force to examine, among other things,
state and local regulations that limit the use of recycled
water. The 2003 Recycled Water Task Force (Task Force) report
made the following recommendation:
Local agencies should be empowered to regulate the
discharge of residential water softeners in the same manner
as other sources of discharge into sewers. Legislation
should be proposed to amend the Health and Safety Code
Sections 116775 through 116795 to reduce the restrictions
on the local ability to impose bans on or more stringent
standards for residential water softeners.
In response to this Task Force recommendation, several bills
have been introduced recently in an attempt to further regulate
the discharge of salt from residential water softeners.
Notably, AB 2270 (Laird / 08), vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger
would have authorized local regulation of salinity inputs,
particularly water softeners. This session, AB 1366 (Feuer)
would also authorize local regulation of water softeners to
limit salinity inputs.
In support of AB 1482, the author cites a December 2008 report
(report) from the Water Quality Association and Pacific Water
Quality Association focusing on the "advantages of
high-efficient softeners". The report argues that water
softeners are "enabling technology" such as tankless water
heaters, whose largest market is California, and "[help] other
appliances run more efficiently." The report also argues that
soft water extends the life of textiles, pipes, and appliances,
keeping larger amounts of waste out of California's crowded
landfills. The report estimates that by replacing older "low
efficient" softeners with self-regenerating water softener
systems could save two billion gallons of water and 175,000 tons
of salt per year.
It should be noted, however, that there are several "salt-free"
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water softeners currently available as an alternative to
traditional water softener technology that use carbon
filtration, electronic frequency or other technology in lieu of
salts, while offering similar benefits to traditional water
softeners.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support : None submitted
Opposition : None submitted
Analysis Prepared by : Lindsey Scott-Florez / W., P. & W. /
(916) 319-2096