Asm. Dodd Seeks to Improve Reliability of State Water Supply with New Bill

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) introduced new legislation that would help create a more robust water market and improve the ability of the state to meet the growing demand for water supply reliability and healthy ecosystems. The bill, known as the Open and Transparent Water Data Act, would create a water transfer information clearinghouse providing a platform for which water data is shared across the state. This marks an important first step to move California toward a more effective and flexible water management system.

"The drought has revealed California needs a modern water information system to address the state's water supply," said Assemblymember Dodd. "The state does not suffer from a lack of water data, but from a lack of usable water data needed to make smart decisions. This bill will create instant and accessible water information that will better enable water managers to cope with current and future drought conditions."

"I would like to acknowledge Assemblymember Dodd's leadership on this important aspect of water data collection and management. I also appreciate his willingness to continue working with the water community to refine and improve upon the proposal," said Grant Davis, General Manager of the Sonoma County Water Agency. "The value of creating a statewide clearinghouse is that it allows us to make informed decisions based on data that already exist but are currently out of reach."

California has a number of databases containing information on hydrology, biology, water quality, the physical environment, and water use. Unfortunately, water managers have been unable to easily access the growing amount of information to make timely and science-based decisions that will lead California to a more sustainable water future.

"California's current water transfer market is inefficient," said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Bay Area Council. "With the right market signals, water agencies and private capital will want to invest in conservation and improvement of our water delivery system. California leads the world in developing new and innovative technologies. It's time to take the first step and invest in a better water information system."

The Act will improve access to important data by creating a statewide water data information system to integrate critical water data in a user friendly, publicly accessible website. The Act will also develop open-data protocols for data sharing, transparency, documentation, and quality control that will avoid misunderstandings, reduce disputes, and increase the effectiveness of management decisions.