Existing law establishes the State Water Resources Control Board and states the intent of the Legislature that the state board administer the water rights, water quality, and drinking water functions of the state government to provide for coordinated consideration of water rights, water quality, and safe and reliable drinking water. Existing law provides to the state board any powers that may be necessary or convenient for the exercise of its duties authorized by law. Existing law establishes 9 California regional water quality control boards to coordinate with the state board with respect to water quality control matters. Existing law, the California Safe Drinking Water Act, requires the board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health.

This bill would require the state board, before taking actions that impact an action that significantly impacts drinking water, to identify potential adverse human health effects that the proposed action may have on minority and low-income populations use existing information to identify impacted disadvantaged communities and to seek to reduce those effects impacts to those communities to the greatest extent practicable. The bill would also require the board to ensure that disadvantaged communities are provided an opportunity to participate in the public process for a decision that significantly impacts drinking water by holding a public hearing in or near an impacted community.