Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update - August 2025
As we move into the final stretch of the California legislative season, significant developments in Sacramento continue to shape our water supply construction policies and strategies. This month, we highlight new federal legislation, free training resources, and upcoming events covering important industry topics.
Our goal is to keep you informed and prepared with insights that matter most to California builders, contractors, and stakeholders.
Here’s what you’ll find inside this month’s update:
🔹 Delta Conveyance Legislation
The trailer bill supporting the construction of the Delta Conveyance Project remains active during the August recess. A vote may still occur before September 12.
🔹 Federal Clean Water Act Reforms
Proposed federal legislation could reshape permitting and Clean Water Act enforcement following the Sackett decision.
🔹 Free Training Opportunity
Stormwater Awareness Week is coming in September, offering free classes for construction stormwater managers and site personnel.
🔹 CICWQ at CASQA 2025
Our advocacy team will present at the CASQA Annual Conference, calling for needed changes to the Construction General Permit.
📢 Stay engaged. Each item below links to more details, resources, and opportunities to take action. Your participation strengthens CICWQ’s ability to advocate on your behalf.
AUGUST NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
🚧 Delta Conveyance Bill Still in Play During August Recess
A huge thank you to the many companies and individuals joining the CICWQ petition sent to Governor Newsom and Assembly and Senate Leaders in July to support the construction of the Delta Conveyance Project.
According to multiple news and information sources, the bill is still under consideration, and the legislature may vote on it before the end of the current legislative session, which ends on September 12, 2025. It’s also been reported that the bill could be revisited in a special session or in the next legislative session, which begins in January 2026.
📜 Proposed Federal Clean Water Act Reforms After Sackett
Our readers should be aware of proposed U.S. House of Representatives legislation introduced in June 2025 concerning amendments to the Clean Water Act. H.R. 3898, Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today Act (Permit Act), would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) to make targeted reforms concerning waters of the United States and other matters, and for other purposes, according to the bill title summary.
Several construction and building industry interests support the bill, including the National Association of Homebuilders.
👇 Read their latest review of the bill and key points of interest.
👇 Also, we’ve included the latest text of the bill and bill analysis.
🎓 Free Training: Stormwater Awareness Week 2025
Storm Water Awareness Week (SWAW) is a unique, week-long annual training event that is entirely free for everyone involved. It was originally established by stormwater management professionals working in California as a means to share information and educate the stormwater professional community, and has moved nationwide.
SWAW started and continues to be a grass-roots effort, consisting of everyone working in the stormwater management profession who wants to develop content and provide training classes to interested parties. Classes begin on September 22 and run through September 26, 2025.
🤝 CICWQ Advocating for CGP Changes at CASQA Conference
The Construction General Permit (CGP), which was last renewed in 2022, requires that when a new property owner of a construction site undergoing development applies for CGP coverage following a property sale, the risk assessment R Factor must include time calculations for a prior owner’s construction activity.
A new property owner/permittee seeking CGP coverage must use the original project location start date (R Factor) to calculate the Risk Level (1 to 3) when a property is sold from an existing owner and permit holder (who has filed a Notice of Termination (NOT)) to a new owner who is applying for CGP coverage. The Risk Level of a project is a MAJOR site development cost factor for any public or private project owner.
Leading up to permit adoption and since, the construction industry and many other CGP stakeholders have noted the inability to change the R-Factor as a problematic provision. Some have even suggested it could be unlawful and contradict CGP requirements for permit coverage relative to risk.
CICWQ representatives, Mark Grey and Russ Foster, who both serve on the CGP Training Team for the State, have been selected by the California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) to deliver a presentation at its annual conference in Pasadena in September 2025, advocating for the R-Factor adjustment in complying with the CGP requirements.
📣 Attend the conference to support smart CGP reform and hear from our experts firsthand.
