Water Quality and Supply Issues Monthly Update - September 2025
As summer winds down and fall begins, we look ahead to the final stretch of 2025. The months ahead will be critical for our industry as we face new water quality regulations, legislative actions, and supply updates that directly impact construction.
At CICWQ, we remain focused on keeping you informed and advocating on your behalf.
📌 This month, we bring you important updates:
📝 Stormwater Permit Advocacy at CASQA
CICWQ leaders presented at the CASQA Annual Conference, pushing for changes to the Construction General Permit’s R-Factor requirement.
🎓 Free Training: Stormwater Awareness Week
A full week of no-cost training sessions for construction stormwater managers and site personnel, September 22–26.
⚖️ SB 601 Moves to Two-Year Bill
Legislation to rewrite California water quality law has been delayed, but is expected to resurface in 2026.
💧 California Water Supply Update
DWR signals drier forecasts ahead. Learn how to track precipitation, reservoirs, and water conditions with California Water Watch.
👉 Stay informed, get involved, and take advantage of the resources and events available this month.
SEPTEMBER NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
1️⃣ Advocating Stormwater Permit Reforms at CASQA
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 and since the adoption of the permit, 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 that it could be unlawful and contradict CGP requirements for permit coverage in relation 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.
2️⃣ Free Training Opportunity: Stormwater Awareness Week
Storm Water Awareness Week (SWAW) is a unique, week-long annual training event that is completely 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.
3️⃣ SB 601 Delayed as a Two-Year Bill
CICWQ, along with numerous other public works, utilities, and local governmental organizations in California, opposed the passage of SB 601 (Allen), which would have essentially rewritten California water quality law. Fortunately, the bill did not move from the Senate to the Assembly floor and is now assigned as a two-year bill. This is a positive outcome for now, but we can expect it to return in the second year of the legislative session in 2026. Stay tuned.
4️⃣ California Water Supply Update: Summer 2025
The Department of Water Resources hasn’t released an official forecast for winter 2025-26 yet, but all indications suggest that the agency is planning for less precipitation than in previous years. In the meantime, we urge our readers to review California Water Watch, which is a comprehensive water tracking (records and forecasting) website maintained by the California Department of Water Resources. The website enables users to track nine different elements of the hydrologic cycle, including precipitation and reservoir levels across the state, daily.
