September Water Update: SB 601 and Stormwater Training
As California enters the back-to-school season, September is a timely opportunity to invest in the knowledge, training, and policy awareness that keep projects moving forward. This month, CICWQ is sharing two valuable stormwater education opportunities, along with an important legislative update from Sacramento that affects the construction and public works communities.
Here’s what you need to know in September:
🎓 Prepare for the 2026 CASQA Annual Conference
Join stormwater professionals, regulators, public agencies, and industry leaders in Sacramento, October 26–28, for training, technical discussions, and timely updates on Construction General Permit compliance.
💧 Free Stormwater Awareness Week Training Begins September 21
Explore free, practical training sessions for construction stormwater managers and site personnel during this nationwide, practitioner-led week of education.
🏛️ SB 601 Does Not Advance in 2026
SB 601, a measure opposed by CICWQ and a broad coalition of construction, public works, utility, and local government organizations, was held in Assembly Appropriations. Still, stakeholders should remain attentive as similar legislation may return in 2027.
👇 Take a few minutes to explore each update below, register for the training opportunities that support your team, and stay connected with CICWQ for the water-quality and legislative developments that matter to California’s construction industry.
SEPTEMBER NEWSWORTHY ITEMS
1️⃣ CASQA Annual Conference to be held in Sacramento October 26-28, 2026
The 22nd annual California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Conference will be held October 26-28 at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. The Conference annually attracts more than 1.200 attendees from a wide range of public works agencies and industries and disciplines supporting the advancement of stormwater management, compliance, science, and engineering. The conference features multiple days of training, technical discussions, and exhibits addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in stormwater quality management and compliance. This includes focused sessions on the California Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater, where expert practitioners and state regulators address timely compliance and enforcement issues and look ahead to the next CGP renewal, scheduled to begin in 2027. CICWQ is a member of CASQA and encourages our readers to attend the Conference in 2026.
2️⃣ Free Training Alert for Construction Stormwater Managers and Site Personnel – Stormwater Awareness Week
Storm Water Awareness Week (SWAW) is a unique, week-long annual training event that is completely free for everyone involved. Stormwater management professionals in California originally established it to share information and educate the stormwater professional community, and it has since spread nationwide. SWAW started as, and remains, a grassroots effort made up of everyone in the stormwater management profession who wants to develop content and provide training classes to interested parties. Classes begin on September 21 and run through September 25, 2026. Learn more about SWAW and specific free training class offerings.
3️⃣ SB 601 (Allen) Held in Assembly Appropriations Committee and Fails to Advance in 2026
Great news for the construction industry and a range of municipal and public works interests that opposed the proposed water quality legislation: SB 601 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August 2026, failed to advance, and is dead for now. CICWQ, along with many other public works, utilities, and local governmental organizations in California, opposed passage of SB 601 (Allen), which would have essentially rewritten California water quality law. Fortunately, the bill languished in various committees, failed to gain support from the Newsom administration and CalEPA, and was designated as a two-year bill after the 2025 legislative session. This is a good outcome for now, but our construction industry legislative advocates expect it to return at the beginning of the next legislative session in 2027. Continue to stay updated.
