Drought Fears, Climate Change Planning Drive State Assembly Approval of Bill to Save Billions of Gallons of Water Annually

New Requirement for More Efficient Toilets Would Position California as National Leader

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today announced the State Assembly passed by a vote of 46-25 AB 715, a bill that would require all new construction to use more efficient toilets.  The new requirements would yield savings of 8 billion gallons of water by the tenth year of implementation—surpassing the total amount of bottled water consumed by Americans in all of 2005.  The new standards are expected to save California 200 million gallons of water in the first year alone, enough water to fill 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

“With statewide snow levels 71% below normal this year, the effects of climate change are not a concept of the future, they’re a reality of today,” said Assemblymember Laird.  “Water conservation is the quickest, cheapest way to manage our water supply.  Taking advantage of high-efficiency toilet technology that is already on the market will help us save billions of gallons of water and make California the national leader in water conservation.”

Water conservation is considered a key strategy in addressing global warming because the movement of water is the single greatest consumer of electricity in California , the generation of which creates greenhouse gas emissions.  The Pacific Institute estimates 19% of California ’s electricity is consumed by water systems as water is pumped over hundreds of miles in California , treated, pressurized, flushed and eventually discharged to the ocean.

AB 715 would set new water flush volume standards by making use of existing high-efficiency toilet technology, including 111 toilet models produced by 24 manufacturers and 34 models of urinals produced by nine manufacturers.  All new homes, schools, office buildings and other construction would be required to utilize high-efficiency toilets.  Beginning in 2010 the legislation will require all toilets sold in California to meet the new flush standards.

The average Californian uses an estimated 70 to 80 gallons of water a day indoors.  Toilets account for approximately one-third of all residential indoor use, more than any other indoor source of water.

The bill will now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Mr. Laird is a leader on climate change and water conservation-related legislation, carrying bills including:

AB 1058—Green Buildings

This bill requires development of green building guidelines for new residential construction in California .  The guidelines will emphasize best practices that utilize energy, water and materials efficiently throughout a home’s life cycle, as well as enhance indoor air quality and incorporate environmentally preferable products.  After a two year demonstration period, the guidelines would go through the California Building Standards Commission for inclusion as (mandatory) building standards.

AB 1066—Local planning for sea level rise

The bill requires the Resources Agency to assist local coastal cities and counties along the coast by providing information regarding projections for and impacts from sea level rise level associated with climate change.  The bill also requires coastal cities and counties to consider the impacts of sea level rise impacts when updating local planning documents.

AB 1404—Water Measurement

This bill requires state agencies to develop a coordinated database of urban and agricultural water use, and requires agricultural water suppliers to report their monthly water use information to the state.  AB 1404 will streamline the water use reporting system to reduce the burden on those reporting the information and allow for a more useful data system.

AB 1420—Urban Water Conservation

The intent of this bill is to use water as efficiently as possible in urban areas by increasing the implementation of urban water conservation measures.  The bill requires, as a condition of eligibility for state grants, that urban water suppliers implement the water conservation measures.