San Diego Spurs Conversation About True Cost of State’s Water Regulations

September 29th, 2015 by Fiedler Group

Amidst effective water quality treatment and diminishing solution returns, San Diego reports new California regulations designed to clean water may cost the city $4 billion across the next 17 years.

Experts indicate the state’s new standards are impossible to meet regardless of the cost and further note the government and industry has already addressed 95 percent of water quality problems via enhanced sewage treatment and prior stormwater runoff regulations.

Though regulators agree the standards are quite high so that there is a forced action, regulators are simultaneously demonstrating a side of flexibility and openness as cities work on their watershed plans.

While the City’s estimate represents only the governments spend, businesses and consumers are expected to spend billions more for other clean water preventative measures.

Residential stormwater costs are already quite low — at 95 cents — but are expected to increase to over $11 per month.

Local elected officials have proposed borrowing money to address the latest water standards, rather than further raising taxes.

Mayor-elect Kevin Faulconer has indicated the City will be able to borrow $900 million from other accounts without borrowing or implementing new taxes — and ultimately not burdening future business and consumers.

The new water regulations were crafted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board — a state agency tasked with regulating water quality.

The Board implemented a series of numeric targets for bacterial, dirt, and chemical levels that cities now have two years to craft a compliance plan for.

Related, the San Diego County Copermittees developed a Model BMP Design Manual for the San Diego Region to conform to new development requirements of the 2013 Municipal Storm Water Permit.

The new manual replaces the current Countywide Plan when it goes into effect as early as December 26, 2015.

It provides procedures for planning, selecting and designing on site structural BMPs for new development and significant redevelopment projects in accordance with Provision E.3 of Order No. R9-2013-0001.

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