10-23-2023 RPT 01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WATER I ENERGY L[ F E lag PUBLIC UTILITIES October 17, 2023 State Water Resources Control Board 1001 Street, 24th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 Submitted via e-mail to commentletters@waterboards.ca.gov and orrp- waterconservation@waterboards.ca.gov RE: Comment Letter - Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life Dear Chair Esquivel: The City of Riverside appreciates the opportunity to submit comments to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) regarding the proposed regulatory framework for Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life. This process will result in a landmark decision for urban water purveyors and the State Water Board's willingness to consider feedback from agencies and stakeholders across the state is greatly appreciated. Riverside shares the State Water Board's goal of developing policies to ensure California's water supplies will always meet the needs of all California residents, businesses, agriculture as well as the environment. Riverside supports Governor Newsom's California Water Supply Strategy as a framework to not only increase water use efficiencies, but also expand and enhance water supplies through new storage projects (surface and aquifer) as well as increasing the value and uses of recycled water. The City of Riverside (a Charter City) is the county seat, and largest city in growing Riverside County, with its own water, wastewater, and electric utilities. The City has provided high quality services for more than 100 years and currently to a population of over 300,000. Approximately 102,400 of Riverside's residents, or 34% of Riverside's population, falls below 200% of the 2020 Federal Poverty Level. In response to growing water demands in the early 2000's, Riverside invested in infrastructure and facilities to expand its groundwater production and treatment capacities to eliminate the need for imported water deliveries, except for emergencies. Along with its own aggressive water efficiency programs, Riverside has been self-sufficient using only local water sources since 2009. Riverside has also met and exceeded its targeted water use requirements under SB X7-7. It is this spirit of stewardship in which the following comments are submitted to request amendments for the proposed measures. The comments and recommendations are categorized into two sections: Regulation Consequences and Regulation Details. Riverside Public Utilities I RiversidePublicUtilities.com