Chamber Business Advocacy Committee votes to recommend support of Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018

The Oxnard Chamber of Commerce’s Business Advocacy Committee voted to recommend support the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018, which would require the state to sell $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds to fund water projects across the state.  Citing a need for safe and reliable water supply for drinking and industrial and agriculture uses that are critical to a healthy local economy, the Committee unanimously voted in support of the proposal. 

Improvements in water quality, local watersheds, and water supply diversification all allow our economy to group and flourish. The City of Oxnard’s public recreation and tourism industry would benefit from restoration funding including $135 million for the Coastal Conservancy and $10 million specifically for the Santa Clara River for water quality, public recreation, and restoration projects. Business in general would also benefit from Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (“SGMA”) implementation and groundwater desalination funding, as groundwater is a huge source of water for the City. When these projects are not funded through state bond grant funds, new projects critical for water suppliers either don’t occur or the bill is passed onto ratepayers. Oxnard will also benefit from investments in Delta fish habitat and water conservation to increase water supply flowing through the state water project.

The Chamber Board of Directors will take up the issue at its June Board meeting to determine whether it will take a position.

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