California: A ‘Water Tax’ Is Looking Increasingly Likely

The Colorado River / Image via Shutterstock. This post initially appeared in the Feb. 8 Sacramento Report.

The Legislature looks increasingly likely to impose a statewide tax to fund more water projects.

In the past five years, California voters have approved over $10 billion in statewide bonds to fund water projects, some in areas could not otherwise afford to improve their own water systems.

Now, faced with perhaps several million Californians who still lack access to safe and affordable water, the Legislature looks increasingly likely to impose a statewide tax to fund more water projects.

In a legislative hearing last week, Wade Crowfoot, the new director of the state’s Natural Resources Agency, said Gov. Gavin Newsom wants a solution this year to this “crisis” this year.

Right now, some rural districts don’t have the right equipment to ensure water is safe and paying for that equipment would increase rates so much their residents couldn’t afford the water.

Unlike most of the bond money, money from a new “water tax” could be used for ongoing operations and repairs. Even communities that get a new water treatment plant thanks to bond money still lack the money to keep it running.

Crowfoot said the state could also […]

Full article: A ‘Water Tax’ Is Looking Increasingly Likely

More about a potential “water tax” in California:

First-ever water tax proposed to tackle unsafe drinking water in California